Boston Public Library
About
The Boston Public Library is the city’s free public library system, with the Central Library in Copley Square and branches spread across Boston’s neighborhoods. A library card opens access to books, movies, music, technology, and a long list of online resources, along with streaming and downloads. Programs run year-round for children, teens, and adults, from author talks and film screenings to information sessions for adult English learners.
Founded in 1848, the BPL was the first large free municipal library in the United States, and its Central Library includes the landmark McKim Building, opened in 1895. Its digital collections share material such as medieval manuscripts, the Allan Rohan Crite Collection, and 1960s local television news. Heritage months, world language collections, genealogy programs, and exhibitions tied to Boston’s 250th anniversary make the library a cultural resource as much as a place to borrow books.
What to Know
- World language collections serve readers in many languages besides English.
- Business and career resources for job seekers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and investors include the Kirstein Business Library.
- Teens can browse a zine collection, and children have dedicated online resources and early literacy books.
- Massachusetts driver’s license practice tests are among the online resources available with a card.
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