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 »

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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Community updates on library services during renovation and upcoming phases

Boston Public Library continues its series of roundtables to update library users and interested residents on the Johnson Building Improvement Project.

The second roundtable will feature an overview of library services during the first phase of construction. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the Mezzanine Conference Room at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street. Additional roundtables will be held:

• Monday, October 21, at 6:00 p.m. as an online community chat via www.bpl.org/compass.
• Thursday, November 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Boston Room at the Central Library in Copley Square. Read more »

Historians and genealogists take audiences back to early Boston

Boston Public Library’s Local and Family History Lecture Series returns this month, detailing Colonial and Revolutionary Boston from the perspective of defiant brides, pre-Revolutionary War newspapers, and the stories of the men and women who actually lived it. The series is in its eleventh year of sharing information about the history of Boston and its neighborhoods and features tips and guidance for those beginning their own genealogical research. All Local and Family History Series lectures take place in the Commonwealth Salon at the Central Library in Copley Square, which is located at 700 Boylston Street. Fall lectures include:

• Victor T. Mastone, director and chief archaeologist of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, will take the audience back to the Battle of Chelsea Creek, a significant event in the siege of Boston. Wednesday, September 11, at 6 p.m.

• Curator Martha Clark of the Massachusetts Archives will prepare researchers with ways to make the most of their visit while learning about their Colonial ancestors at the Archives. Wednesday, September 25, at 6 p.m. Read more »

Zinio instantly brings more than 100 current magazine titles to BPL cardholders

Boston Public Library now provides library cardholders free access to popular magazines via a digital magazine service, making more than 100 popular English and Spanish language magazines instantly available. The online resource Zinio offers the ability to check out and download titles like National Geographic, ESPN the Magazine, Good Housekeeping, and Newsweek, and is compatible with smartphones, tablets, and computers. Zinio features complete, full-color magazines with intuitive navigation, keyword article search, and interactive audio and video elements.

“Boston Public Library is pleased to offer this new resource,” said Michael Colford, Director of Library Services. “It is a convenient, free, no-waiting option that appeals to avid magazine readers as well as those who prefer to consume their news and information in digital form.” Read more »