Art & Architecture Tours at the Central Library
The landmark Central Library in Copley Square features notable architecture spanning three centuries, as well as treasured art and decorative installations within. A summary of key points of interest can be found on our Art & Architecture page.
Public Art & Architecture tours are free of charge and run at the following times:
Mondays at 2:00 pm
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm
Thursdays at 6:00 pm
Fridays at 11:00 am
Saturdays at 11:00 am
Tours last approximately one hour and start in the McKim Building Vestibule, just through the Dartmouth Street entrance. Tours are subject to guide availability.
Unauthorized guides are not permitted to lead tours within the library. When planning your visit, please make note of days when the library will be closed due to holidays; inclement weather may also affect opening hours.
Interested in joining a public tour?
Public tours are currently limited to 25 people per tour guide, and we ask that individual parties larger than five people refrain from joining the public tours so as not to overcrowd the group.
We do not take reservations. To claim your spot on the tour, when you arrive at the library, head to the McKim Building Welcome Desk (which is right through the library entrance on Dartmouth Street). There, a staff member can give you and each member of your party a sticker to wear to signify you as a member of the tour group. Staff will start handing these stickers out an hour before the tour starts, and on a first-come, first-served basis.
We are not currently accepting requests for future private tours. As unauthorized guides are not permitted to lead tours on BPL premises, patrons may refer to the “Visiting on Your Own” section below.