Founded in 1848, by an act of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts, the Boston Public Library was the first large free municipal library in the United States. The Boston Public Librarys first building of its own was a former schoolhouse located on Mason Street that was opened to the public on March 20, 1854. The Librarys collections approximated 16,000 volumes, and it was obvious from the day the doors were first opened that the quarters were inadequate. In December of that same year the Librarys Commissioners were authorized to locate a new building upon a lot on Boylston Street. The present Copley Square location has been home to the Library since 1895, when architect Charles Follen McKim completed his palace for the people. In the latter half of the 19th century, the Library worked vigorously to develop and expand its branch library system. Viewed as a means to extend its presence throughout the city, the branch system evolved from an idea in 1867 to a reality in 1870, when the first Branch Library in the United States was opened in East Boston. Between 1872 and 1900, twentyone more Branches began serving communities throughout Bostons diverse neighborhoods. In 1972 the Library expanded its Copley Square location with the opening of an addition designed by Philip Johnson. Today, the McKim building houses the BPLs vast research collection and the Johnson building holds the circulating collection of the general library and serves as headquarters for the Boston Public Librarys 26 branch libraries.

Telephone: 617-536-5400
Website: http://www.bpl.org/questions/suggestion.htm