Never Too Late To Learn

March 29, 2023
National Library Week

Massachusetts residents can earn their high school diploma through the BPL

When Christina Ingram became a young mother, she was forced to leave high school to care for her son. Despite many obstacles, Ingram was determined to earn her diploma — and when she stopped by the Boston Public Library (BPL), the opportunity finally came when she saw a flyer for Excel Adult High School.

Initially, Ingram was worried the program wouldn’t work for her. However, after researching it and speaking with a Library staff member she started to believe it might be the right fit.

“I was so busy, but I had to get my high school diploma because my main goal was to teach my kids that no matter how old you are, you can do it,” Ingram explains. “I’m 39, and I’m showing them that you just don’t give up.”

“The benefits of Excel Adult High School are just astronomical,” says Jess Elias, Community Learning Supervisor at the BPL. “One of my favorite things to do here is talk to students about this program. It’s a pathway to something that’s really life changing.”

Excel Adult High School is both flexible (100 percent online and self-paced) and highly supportive, connecting students with success coaches, tutors, instructors, school administrators, and Library staff who care about each student’s success. This year, there is no cost to students. Full scholarships have been awarded to all enrolled students thanks to the generosity of Michelle and Henry Nasella through the Boston Public Library Fund.

Would you like to support programs like the Excel Adult High School at the BPL? Make your gift to the Boston Public Library Fund today.

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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.

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