Director of Research & Special Collections
Beth Prindle
617-859-2379
bprindle@bpl.org
Beth Prindle is Boston Public Library's Director of Research & Special Collections. She and her team of specialized staff steward the BPL’s extensive collections of rare, distinctive, and culturally significant materials in special collections and one of the largest research collections nationwide. Their work centers on facilitating discovery and fostering broad engagement with these collections through acquisition, description, preservation, and public access. Departmental areas of responsibility include Archives, Arts, Collection Security, Conservation & Preservation, Rare Books & Manuscripts, and Research Collections.
On staff since 2004, Beth was previously responsible for the library’s exhibitions, public programs, tours, and collections-related special projects. She has served as a core team member for several of the library's major capital projects, including the reimagining of the Central Library in 2017 and renovation of the library’s Rare Books & Manuscripts/Special Collections in 2022. Formerly a public high school teacher, Beth holds a Master’s in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University.