Boston Public Library

Librarians in Boston united in solidarity on Saturday, holding a rally to push back after several incidents that they say have disrupted staff and library patrons. Staff and supporters gathered in front of the main branch in Copley Square in a sign of unity and kindness. “This is a safe space. It should be a safe space no matter what…

Librarians say a group against mask mandates has been harassing and intimidating workers and patrons at Boston Public Library branches.

Librarians say a group against mask mandates has been harassing and intimidating workers and patrons at Boston Public Library branches. Library staff say the group, which has posted videos of the incidents on social media, has refused to leave when asked. Masks are required in indoor public spaces in Boston to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Workers have had…

Employees from the Boston Public Library system will hold a rally to push back against a group they say is intimidating workers and guests.

A cyberattack prompted an outage at the Boston Public Library.

The Boston Public Library said Friday that it is experiencing “a systemwide technical outage” after being targeted by a cyberattack. “On Wednesday morning, 8/25, the Boston Public Library experienced a systemwide technical outage due to a cybersecurity attack, pausing public computer and public printing services, as well as some online resources,” the library said in a statement. “Affected systems were…

Police were injured responding to a man allegedly involved in a lewd act at the Boston Public Library.

Three officers police said were hurt after responding to a report of a lewd act outside the Copley branch of the Boston Public Library are out of the hospital. The Boston Police Department said 43-year-old Cornelio Conley was masturbating in front of the library when the officers arrived shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. Conley had allegedly become combative when library…

The Boston Public Library is scheduled to reopen next month after being closed to the public for more than a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Thursday.

A pro-Palestinian crowd gathered outside the Boston Public Library on Saturday afternoon to condemn Israel’s attacks and decry United States support for Israel.

A pro-Palestinian crowd gathered outside the Boston Public Library on Saturday afternoon to condemn Israel’s attacks and decry United States support for Israel. The protesters could be seen holding signs that said “free Palestine.”  “I think it’s very worrisome,” said Nooran Alhamdan of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “The reason it’s worrisome of course is that Palestinian lives don’t matter in...

Mayor Kim Janey on Wednesday proposed her first budget for Boston, recommending a $3.75 billion operating budget for the coming fiscal year that’s about 4% larger than this year’s. It includes a proposed end to late fees at the Boston Public Library, a $123 million boost for Boston Public Schools from federal funding and a 33% dip in Boston police…

The Boston Public Library said Tuesday it was purchasing thousands of copies of anti-racism books amid soaring demand for the titles amid the country’s racial reckoning. Since protests took hold across the nation following the police killing of George Floyd, wait times on popular anti-racism titles reached more than 12 weeks, with queues for “White Fragility: Why It’s So...

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Thursday that as of June 22, residents will be able to utilize a new program called “BPL to Go,” allowing people to order and pick up books, DVDs, CDs and other items from select Boston Public Library locations. Customers will have the ability to place their items on hold and select a pickup time at…

With New Englanders staying home amid the coronavirus pandemic, many are searching for enriching ways to spend time while keeping social distance from others. While many turn to streaming services to binge-watch movies and television series, it’s also the perfect time to return to a time-honored tradition: Reading. “I think it just takes your mind off of everything that’s...

An Instagram influencer called the Boston Book Fanatic gives recommendations for good reads during quarantine.

The year 2018 was all the rage among patrons of the Boston Public Library in 2019. Eight of the library’s 12 most-borrowed books this year were published in 2018 — none more so than former first lady Michelle Obama’s memoir, “Becoming.” It was checked out more than 9,700 times in 2019 — a rate of about 27 times a day!…

Youth will no longer be charged with late fees at the Boston Public Library. Mayor Marty Walsh made the announcement Friday. The library wants to get rid of barriers and expand access to services and resources available to youth in Boston, the Mayor, Marty Walsh said in a statement.

In search of a wedding venue? Boston Public Library might have the answer. The library is hosting a giveaway to provide four lucky couples the chance to host their wedding ceremonies in the Copley Square Central Library’s Abbey Room this February- for free.

First-hand accounts are key to understanding history, but thousands of anti-slavery documents have been inaccessible to most of us. Now, a new project by the Boston Public Library is using the power of the internet to make these important documents available to everyone.