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ALA Releases State of America’s Libraries Report

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.

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You’re invited! On October 20, join fellow library-lovers for a Night in the Stacks at the Boston Public Library! You’ll enjoy food, drinks, and dancing, as you explore one of Boston’s architectural gems. 🕺🥂📚

Through the end of September, tickets are selling at a reduced price. Link in bio.

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Sep 22

Open
You’re invited! On October 20, join fellow library-lovers for a Night in the Stacks at the Boston Public Library! You’ll enjoy food, drinks, and dancing, as you explore one of Boston’s architectural gems. 🕺🥂📚 Through the end of September, tickets are selling at a reduced price. Link in bio.

Looking for a fun way to explore the city? Book it around Boston is back on September 23 9:30am! Starting and ending at the Roxbury Branch, choose from five routes to run, walk, or bike to various BPL locations.

All participants will receive a BPL Passport: a new booklet outlining routes to walk, run, or bike between each of the BPL’s 26 locations. For each branch participants visit, they will receive a branch stamp in their BPL Passport.

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Sep 21

Open
Looking for a fun way to explore the city? Book it around Boston is back on September 23 9:30am! Starting and ending at the Roxbury Branch, choose from five routes to run, walk, or bike to various BPL locations. All participants will receive a BPL Passport: a new booklet outlining routes to walk, run, or bike between each of the BPL’s 26 locations. For each branch participants visit, they will receive a branch stamp in their BPL Passport.

The application to join Team BPL and run the 128th Boston Marathon is now open! By joining Team BPL, you will be supporting the Boston Public Library Fund in its mission to ensure the Library remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all.

Apply today at: bplfund.org/marathon

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Sep 20

Open
The application to join Team BPL and run the 128th Boston Marathon is now open! By joining Team BPL, you will be supporting the Boston Public Library Fund in its mission to ensure the Library remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all. Apply today at: bplfund.org/marathon

Entrepreneur Lauren Jones Forbes recognized a need for supporting Black women who felt overworked, stressed, and trapped in their daily routines. With a business concept in mind and a strong professional background, Lauren just needed to strengthen her business skills.

That’s where the BPL came in. With the help of the Entrepreneur in Residence program, Lauren launched her new business – Look into Your Life: Transformative Life Coaching for Black Women.

Thank you to our generous donors who support the Entrepreneur in Residence Program. To read more about Lauren’s journey and how private resources enhance the Library’s programs, go to bplfund.org/impact.

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Sep 18

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Entrepreneur Lauren Jones Forbes recognized a need for supporting Black women who felt overworked, stressed, and trapped in their daily routines. With a business concept in mind and a strong professional background, Lauren just needed to strengthen her business skills. That’s where the BPL came in. With the help of the Entrepreneur in Residence program, Lauren launched her new business – Look into Your Life: Transformative Life Coaching for Black Women. Thank you to our generous donors who support the Entrepreneur in Residence Program. To read more about Lauren’s journey and how private resources enhance the Library’s programs, go to bplfund.org/impact.

In the past year, 4,739 patrons visited the Boston Public Library to access employment services and training, leading to better jobs and improved careers. As demand rises, generous grants through the Boston Public Library Fund enabled the Library to hire two new career counselors.

Michael Colford, Director of Library Services, said, “Companies are demanding new and different skills, and thanks to generous grants, the BPL is answering the call to reach a greater number of job seekers and create a more equitable city.”

Thank you to @hearst, @highlandstreetfoundation, and State Street for bringing the BPL’s workforce efforts to scale.

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Sep 15

Open
In the past year, 4,739 patrons visited the Boston Public Library to access employment services and training, leading to better jobs and improved careers. As demand rises, generous grants through the Boston Public Library Fund enabled the Library to hire two new career counselors. Michael Colford, Director of Library Services, said, “Companies are demanding new and different skills, and thanks to generous grants, the BPL is answering the call to reach a greater number of job seekers and create a more equitable city.” Thank you to @hearst, @highlandstreetfoundation, and State Street for bringing the BPL’s workforce efforts to scale.

Next Tuesday, September 19, the BPL welcomes friend and supporter Michael Goldberg for an online discussion: Disease or Normal Variation: Who Decides?

Dr. Goldberg, Professor Emeritus, Tufts University School of Medicine, will explore how perceptions of disease change through time and how our biases and beliefs inform that decision. To register for the online event, visit bpl.org.

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Sep 12

Open
Next Tuesday, September 19, the BPL welcomes friend and supporter Michael Goldberg for an online discussion: Disease or Normal Variation: Who Decides? Dr. Goldberg, Professor Emeritus, Tufts University School of Medicine, will explore how perceptions of disease change through time and how our biases and beliefs inform that decision. To register for the online event, visit bpl.org.

Boston students are back to school, and we want to thank Bain Capital Community Partnership for their continued support of the Homework Assistance Program (HAP). HAP is a free after-school service led by trained teen mentors who offer homework help, mentorship, and activities for students in grades K–8.

Sessions start the week of September 20 at several BPL Branches. To see where HAP services are offered, visit bpl.org.

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Sep 8

Open
Boston students are back to school, and we want to thank Bain Capital Community Partnership for their continued support of the Homework Assistance Program (HAP). HAP is a free after-school service led by trained teen mentors who offer homework help, mentorship, and activities for students in grades K–8. Sessions start the week of September 20 at several BPL Branches. To see where HAP services are offered, visit bpl.org.
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© 2023 Boston Public Library Fund

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

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