What visit to Boston would be complete without a visit to the beautiful Central Library of the Boston Public Library?
The BPL recently completed renovations on the Johnson Building, which contains the General Library Departments, housing the BPL’s largest circulating collection of materials, over 700,000 volumes.
The first phase of renovations, completed in 2015, featured a new Children’s Library, Teen Central, a community reading area, and Adult Reference area. The second phase included renovations to the buildings first floor, mezzanine, and exterior. The $78 million renovation also includes a new business innovation center and business library, a radio broadcasting studio for WGBH (FM), a 3D printer, and a café.
The following pictures are from my recent visit and self-guided tour. Not only was it exciting to see a shiny new library space, but also a space so full of people – even on a beautiful August weekend – bearing witness to the vitality and importance of libraries in society.
Entrance to the Johnson Building on Boyleston Street.
Book-themed decorations on the walls in the main lobby.
Book lamps hang from the ceiling of the main lobby area.
New and novel – the Johnson Building interior at night.
No free-for-all at the Information desk in the lobby.
Johnson building lobby.
Borrowers await service at the Borrower Services desk.
Not a bad crowd for a Saturday in August.
Conference room bedecked with travel posters to inspire dreams during meetings. Where would you rather be?
Keeping an eye on things.
The mezzanine offers a bird’s eye view of the stacks and the streets.
Bright and colorful Children’s Library.
READ in the Teen Room.
Primary colors abound in the red stacks.
A well-equipped classroom.
What’s on tap today.
Plenty of room for growth in the travel section.
Work was still underway on what appeared to be a cafe or maybe the broadcast studio.
Definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in Boston!
