Why the Library
People turn to libraries to fulfill their aspirations. They want to dive into history, find a better job, or learn more about a topic that intrigues them. No institution does as much as the Boston Public Library to make these kinds of opportunities available to every member of the public—free to all.
Why the Library
People turn to libraries to fulfill their aspirations. They want to dive into history, find a better job, or learn more about a topic that intrigues them. No institution does as much as the Boston Public Library to make these kinds of opportunities available to every member of the public—and does so free of charge.
BPL's Strategic Plan
The Boston Public Library’s new strategic plan is an ambitious road map that lays out the Library’s vision, mission, and values and centers on four key roles:
Welcoming Destination – Creating active, inclusive third spaces where every person can chart their own path.
Trusted Resource – Connecting all people to reliable information and services that meet their needs and enrich their lives.
Community Engager – Expanding the reach of the library beyond its physical walls so we can meet and engage communities where they are.
Lifelong Learning and Research Partner – Empowering curiosity and a love of reading, discovery, and scholarly exploration for all.
The Strategic Plan’s success relies on the strength of our community and the transformative power of philanthropic support. Learn more about the many ways you can partner with the Boston Public Library Fund.
A Place of Firsts
As the first large free municipal library in the United States, the Boston Public Library’s innovations have been shaping the modern library world since 1848. The BPL was the first to lend books, establish a branch library, and create a dedicated children’s room.
Today, the Library stands as a leading urban public library with over 2 million visitors to the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, and an archival center.
- 3rd largest public library in the U.S. with a circulation of 23 million items, after New York City and the Library of Congress
- 6.6 million items borrowed each year, including 4.8 million ebooks and audiobooks
- 148,000 new library cards issued in 2024
Free to all
The Library’s values are anchored in the promise of free to all, a phrase proudly inscribed above the entrance to the Central Library in Copley Square, and incorporated into each newly reimagined branch.
This commitment to welcoming everyone equally—regardless of gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, ability, faith, or economic status—reflects the BPL’s enduring dedication to inclusion, equity, and access.
