Boston public library
Bookmarks
* The library was set up in 1848.
* It was the very first free municipal library in U.S.A.
* In addition to the Central Library, there are 27 branches.
* Out of more than 6 million books, it houses more than one million rare books and manuscripts.
* Enter its portals to see Shakespeares first edition folios and original music sheets of Mozart.
* It also houses more than three thousand volumes of the personal library of John Adams.
* The Bates Hall, under whose roof is the reading room, is an architectural landmark.
Special Facility for the Physically Challenged:
the senior staff on duty for use of the wheelchair located near the entrance of the Johnson building. There are special wheelchair lifts in both buildings of the central boston public library.
The Library Card
* The library card is free.
* You can keep the card for your lifetime.
* You can get a library card if you are a resident of Massachusetts.
* If you are not a resident, you can get a courtesy card.
* If you lose your card or there is a change in name or address, you must inform the library immediately. A lost card will be replaced for $1.00.
* A library card is not transferable.
* You need to fill a form at the Registration Desk in the Johnson Building and provide proof of identity that clearly shows your name, current address and your signature. This applies for boston public library cards at the branches as well.
* Books, cassettes, CDs, magazines and certain other materials have to be returned within 21 days. Videos must be returned within 7 days.
* The fine for overdue materials is $0.10 per day for adults and $0.05 per day for children and young adults. Certain materials may incur higher fines. Damaged and lost materials will also incur fines.
The Central Library encompasses 2 Buildings:
(1) The McKim Building for non-circulating research and reference materials. That is, you can access books and magazines for in-library use only. Some of its facilities:
(a) The Fine Arts Department provides reference materials for Articles on art and architecture, drawings and designs, antiques, and more.
(b) The Government Documents Department provides publications related to federal, state and city government. Legal materials can also be accessed.
(c) The Microtext Department is the main center of the library*s microfilm, microfiche and microprint research materials.
(d) The Music Department has materials related to the world of music * composers, theoretical references, etc.
(e) The Newspaper Room houses more than 200 national and international newspapers.
(2) The Johnson Building for circulating materials. You can borrow books and other materials with your boston public library card. Some of its facilities:
(a) Computers specially equipped with a technology to enable access for use by individuals with disabilities.
(b) Reference librarians to help you access information. You can avail of Internet access for 15 minutes on the first floor & for 1 hour on the second floor (with reservation).
(c) VHS and DVD materials and cassettes are available for classroom use.
(d) A special room for books and audio-visual materials specifically for children from pre-school to age 12.
(e) The Education Resources Institute helps students with education loans.
(f) The Young Adult Room is specifically for teenagers.
(g) The Rabb Lecture Hall comprises of an auditorium for more than 300 people, with a podium and public address sound system as well as a piano. Free public programs can be conducted here with the help of slide and video projectors.
In addition, the Norman B.Leventhal Map Center has a wonderful collection of more than 300,000 maps. For more information:
Some Branches & their Distinctive Collections
(1) Brighton: 40 Academy Hill Road, Boston,
Visit here if you need help to learn English.
(2) Adams Street: 1520 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA
Visit here if you need to do extensive research on the Civil War or World War II.
(3) Codman Square: 690 Washington Street, Dorchester
(4) Connolly: 433 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain.
(5) Hyde Park: 35 Harvard Avenue, Hyde Park.
This branch has won the prestigious Honor Award for Outstanding Architecture from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
(6) Dudley Literacy Center: 65 Warren Street, Roxbury.
(7) Faneuil: 419 Faneuil Street, Boston.
Visit here for material related to the Allston / Brighton neighborhood.
(8) Grove Hall: 5 Crawford Street, Dorchester.
Visit here to attend the annual live jazz program.
(9) Mattapan: 10 Hazelton Street, Mattapan.
(10) North End: 25 Parmenter Street, Boston.
(11) Washington Village: 1226 Columbia Road, South Boston
(12) West Roxbury: 1961 Centre Street, West Roxbury,
Visit here for reference materials on Irish History.
Museum Passes
* The boston public library provides Museum passes for: the Childrens Museum, the Harvard Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, New England Aquarium, and the Wheelock Family Theatre.
* You can apply for one pass per day, per museum.
* All passes are due 2 days from the date they are borrowed.
* An adult can only reserve passes with a valid library card.
Not Just Books * Films and Video Series are conducted throughout the year. Forthcoming: (i) Adams Film Series (every Thursday at 6p.m.in the Rabb Lecture Hall; (ii) Jefferson in Paris (Nov.9th); (iii) John & Abigail Adams (Nov.15th); (iv) Native American Heritage Film Series (every Monday in Nov. at 6p.m.
* Story Time: On Thursdays at 7p.m. in the Rev. Childrens Room -preregistration is necessary, and an adult must accompany the child.
* Movie time for Families: Sundays at 1:30p.m.in the Rabb Hall.
* Internet Workshops for beginners. For more information:
* Internet learning Portal for Students:
* Volunteer: Dec. 4th & 5th (6-9 p.m.), and Jan. 27th (9 am. -5 p.m.)- Horizons for Homeless Children requires 200 volunteers to interact with over 500 children living in family and domestic violence shelters in Greater Boston. You need to give f 2 hours of your time for a week, for 6 months. There are daytime and evening shifts.
* A Career at the BPL: Apply for a job at the Boston Public
Note for the Reader: In the possibility that some details are not fully correct, please check all information with the Boston Public Library.
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