Boston Public Library
Community

Programs & Partnerships

Community

 

The Boston Public Library partners with many organizations to deliver programs throughout the community. Some examples of partnerships appear below.

Tierney Learning Center | Teen Outreach

Tierney Learning CenterBoston Public Library + Boston Housing Authority
Tierney Learning Center Pilot Project

125 Mercer Street, 2nd Floor
South Boston, MA 02127
617-596-3677

Monday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

 
The Boston Public Library launched a pilot partnership at the new Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center in the Old Colony Housing Development. The Boston Housing Authority and the Boston Public Library have come together to offer the community a slate of popular programs ranging from kindergarten readiness to career resources for kids, teens, adults, and families. The resources of the Boston Public Library will be available at the Tierney Learning Center including sessions on computer instruction, early literacy for parents and caregivers, job searching, and more – all with an eye toward offering the services and programs most in demand in South Boston.

Teen Outreach

Boston Public Library's Teen Services team provides outreach through teen librarian visits to a variety of service providers. During the visit, the librarian issues library cards and highlights BPL teen-specific services and programs, including the Dudley Literacy Center, TERI College Planning Center, Children's Services, and book giveaways. Librarians have visited teens at:

  • juvenile detention centers
  • foster care
  • group homes
  • transitional shelters
  • Massachusetts Department of Children and Families locations
  • Shriners Hospital

The staff of the Teen Room at the Central Library in Copley Square also work directly with staff from the Department of Children and Families to offer internships to teens in DCF care. These internships help focus teens on becoming job-ready and present an opportunity for teens to be mentored by the Teen Room staff.

Chinatown Lantern Cultural and Educational Center

The Boston Public Library partners with members of the Chinatown community to bring Library services to the neighborhood in cooperation with the Chinatown Lantern Cultural and Educational Center (chinatownlantern.org). The BPL will contribute to the Chinatown Lantern through such programming as Chinese book discussion groups, story tours with enrichment activities, and rotating collections of English and Chinese adult and children's books and DVDs.