Boston’s public library isn’t simply a place to borrow books. It’s a historical landmark. Rich with the city’s intellectual, educational and architectural past, it is more than just a home to millions of books. The library is imposing, its exterior a mix of granite blocks, copper cresting and metal masts. The interior is just as overwhelming with lavish marble and mosaics.

The Boston Public Library, or BPL, was founded in 1848 as America’s first major free municipal library. It offers a wide variety of special events and plays a major role in the city’s future through constant community involvement. Home to more than six million books, including 1.2 million rare books and manuscripts, 17,000 magazines, and invaluable original music scores, maps and artwork, the BPL has everything one might seek. A large part of Copley Square, it is composed of two interconnected structures.

The McKim Building is a monument in itself and is currently used to store research materials. Reflecting the classically-influenced style of American architecture in the nineteenth century, the building is kept open to the public both as a historical site and a functioning research library. Founded during the time of the then-innovative concepts of public education, it has a significant place in the educational history of our nation.

The Johnson Building is home to the circulating collection and branch headquarters. Born of the BPL’s need to expand in the mid-1900s, its modern architecture differs greatly from that of the original structure. While it is open and spacious, it is somewhat drearier than the McKim Building. It does, however, boast a seating capacity of 1,200 and open shelves of over 700,000 volumes.

BPL volunteer guides host free, hour-long historical and architectural tours, which also cover the works of sculptors and painters featured there. The library also plays a large part in the community by hosting nearly 4,000 free events open to the general public each year. Among them are book readings and signings, exhibits, films and workshops.

Note to visitors: Don’t leave the library without going through the McKim Building, and spending some time in Bates Hall, named after the nineteenth century banker who donated the library’s first large gift. Also be sure to check out the second floor, sanctuary-like Abbey Room, home to deep-colored murals and dark oak wainscoting. Keep in mind, because the BPL is a city library, you may find some rooms occupied by students who will surely appreciate a quiet atmosphere, and don’t be surprised to see lesser-fortunate individuals taking shelter during cold weather. While the MBTA’s green line stops practically at the BPL’s front door, several area parking garages offer reduced weekend rates.

 

Boston Public Library
Copley Square
Boylston Street
Boston, MA
(617) 536-5400
(617) 266-9320 TTY

Hours

General and Research Departments:

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Print, Rare Books/Manuscripts and Young Adults Departments:

Limited hours; call for details.

Admission

Free

MBTA Stop: Copley