ALA Releases State of America’s Libraries Report

March 24, 2023
National Library Week

BPL proudly upholds free access to information.

On April 24, the American Library Association (ALA) kicked off National Library Week with the release of its annual State of America’s Libraries Report, highlighting the challenges U.S. libraries face – as well as the ways they innovated to meet the needs of their communities. Notably, the report includes the Top Thirteen Frequently Challenged Books of 2022.

Access to information is at the forefront of the mission of any public library, and it’s a mission that the Boston Public Library (BPL) proudly continues to uphold. In February 2023, the BPL signed on to the Urban Library Council’s Declaration of Democracy and in doing so confirmed the BPL’s commitment to: 

Serve as a convener for and facilitator of civic engagement and civil discourse 
Increase efforts to fight misinformation by seeking new ways to help patrons find verifiable and accurate information 
Leverage programming, collections and other resources to promote human dignity, open dialogue, and respect for diverse viewpoints

Would you like to support the BPL in honor of it’s commitment to democracy? Make your gift to the Boston Public Library Fund today.

Share This Article

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @bplfund

We had a great Morning Brew conversation @bplboston Newsfeed Cafe this morning to launch the Boston Community History Project, thanks to the incredible support from Bank of America. The panelists were outstanding - Heang Leung Rubin, Angie Chatman, Eson Kim, Dory Klein, and Dan Cohen moderated by President David Leonard and Kenzie Bok. We will be sharing more on how we celebrate the rich histories and stories of our bright and bold Boston communties! #communityhistory

May 18

We had a great Morning Brew conversation @bplboston Newsfeed Cafe this morning to launch the Boston Community History Project, thanks to the incredible support from Bank of America. The panelists were outstanding - Heang Leung Rubin, Angie Chatman, Eson Kim, Dory Klein, and Dan Cohen moderated by President David Leonard and Kenzie Bok. We will be sharing more on how we celebrate the rich histories and stories of our bright and bold Boston communties! #communityhistory

The Boston Public Library is honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month by releasing the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month booklist. Compiled by staff librarians from the Central Library, the Brighton Branch, the Chinatown Branch, the Fields Corner Branch, and the Roslindale Branch, the booklist is comprised of 75 recently published titles focusing on the experiences of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities of the United States. Visit bpl.org to view the list of titles.

#aapimonth

May 17

The Boston Public Library is honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month by releasing the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month booklist. Compiled by staff librarians from the Central Library, the Brighton Branch, the Chinatown Branch, the Fields Corner Branch, and the Roslindale Branch, the booklist is comprised of 75 recently published titles focusing on the experiences of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities of the United States. Visit bpl.org to view the list of titles.

#aapimonth

Thank you, David McGrath, for dedicating a seat in the Central Library’s Rabb Hall @BPLBoston. David dedicated a seat for Beth Picardi as a Christmas gift in honor of her love of libraries. Beth spoke fondly of her local library in Wakefield, and is looking forward to visiting the BPL more often and enjoying programs in Rabb Hall. She chose seat B 202—B for “Beth” and 202 for her birthday on February 2! To learn more about dedicating a seat in Rabb Hall and the impact your gift can make on the Library, visit bplfund.org/rabb.

May 12

Thank you, David McGrath, for dedicating a seat in the Central Library’s Rabb Hall @BPLBoston. David dedicated a seat for Beth Picardi as a Christmas gift in honor of her love of libraries. Beth spoke fondly of her local library in Wakefield, and is looking forward to visiting the BPL more often and enjoying programs in Rabb Hall. She chose seat B 202—B for “Beth” and 202 for her birthday on February 2! To learn more about dedicating a seat in Rabb Hall and the impact your gift can make on the Library, visit bplfund.org/rabb.

Looking for a special way to honor the mother figure in your life? Mother’s Day is almost here, and the Boston Public Library Fund has the perfect gift idea for you! When you make a gift today of $50 or more, a bookplate with a personalized message will be placed inside a newly circulating book at the Boston Public Library.

To make your gift visit the link in our bio.

May 9

Looking for a special way to honor the mother figure in your life? Mother’s Day is almost here, and the Boston Public Library Fund has the perfect gift idea for you! When you make a gift today of $50 or more, a bookplate with a personalized message will be placed inside a newly circulating book at the Boston Public Library.

To make your gift visit the link in our bio.

Environmental justice warrior, Rhodes Scholar, and founder of Black Girl Environmentalist Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru will converse with Boston Public Library President David Leonard as part of our 2023 Lowell Lecture Series. Be sure to join us on May 11 from 6-7:30 PM in the Central Library for this incredible discussion.

Register at bpl.org.

May 8

Environmental justice warrior, Rhodes Scholar, and founder of Black Girl Environmentalist Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru will converse with Boston Public Library President David Leonard as part of our 2023 Lowell Lecture Series. Be sure to join us on May 11 from 6-7:30 PM in the Central Library for this incredible discussion.

Register at bpl.org.

This Mother’s Day, support the mother figures in your life by dedicating a @bplboston book in their name. When you make a donation of $50 or more, a personalized message honoring this special individual will be placed inside a newly circulating book at the Library. Go to the link in our bio to dedicate a book before Mother’s Day on May 14.

May 5

This Mother’s Day, support the mother figures in your life by dedicating a @bplboston book in their name. When you make a donation of $50 or more, a personalized message honoring this special individual will be placed inside a newly circulating book at the Library. Go to the link in our bio to dedicate a book before Mother’s Day on May 14.

“All of my life, libraries have been very important to me. Going back to my youth during war time. We were moving around a lot, and every time we moved the first thing my mom would do was to take us to the public library and sign us up. It’s an experience not to be forgotten.” - James Bartlett

Thank you, Hanna Bartlett, for dedicating a seat in the Central Library’s Rabb Hall @BPLBoston. Hanna dedicated a seat for her husband, James, pictured here, in celebration of his lifelong love of libraries. To learn more about dedicating a seat in Rabb Hall and the impact your gift can make on the Library, visit bplfund.org/rabb.

May 4

“All of my life, libraries have been very important to me. Going back to my youth during war time. We were moving around a lot, and every time we moved the first thing my mom would do was to take us to the public library and sign us up. It’s an experience not to be forgotten.” - James Bartlett

Thank you, Hanna Bartlett, for dedicating a seat in the Central Library’s Rabb Hall @BPLBoston. Hanna dedicated a seat for her husband, James, pictured here, in celebration of his lifelong love of libraries. To learn more about dedicating a seat in Rabb Hall and the impact your gift can make on the Library, visit bplfund.org/rabb.

Best-selling author Terry McMillan will talk about her book “It’s Not All Downhill From Here,” which illustrates the many challenges its female protagonists face and how they pull themselves up through the power of friendship and forgiveness. Join us in Mattapan on May 6 from 12-1:30 PM to enjoy this author talk.

Register at bpl.org.

May 3

Best-selling author Terry McMillan will talk about her book “It’s Not All Downhill From Here,” which illustrates the many challenges its female protagonists face and how they pull themselves up through the power of friendship and forgiveness. Join us in Mattapan on May 6 from 12-1:30 PM to enjoy this author talk.

Register at bpl.org.

Load More... Follow on Instagram

Stay in touch with BPLF!

Subscribe to Our Mailing List

Boston Public Library Fund
700 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116

617-859-2027
info@bplfund.org

© 2023 Boston Public Library Fund

Site Development + Design: Bonnie Katz Design
Site Concept Designer: Adam & Co

© 2023 Boston Public Library Fund

Site Development + Design: Bonnie Katz Design
Site Concept Designer: Adam & Co