News – Boston Public Library https://www.bpl.org Tue, 26 Oct 2021 14:32:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://cor-liv-cdn-static.bibliocommons.com/images/MA-BOSTON-BRANCH/favicon.ico News – Boston Public Library https://www.bpl.org 32 32 Boston Public Library Celebrates Native American Heritage Month with Inaugural “Native Lives, Native Stories” Booklist & Special Events https://www.bpl.org/news/boston-public-library-celebrates-native-american-heritage-month-with-inaugural-native-lives-native-stories-booklist-special-events/ Mon, 25 Oct 2021 16:25:12 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7201456 BOSTON, October 25, 2021—This November, Boston Public Library will honor Native American Heritage Month with its first annual “Native Lives, Native Stories” booklist and special events. The booklist features 63 works published in the last year concerning the experiences of the Native and Indigenous communities throughout North America. Copies are now available at all library locations, and the list also appears on the BPL website. Events will also be held including author talks and a book group discussion, and pieces from the BPL collection will be highlighted on social media throughout the month. 

Curated by staff librarians from the Central Library, the Connolly Branch, and the Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center, “Native Lives, Native Stories” is the BPL’s first booklist honoring Native American Heritage Month and will be published annually. The selected books are either by Native and Indigenous authors or about Native history and culture. The list features fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books for adults, teens, and children and includes a brief summary of each title and the BPL call number.  

Earlier this month, Mayor Kim Janey established the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day in Boston, following a collaboration with local Indigenous organizations. The historic move was a significant step toward recognizing Indigenous residents and increasing dialogue with local tribes to foster reconciliation and support for the rights of Indigenous people. 

"This year Boston celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day for the first time officially. We too are excited to publish our first dedicated booklist for Native American Heritage Month,” says BPL President David Leonard. "'Native Lives, Native Stories’ is one more way of demonstrating our commitment to equity, taking a fresh look at history, and implementing our institutional Racial Equity Commitment & Action Plan.” 

The BPL will also celebrate Native American Heritage Month with special author talks and a book discussion group. Award-winning author and Citizen of the Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts Larry Spotted Crow Mann will discuss his book Drumming & Dreaming, an inspiring and healing journey of Algonquian Tales of the Nipmuc Tribe. Afro-Indigenous historian Kyle T. Mays will also join the BPL in conversation about his book An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States, the first intersectional history of the Black and Native American struggle for freedom in our country that also reframes our understanding of who was Indigenous in early America. Other special events include an author talk by historian David J. Silverman (This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving) in honor of the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, and book group discussion of There There by Native author Tommy Orange. 

Notable items from the Library's collections depicting Native and Indigenous history and culture will be featured on BPL social media accounts throughout the month of November. These items include photographs of the Passamoquoddy Tribe from our Leslie Jones Collection, as well as a promised gift to the BPL of photographs taken by local activist John Willis, who dedicates his practice to documenting tribal sovereignty and resistance. We will also share daily recommendations from the Native Lives, Native Stories booklist on Twitter. Follow along on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. 

The Boston Public Library also produces curated booklists and holds educational and celebratory events for Black History Month in February, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June, and Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15). 

We would like to acknowledge the Massachusett Tribe. They are the tribe of Indigenous peoples from whom the Colony, Province, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts have taken their name. We pay our respects to the ancestral bloodline of the Massachusett Tribe and their descendants who still inhabit historical Massachusett Tribe territories to this day. 

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About the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY     

Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children’s room.     

The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.  

The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public.     

The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Kim Janey. To learn more, visit bpl.org.   

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Mayor Kim Janey, The Boston Public Library, and the Boston Book Festival to Hold Community Celebration for the Recently Renovated Roxbury Branch https://www.bpl.org/news/mayor-kim-janey-the-boston-public-library-and-the-boston-book-festival-to-hold-community-celebration-for-the-recently-renovated-roxbury-branch/ Tue, 19 Oct 2021 16:00:30 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7201182 BOSTON – October 19, 2021 – Mayor Kim Janey and the Boston Public Library (BPL) today announced a Community Celebration event will be held on Saturday, October 23rd for the recently renovated Roxbury Branch. The Roxbury Branch in Nubian Square (formerly Dudley) underwent a $17.2 million, 27,000 square foot renovation that began in November 2017 and was completed in October 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community was not able to come together and fully celebrate the completion of the new building until now. The BPL and the City of Boston will present a handful of interactive, family-friendly activities in partnership with the Boston Book Festival. These activities are made possible with the support of the Wagner Foundation. 

The event’s schedule includes: 

  • 11:00AM: Chalk Art with Zahirah Nur Truth   
    • Families are invited to join visual artist and art educator Zahirah Nur Truth for a participatory chalk art activity to help make the new Roxbury Branch in Nubian Square even more beautiful. 
  • 12:00PM: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Kim Janey   
    • To celebrate the newly remodeled and reopened Roxbury Branch in Nubian Square, Mayor Kim Janey will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and offer remarks about the role of the library in the Roxbury community. 
  • 1:00PM: Boston Education Activism tour with METCO   
    • Community members are welcome to celebrate the new Nubian Square headquarters for Boston’s METCO Program by taking a Boston Education Activism Tour (BEAT) of Nubian Square. High school students in METCO will take participants on a journey into Boston’s past to uncover the dynamic history of the Black community in Roxbury. These young people will use Nubian Square’s landmarks, from the Dillaway-Thomas  House to Hibernian Hall, to uncover the stories of decades of artistry, activism, and  achievement. The tour will culminate at the brand new Nubian Square headquarters of  METCO itself, whose founding story has many lessons for today. 
  • 1:00PM: Dream Street Story Time with Tricia Elam Walker & Ekua Holmes   
    • Families are invited to join authors Tricia Elam Walker and artist Ekua Holmes— both Roxbury natives– while they read their forthcoming picture book Dream Street, a love letter to growing up in this vibrant Boston neighborhood. 

The programming, design and construction of the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library in Nubian Square was managed by the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department, with consultation from the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, and architecture firm Utile, Inc. It was designed with the input of Nubian Square residents and the wider Roxbury community, and recently won an ALA/AIA Library Building Award. The renovation completely reimagined the space, including a new welcome area overlooking the redesigned plaza; improved visibility and openness; dedicated spaces for patrons of all ages – including a brand-new children’s corner; a prominently featured African-American collection space; a nutrition lab and a learning lab; a community room with state-of-the-art technology; new computer workspaces; and more. To learn more about the renovation and history of the Roxbury Branch in Nubian Square, please visit bpl.org/news. 

Additionally, King Boston is expected to have its local Roxbury Office at the Roxbury Branch later this year. The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) offers office hours at the branch where their staff provides information on technical and trade programs, financial aid, and career options to patrons and students of BFIT. The office hours take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The branch also has two long-term public art projects funded by the City's Percent for Art Program that are currently in the works. One is an original artwork by Joe Wardwell, in collaboration with local poet Nakia Hill and youth writers at the YLab at 826 Boston, that will be completely installed in November; and the second commission is an artwork by Jeremy "Sobek" Harrison and is currently in the design phase. 

The City’s FY22 budget includes major renovations to the Roslindale and Faneuil branches, design for a reimagining of the Fields Corner Branch, continued repair, renovation and master planning projects at the Central Library in Copley Square, planning activities for the Upham’s Corner and Chinatown Branches, and programming studies at the Codman Square, West End, and Egleston Square branches. These projects include community engagement to gain input, feedback, and insight from patrons and local organizations. More information on these additional projects can be found at apps.boston.gov/capital-projects.    

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Boston Public Library Launches Homework Assistance Program (HAP) for the 2021-2022 School Year https://www.bpl.org/news/hap-2021-2022/ Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:00:18 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7200824 Boston – September 24, 2021 – The Boston Public Library today announced that the Homework Assistance Program (HAP) has launched for the 2021-2022 school year. HAP is a free after-school program led by teen mentors that offers homework help, mentorship, and activities for students in grades K–8.  

“As we enter a new school year, the BPL is dedicated to helping students across the city succeed, both academically and personally,” said BPL President David Leonard. “HAP is designed to aid students as they face the unique set of opportunities and challenges that the 2021-2022 school year brings. We aim to create a safe space for young Bostonians to learn, and find mentors to help them. Our youth engagement services are critical as we continue to navigate and recover from the social impacts of COVID-19.” 

Sessions will take place Mondays – Thursdays, 3:30-5:30 pm and are open on a drop-in basis, registration is not required. Mentorship is available in Arabic, Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Vietnamese. See the full language schedule below. Students can join in-person at the following branches: Adams Street, Brighton, Codman Square, Connolly, East Boston, Egleston Square, Fields Corner, Grove Hall, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Lower Mills, Mattapan, Parker Hill, Roslindale, Roxbury, South End, and Uphams Corner, or online via Zoom from any location.  

There will be 55 homework assistance mentors in grades 10-12 spread across the branches, all trained by Harvard University’s Public School Partnerships team, the developers of SmartTALK. The goal of the program is to create both in-person and virtual spaces for students to work on homework with peers or to get extra guidance on assignments in any subject, from sciences to humanities.  

HAP is generously funded by Bain Capital Children’s Charity, Ernst & Young, M&T Charitable Foundation, The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Nasella, Eric & Jane Nord Family Fund, Red Sox Foundation, The TJX Foundation, Inc., and an anonymous donor. 

To learn more about the Homework Assistance Program, and other online homework help resources, visit bpl.org/homework. 


Language Schedule: 

Arabic  

  • East Boston: Monday, Wednesday 
  • Roxbury: Monday, Thursday  

Haitian Creole 

  • Egleston Sq: Tuesday, Thursday 
  • Hyde Park: Monday, Wednesday 
  • Mattapan: Tuesday, Thursday 

Spanish 

  • Connolly: Monday, Tuesday 
  • East Boston: Monday - Thursday 
  • Egleston Sq: Tuesday, Thursday 
  • Grove Hall: Monday, Tuesday 
  • Roxbury: Tuesday, Wednesday

Vietnamese 

  • Adams St: Monday - Thursday 
  • Brighton: Monday, Wednesday 
  • Codman Sq: Monday, Wednesday 
  • Fields Corner: Monday, Tuesday 
  • Hyde Park: Tuesday, Thursday
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Statement from the Boston Public Library: Technical Outage https://www.bpl.org/news/statement-technical-outage/ Fri, 27 Aug 2021 13:55:21 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7200112 Thursday, 9/2 Update:

ECard registration functions have now been restored. Patrons may now use the form at https://www.bpl.org/ecard to register or renew eCard accounts. 

  • eCard registrations attempted between August 23-25 need to be re-registered. If you attempted to register for a new eCard or to renew your existing eCard between Monday, August 23, and Wednesday, September 1st the transaction must be resubmitted. Please fill out the eCard form again at https://www.bpl.org/ecard.
  • For new eCards registered around the attack timeline, you'll receive a different eCard number. We will be in touch with you directly, but please contact websupport@bpl.org with any questions. 

Wednesday, 9/1 Update:

As the Boston Public Library continues recovery from the August 25th cyberattack that affected many of our systems, we are pleased to share that we have completed restoring key essential business functions, and will be returning additional patron-facing services today.

As of Wednesday, September 1, Boston Public Library patrons will once again be able to: 

In-person technology services are returning, including:

  • Public computers are being restored to service throughout the library system. Please call ahead to your preferred location to confirm the availability of public computers.
  • Catalog computers at all locations are online 
  • Public WiFi at all locations has been restored 
  • Public printing at all locations is back online 
  • Self-checkout stations are now online at all locations 

OverDrive/Libby holds were mainly frozen during this outage:  

We are currently working to release holds, which were frozen during the outage. Most users should find their OverDrive/Libby holds still in place, and OverDrive hold notifications are now being sent out.  

However, If patrons discover that they have missed a window to check out a hold on OverDrive/Libby, they can contact websupport@bpl.org with the following details: 

  • The title they placed on hold 
  • Their library card number  
  • The email address at which they were notified that the hold was ready 
  • The notice they received from OverDrive, if possible 

As always, users can request help with any other issues at https://www.bpl.org/contact-us/. 

For transactions that took place between the evening of Monday, August 23rd through the end of the day on Tuesday, August 24th: 

As our systems have come back on line, we were not able to recover some data from approximately the evening of Monday, August 23rd at 9pm through the end of the day on Tuesday, August 24th.  This means that:  

  • Patrons who had physical library cards issued to them on August 24 will need to bring those cards in so they can be reactivated.   
  • Any patron who updated their account between Monday 8/23 at 9PM and Wednesday 4AM will need to log back on and re-enter those changes.

Patrons who returned or checked out physical items during the outage may not see the items reflected on their account immediately. We appreciate your patience as we work to update transactions in our online system that were recorded by hand over the past few days. 

We are continuing to work on restoring eCard registration and services. More information will be coming shortly, specifically for patrons who registered for eCards between August 23-25, or those who are looking to register a new eCard. 

As always, we are grateful for the patience and support of our patrons. We look forward to returning to safe, secure, and complete service soon.   

Tuesday, 8/31 Update:

While our current outage is not yet fully resolved, our team is continuing to rebuild and securely restore our systems, assisted by an expert team of consultants. We are confident that we will be able to begin restoring in-person and online patron-facing services shortly. As of today, Tuesday, staff have begun to use our restored system to begin inputting transactions that were recorded by hand during the outage.  

Our current focus is on restoring our essential library business functions as well as the systems that staff and patrons use online and in person to look up and check out books, eBooks, and other materials. The following phase will be the restoration of public computing and printing systems at all locations. Public WiFi has already been restored. 

In addition to our technology partners, we are also working closely with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement. Because of this ongoing investigation, we will continue to limit the level of detail that we share publicly.

We appreciate all the support and patience we have received from our patrons, and we look forward to returning as many services as possible as quickly and safely as possible.

Friday, 8/27 Update:

On Wednesday morning, 8/25, the Boston Public Library experienced a systemwide technical outage due to a cybersecurity attack, pausing public computer and public printing services, as well as some online resources. Affected systems were taken offline immediately, and proactive steps were taken to isolate the problem and shutdown network communication. There is currently no evidence that sensitive employee or patron data has been disclosed. 

The library is working with the Mayor’s Department of Innovation and Technology and law enforcement officials to address the cybersecurity attack. The Library’s IT department is working on restoring all technology services, and in the meantime, all locations will remain open, patrons will still be able to check out books, and some online services remain operational. This is an ongoing situation and the library will update patrons and staff about services and impacts on its website. 

“We apologize for any inconvenience this outage may have caused patrons,” said Kurt Mansperger, Chief Technology Officer of the BPL. “Thank you for your patience as our team and law enforcement officials work to restore our digital services and protect the library from future attacks." 

Questions?

Patrons may contact the library with any questions at 617-536-5400 or ask@bpl.org

Press may contact Natasha Fee at news@bpl.org or 617-859-2348. 

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Boston Public Library to Host Free Rotating Ice Cream Trucks Outside Its Branch Locations for Two Weeks as Part of Mayor Janey’s Joy Agenda https://www.bpl.org/news/boston-public-library-to-host-free-rotating-ice-cream-trucks-outside-its-branch-locations-for-two-weeks-as-part-of-mayor-janeys-joy-agenda/ Fri, 20 Aug 2021 19:57:00 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7199998 BOSTON — August 20, 2021 The Boston Public Library will host free ice cream trucks outside its branch locations during the last two weeks of August as part of Mayor Janey’s Joy Agenda, an initiative to spread joy throughout the City of Boston. Two vendors, Super Star Ice Cream and Frosty Ice Cream, will go on a “BPL Joy Ride” to all currently open BPL locations Monday through Thursday, August 23–26, and again Monday through Friday, August 30 – September 3 to help patrons and community members keep cool and enjoy a free treat.

WHATBPL Joy Ride: Traveling Ice Cream Trucks Outside BPL Branches 

WHO: Super Star Ice Cream (August 23–26) and Frosty Ice Cream (August 30 – September 3) 

WHEN & WHERE: Branch staff will be available to direct patrons toward the parked ice cream trucks. Branch addresses can be found at bpl.org/locations.

Monday, August 23, 2021 – Super Star Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: Chinatown Branch 
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: North End Branch 
  • 4:00–5:00 pm: West End Branch 

Tuesday, August 24, 2021 – Super Star Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: Adams Street Branch 
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: Codman Square Branch 
  • 4:00–5:00 pm: Lower Mills Branch 

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 – Super Star Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: Roxbury Branch 
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: Parker Hill Branch 
  • 4:00–5:00 pm: South End Branch 

Thursday, August 26, 2021 – Super Star Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: Fields Corner Branch 
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: Uphams Corner Branch
  • 4:00–5:00 pm: Grove Hall Branch

Monday, August 30, 2021 – Frosty Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: Connolly Branch
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: Jamaica Plain Branch
  • 4:00–5:00 pm: Grove Hall Branch

Tuesday, August 31, 2021 – Frosty Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: East Boston Branch
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: Charlestown Branch
  • 4:00–5:00 pm: South Boston Branch

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 – Frosty Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: Hyde Park Branch
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: Mattapan Branch

Thursday, September 2, 2021 – Frosty Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–2:00 pm: Honan-Allston Branch
  • 2:30–3:30 pm: Brighton Branch
  • 4:00–5:00 pm: West Roxbury Branch

Friday, September 3, 2021 – Frosty Ice Cream 

  • 1:00–3:00 pm: Central Library in Copley Square
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Mayor Janey & Boston Public Library Announce Completion of $18.3 Million Reconstruction and Reopening of the Adams Street Branch https://www.bpl.org/news/adams-street-branch-reconstruction-reopening/ Sat, 31 Jul 2021 18:00:26 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7199750 BOSTON – July 31, 2021 – Mayor Kim Janey and the Boston Public Library (BPL) today celebrated the completed reconstruction of the Adams Street Branch. Starting on July 31st, the building will be open for limited in-person services, following an $18.3 million project that began in June 2019. The programming, design and construction were managed by the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department, with consultation from the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, architecture firm NADAAA, and J&J Contractors, Inc. To celebrate the opening, Mayor Janey, the BPL and the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department hosted a ribbon cutting at the newly completed branch. 

“I am thrilled that the new and improved Adams Street branch will once again provide an accessible, inclusive place for the Dorchester community to gather, learn, and grow,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “My local library played a huge part in my upbringing. Libraries like the Adams Street branch continue to bring joy and essential services to residents of all ages.” 

The reconstruction was designed with the input of the Dorchester community, and entirely reimagined the prior space to prioritize inclusivity, transparency and access. The 13,450 square foot reconstruction nearly doubled the prior 7,200 square foot space, including a 100-seat community room, a conference room and a study room, a children’s early literacy story area, a newly designed teen area, expanded patron seating, a music room, and robust technology infrastructure. The community room has been named after the late Patricia O’Neill, in honor of her contributions to the Dorchester community as the leader of the Ashmont Adams Neighborhood Association. 

Additionally, the outdoor space has been updated, centered around the existing Oak tree, to provide an eco-friendly space for patrons to read and gather as a community. The building also includes several universal access features, such as furniture and library shelving designed with users of all ages in mind; wheelchair accessible computers, tables, and borrower services stations; and T-coil enabled assistive listening systems throughout the community room and at the borrower services desk.  

The Adams Street neighborhood was first provided books through a delivery station on Walnut Street back in 1875. A reading room later opened at 362 Neponset Avenue in 1907, and the current branch location opened in 1951. The branch is known for its world language collections in Spanish and Vietnamese, its gathering spaces used widely by local organizations and members of the community, and its outdoor space.  

“We are so excited to share the reimagined Adams Street branch with the Dorchester community,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. “The new building was designed with transparency and a sense of invitation and welcome in mind; with open sightlines and glass walls to visually connect the interior to the surrounding neighborhood; and with improved accessibility features to ensure all residents feel welcome in the space. We look forward to returning full services and hours to the surrounding community.” 

For the safety of staff and patrons, the building will reopen with the same limited-in person services the rest of the BPL branches are currently offering. Visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth, regardless of vaccination status, and they are not permitted to eat or drink in indoor library spaces. The branch hours will be Monday: 10AM – 6PM; Tuesday: 10AM – 6PM; Wednesday: 12PM – 8PM; Thursday: 10AM – 6PM; Friday: 9AM – 5PM. 

The FY22 budget includes major renovations to the Roslindale and Faneuil Branches, design for a reimagining of the Fields Corner Branch, continued repair, renovation and master planning projects at the Central Library in Copley Square, planning activities for the Upham’s Corner and Chinatown Branches, and programming studies at the Codman Square, West End, and Egleston Square branches. These projects include community engagement to gain input, feedback, and insight from patrons and local organizations. More information on these additional projects can be found at bpl.org/capitalprojects and apps.boston.gov/capital-projects/.   

To learn more about the history of the Adams Street branch project visit bpl.org/adams-street-projects. 

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About the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY   

Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children’s room.   

The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.   

The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public.   

The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Kim Janey. To learn more, visit bpl.org. 

About BOSTON PUBLIC FACILITIES  

Part of the City of Boston's Operations Cabinet, the Public Facilities Department supports all City departments in their efforts to improve customer services to Boston's constituencies. The Public Facilities Department oversees all major projects at City-owned buildings and is responsible for managing the programming, planning, design and construction for new buildings and major renovations across all neighborhoods in Boston. 

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Mayor Janey, Boston Public Library, and the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department to Hold Ribbon Cutting Event for Newly Constructed Adams Street Branch https://www.bpl.org/news/mayor-janey-boston-public-library-and-the-city-of-bostons-public-facilities-department-to-hold-ribbon-cutting-event-for-newly-constructed-adams-street-branch/ Tue, 27 Jul 2021 12:30:18 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7199472 BOSTON – July 27, 2021 – To celebrate the opening of the Adams Street Branch, Mayor Janey, the Boston Public Library, and the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department invite the community to attend a ribbon cutting on July 31st at 11:00am at the Adams Street Branch. 

The $18.3 million reconstruction of the branch is now complete, and in-person services will resume on July 31st. The programming, design and construction were managed by the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department, with consultation from the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, architecture firm NADAAA, and J&J Contractors, Inc. The new branch was designed with the input of the Dorchester community, and entirely reimagined the prior space to prioritize inclusivity, transparency, access, and outdoor programming. 

  • WHAT: The ribbon cutting and community celebration for the newly constructed Adams Street Branch. The event will include local musicians, and a speaking program featuring Mayor Kim Janey, BPL President David Leonard, Director of Public Facilities Kerrie Griffin, Boston Public Library Trustee Linda Dorcena Forry, and President of the Friends of the Adams Street Branch Grace Hebard. 
  • WHO: Adams Street and Dorchester neighbors, patrons, and community leaders are all welcome to attend. 
  • WHEN: July 31st, 11:00am - 12:00pm. 
  • WHERE: The Adams Street Branch, 690 Adams Street, Dorchester. 

For more information about the Adams Street Branch project visit bpl.org/adams-street-projects. 

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Mayor Janey & Boston Public Library Announce Reopening of the Hyde Park Branch https://www.bpl.org/news/mayor-janey-boston-public-library-announce-reopening-of-the-hyde-park-branch/ Thu, 22 Jul 2021 19:12:13 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7199440 BOSTON – July 22, 2021 – Mayor Kim Janey and the Boston Public Library (BPL) today announced that major repairs to the Hyde Park Branch are now complete. Starting on July 26th, the building will reopen for in-person services. The branch has undergone a $614,000 repair project that began in August 2020.   

Repairs to the space included waterproofing the foundation walls, which was managed by the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department, as well as resetting the door threshold to offer an accessible entryway, installing an assistive listening system in Menino Hall, replacing and refinishing flooring in select rooms; and lighting and ceiling tiles in select areas, repainting the fireplace room, structural improvements and more. 

“We are excited to finally welcome residents back to the Hyde Park branch following these major repairs,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. “The repairs and refresh of key spaces will ensure that the building remains safe and accessible to all patrons. We look forward to returning valuable services, resources, and community spaces to Hyde Park and its surrounding neighborhoods.” 

The town of Hyde Park’s first library opened in the Cobb's block of Everett Square in 1873. In 1884, it moved to larger quarters in the Masonic Block at the corner of Harvard Avenue and River Street. The library opened in its current location in September 1899 and became a branch of the Boston Public Library when the town joined the City of Boston in 1912.  An addition doubling the size of the branch opened in January 2000; and in May 2006, the Hyde Park Branch was awarded a 2006 Best Accessible Design Award from the Boston Society of Architects and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board. 

For the safety of staff and patrons, the building will reopen with the same level of in-person services currently offered at other BPL branches. Visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth, regardless of vaccination status, and are not permitted to eat or drink in indoor library spaces. Hours for the branch will be Monday – Wednesday: 10AM – 6PM; Thursday: 12PM – 8PM; Friday: 9AM – 5PM. 

The FY22 Capital budget includes major renovations to the Roslindale and Faneuil Branches, design for a major renovation at the Fields Corner Branch, continued repair, renovation and master planning projects at the Central Library in Copley Square, planning activities for the Upham’s Corner and Chinatown Branches, and programming studies at the Codman Square, West End, Egleston Square branches as well as new projects awaiting start dates. These projects include community engagement to gain input, feedback, and insight from patrons and local organizations. More information on these additional projects can be found at www.bpl.org/capitalprojects and apps.boston.gov/capital-projects/.    

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BPL Health and Safety Guidelines https://www.bpl.org/news/health-and-safety-guidelines/ Tue, 13 Jul 2021 18:39:31 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7199088 The Boston Public Library is delighted to welcome the public back to our currently open branches. As visitors return to browse, study, and borrow, we ask they be mindful of the new policies we have instituted to ensure everyone’s health and safety.

  • Visitors must wear a mask over their nose and mouth when visiting our locations, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Visitors are not allowed to eat or drink in indoor library spaces. Eating and drinking is allowed in the Courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square.
  • The Newsfeed Café is open at the Central Library in Copley Square, but must be entered directly from Boylston or Exeter streets, rather than through the lobby of the Johnson Building.
  • Tours of the Central Library in Copley Square are suspended at this time, but we welcome visitors to explore on their own. Use our online tour booklet to learn more about the art, architecture, and rich history of the Central Library.
  • We've adjusted our hours at all of our locations so be sure to check location hours before you visit.
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Boston Public Schools and Boston Public Library Collaborate to Increase Student Access to Library Resources https://www.bpl.org/news/boston-public-schools-and-boston-public-library-collaborate-to-increase-student-access-to-library-resources/ Tue, 22 Jun 2021 15:00:50 +0000 https://www.bpl.org/?post_type=bccms_news&p=7198750 BOSTON -- June 22, 2021 -- Boston Public Schools (BPS) and Boston Public Library (BPL) today announced a new Student ID Project initiative, which allows students to use their current BPS ID cards to obtain a pre-registered BPL library card, granting them access to all of the services offered by BPL at its 26 locations. BPL is also working with Boston Compact and METCO to offer participation in this program to all other schools serving Boston students, including public charter, parochial and METCO. 

The new initiative makes it easy for students to fully access the books, technology, and services available from BPL. 

“Increasing accessibility to critical resources for our students has been paramount throughout the pandemic and will remain a priority for BPS,” said BPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius. “I am thrilled to partner with the Boston Public Library to provide our students with a simpler conduit to acquiring valuable information from their local libraries. Each of our children deserve all access to the knowledge contained within our libraries, using identification they already possess. This collaboration grants even more equitable access to library spaces for our students who may not have a library in their own school building. Thank you to Mayor Janey, the City of Boston and BPL President David Leonard for their partnership to make this project possible for our youth.”

“Having your first library card can be a special moment no matter how old you are - it is a gateway to reading, tapping your imagination, and taking advantage of all the library has to offer,” said BPL President David Leonard. “This initiative will ensure every Boston school child has an easy path to their own library card and all that lies beyond.” 

During the pandemic, more than 600,000 patrons registered for new BPL e-cards, demonstrating that ease of access is a major factor in creating new library users. With BPL’s physical locations now reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic, BPL and BPS are committed to working together to extend this ease of access to all BPS students, ensuring that, by the time school ends, all BPS students will be able to fully utilize the library through their BPL card. 

With all branches and locations nearly fully open, students will be able to take advantage of youth summer programming at the branches and the Central Library in Copley Square; join in “Digging Deeper, Growing Stronger,” BPLs Youth Summer Reading program; and access programming and services at the Children’s Library and Teen Central

Online, students can now access the library’s catalogue of electronic resources, including books, magazines, graphic novels, movies, and much more. In addition, there are myriad programs available to students online, including the Homework Assistance Program, teen gaming programs on Twitch, writing classes, book groups for teens, and STEM programming.  Outside the BPL’s walls, students can also access free museum passes to take advantage of Boston’s rich cultural offerings as well.  

For more information on the Boston Public Library, including locations, hours of operation and events, visit https://www.bpl.org/.

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About the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children’s room.  

The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.  

The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public.  

The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Kim Janey. To learn more, visit bpl.org

About the BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Boston Public Schools (BPS), the birthplace of public education in the United States, serves more than 52,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 123 schools. BPS is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop in every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

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