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inside the Boston Public Library's Rabb Hall

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CREATE A LASTING LEGACY FOR YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE

When you name a seat—or multiple seats—in Rabb Hall in honor or in memory of a loved one, you are creating a powerful legacy that places your honoree’s name in the company of influential voices and icons, who come to the Boston Public Library knowing that is a world renowned symbol of the free sharing of ideas, information, and treasures. Choose two or more seats together to create a symbolic legacy for a couple or family.

The 306-seat lecture space, located inside the Boylston Building of the Boston Public Library, was named for benefactor Sidney R. Rabb (1900-1985), a local philanthropist and former chairman of Stop & Shop Supermarket company, and his wife Esther. It has been host to profound conversations, vibrant performances, and celebrity visits from the likes of activist Angela Davis; bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand; conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Benjamin Zander; fashion designer Joseph Abboud; and Bernice King, lawyer, minister, and youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr. The programs and speakers that grace Rabb Hall are cross-cultural and inter-generational, aimed at encouraging discourse and an appreciation of arts, culture, and activism.

Make your gift of $1,000 or more, per seat, to reserve yours today, and contact Lisa Kernan at lkernan@bplfund.org or 617-859-2031 to arrange for a visit to make your seat selection. Dedicated seats will be adorned with an inscribed silver plaque on the top of the seat-back. With only 306 seats available, this is a limited-time offer so don’t wait! Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @bplfund

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.

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May 12

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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.

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May 9

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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.

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May 8

Open
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.

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May 5

Open
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.

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May 4

Open
“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.

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May 3

Open
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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© 2023 Boston Public Library Fund

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

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