Boston Public Library

On the National Register of Historic Places, the library opened in 1852 as the first free, publicly-supported municipal library in America.

Business Hour

Mo-Th 09:00-21:00
Fr-Sa 09:00-17:00
Su 13:00-17:00

Driving Direction

Copley -> 1 min walk
Back Bay -> 5 min walk

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User Comments

Esmerelda Pinchon 2017-01-05

Beautiful library, classic must-see for Boston tourists. If you're looking for a place to study, be advised that the new side is so smelly! They did a big beautiful renovation and included a cafe, but as a result of the cafe, the entire new building stinks and not of yummy cooking food, but it smells like chemicals. It smells like burning plastic. Gross. I asked and a staff member said that it always smells like that when they cook a specific food. It's not all the time but it comes and goes. When it's bad, it makes me wonder if we're all breathing in toxins. Not sure if something is too close to a heating element as a result of a design flaw or what, but this is not a food smell. It's a chemical smell. Gross! Otherwise, beautiful library with helpful librarians and lovely new brightly colored spaces. Children's area is a must see for anyone with kids.
Martin Hoyer 2016-11-18

Whether you are a local or a tourist this library is work a look. All should visit the old building overlooking the square and Trinity Church (and the reflection of said church in the reflection of the John Hancock building) They beautiful, well kept, and you can even (surprise as its a library) study in them. I'm not as fond of the newer building but you can take a look and there is a lot more room to study. Then, of course, there are all the books. :-)
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