Boston Public Library’s Collections of Distinction feature eighteen of the most outstanding, expansive, and renowned of the library’s holdings. Behind the collections are the curators who can expertly describe the significance of all the treasures found within. The curators recently answered questions about each of the collections, including their favorite sections, surprising finds, and which audiences they may appeal to. The first four collections highlighted include Shakespeare, Maritime Charts and Atlases, the John Adams Library, and our Local & Family History collection. Throughout October, more curators will be featured. Visit the Collections of Distinction page to meet them and learn more about the library’s collections.
Meet the Collections of Distinction Curators
Posted on October 2nd, 2013 by admin in General
Tags: Inside BPL Collections
Author Talks at Boston Public Library Locations in October
Posted on September 23rd, 2013 by admin in Media Releases
More than a dozen author appearances include bestselling authors and career experts
Throughout October, Boston Public Library will host author talks at the Central Library in Copley Square and branch locations. Author appearances include:
- New York Times bestselling author Richard North Patterson discusses his book Loss of Innocence, detailing a young woman’s journey to adulthood on Tuesday, October 1, at 6 p.m. in Rabb Lecture Hall at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street.
- Koren Zailckas, author of Mother, Mother, details the shattering story of a mother’s love gone too far on Saturday, October 5, at 2 p.m. in the Commonwealth Salon at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street. Zailckas’ 2005 memoir, Smashed, has sold more than a half million copies. Read more »
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Posted on September 18th, 2013 by admin in General
Tags: Around the BPL
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), Boston Public Library has a variety of programs planned across the City. In addition, the library’s annual Latino Life booklist, featuring recent books about the Hispanic experience, is available online and at all library locations.
Program highlights include:
- Classical guitarist Michael Nigro takes audiences on a journey through Latin America, featuring works by South American and Spanish composers in the month of September at the Dudley, Jamaica Plain, Grove Hall, Parker Hill, and South End branches.
- On September 28, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Public Library, Handel and Haydn Society, and Zoo New England collaborate to present a free Family Opera Day at the BPL.
- Starting October 1, the Connolly Branch hosts an exhibition featuring paintings by Dominican artist Nasiri Guzman.
- Starting October 7, the Central Library’s Monday night film series celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.
- In October, Veronica Robles educates children on Mexican music, dance, and culture at the Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Lower Mills, and West End branches.
- La Piñata, an organization dedicated to promoting Latin American culture, provides children and teens in grades K-8 an introduction to Latin America through a variety of art, games, and music activities.
To view dates, times, and more information on these programs, please visit the BPL calendar.
Rescheduled Date for the Reopening of Uphams Corner Branch
Posted on September 16th, 2013 by admin in Media Releases
New carpet and interior painting added to project scope
The reopening date for the Uphams Corner Branch of the Boston Public Library, located at 500 Columbia Road in Dorchester, has been moved to 10 a.m. on Monday, October 21.
New carpeting and interior painting has been added to the project scope since the branch was temporarily closed in May of this year for building improvements.
The municipal building that houses the Uphams Corner Branch is temporarily closed in order to allow for replacing the roof, including insulation and flashing; removing, replacing, and painting selected downspouts; repairing and replacement of the exterior gutters; repointing the masonry; rebuilding the exterior and interior stairs; and installing a new heating system.
The branch reopening date was originally planned for September 30.
About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-four branches, a literacy center, map center, business library, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in America, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit www.bpl.org.
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Boston Public Library by the Numbers [#infographic]
Posted on September 16th, 2013 by Gina Perille in General
A summary of some of the key numbers from Boston Public Library’s most recently completed fiscal year.
The library shares a variety of facts and figures on the “BPL by the Numbers” page on this website. There you will find library-generated statistics, links to the City of Boston’s performance management program — known as BAR, which stands for “Boston About Results.” On the same page, links to data shared and collected by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners are available.