Download the BPL Civil War Brochure (pdf) Jump to: Exhibitions | Programs | Collections | Partners | Slideshow The American Civil War is one of the defining events in United States history. Throughout 2011, the Boston Public Library commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with an array of system-wide programming, including exhibitions, lectures, Read More…
Tag: Boston Public Library
North End Historical Images Newly Digitized by Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library’s Digital Services department recently uploaded a series of images of the historic North End from the 1860s to the 1970s to the Boston Public Library’s Flickr page. These images include photographs, prints, and drawings documenting Boston’s North End in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the bulk of the material covering Read More…
Puleo to Speak on “Dark Tide” at BPL Copley Square
Monday, September 20 • 6pm • Central Library in Copley Square • Rabb Lecture Hall Stephen Puleo comes to the Boston Public Library after his book, Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, was chosen by the people of Boston as the one book that the entire city should read. More than 8,000 Read More…
“Greetings from Boston” Postcard Exhibition
![Old North (Christ) Church, Copps Hill, Boston, Mass. [front]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4898970755_e5b6b2c46d.jpg)
“Greetings from Boston” Postcard Exhibition Now Open
Boston Public Library displays classic postcards
BOSTON — August 17, 2010 – Greetings from Boston is a new Boston Public Library exhibition of vintage postcards that colorfully captures the unique feel, important architecture, and cultural history of early twentieth-century Boston. The city’s thriving neighborhoods are on display, as is the story of America’s long-standing passion for postcards.
Souvenir picture postcards made their American debut in 1893. By the early 1900s, the United States was in the throes of a postcard craze. In 1908 alone, Americans mailed more than 677 million cards. These new cards generated immediate appeal as inexpensive keepsakes and an economical means of communication. Although the “Golden Age” of postcards ended with World War I, postcard collecting is still one of the most popular hobbies in the world.
Back to the North End Beach & Old Time Street Sweeping
Resident researcher, Anne Pistorio, sorts through the old, dusty boxes at the Boston Public Library and sent us these two classic North End photos with the help of BPL’s Aaron Schmidt. The first is a panoramic photo by Frank B. Conlon of the old North End Beach, formerly on Commercial Street. If you are good Read More…
12 State Reps Take Action To Keep All Library Branches Open
Much to the dismay of the Mayor’s Office and BPL Trustees, a group of State Representatives from Boston, including our local 3rd Suffolk District Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, have co-sponsored three amendments in the State budget that would force the City of Boston to keep all the branch libraries open in order to receive $3 million in State funding. While the North End and West End branches survived the City’s proposed budget cuts, four branch libraries remain at risk of closing. (See BPL Trustees Vote to Close 4 Branches; North End/West End Stay Open).
Note: The 12 State Representatives are: Reps. Forry, Moran, Basile, Wallace, Allen, Fox, Honan, Malia, Michlewitz, Rushing, Sanchez and Walz.
Press Release:
Boston State Representatives Mobilize to Save Local Libraries
Twelve State Representatives from the Boston delegation in the Massachusetts State House co-sponsored three amendments that seek to keep all Boston Public Library (BPL) branches open.
“The Trustees of the Boston Public Library and the Mayor of Boston have made clear their budget priorities,” Representative Michael Moran said. “Today, as a united group of legislators from neighborhoods throughout Boston, we are standing together and clearly stating that our priorities are to keep every branch library open.”
The BPL receives over $3 million worth of funding via three separate line items in the state budget. The amendments filed today would add additional language onto each line item, making their allocation contingent upon all 26 local branches remaining open in 2011.
“We had hoped that the Board of Trustees would do the right thing by keeping each branch open,” Representative Carlo Basile said. “Today we are taking steps to make sure that the right thing for our neighborhoods does happen.”
BPL Trustees Vote to Close 4 Branches; North End/West End Stay Open
Following the April 7th meeting where three budget options were proposed, the Boston Public Library Trustees voted this morning to close 4 branches while keeping the other 22 open with existing hours. The North End Branch Library at 25 Parmenter Street will be staying open as will the West End Branch on Cambridge Street. From Read More…
North End Branch Library Survives Cuts; Other Branches Still at Risk
The North End Branch Library is staying open. In a dramatic meeting at the Copley Library this morning, the Boston Public Library put forth three options to resolve its $3 million budget gap, all of which keep the North End Branch Library open. The West End Branch is also staying open. However, one of the Read More…
LaMattina Responds to Constituents Advocating Keeping Library Branches Open
Sal LaMattina Boston City Councilor, District 1 Dear Concerned Resident: Thank you for contacting my office regarding library cutbacks. I share your concerns and I am doing everything possible to keep our branch libraries open. They are invaluable resources to our communities. We are all aware that these are difficult economic times, but when we Read More…
Boston Public Library To Submit 4 Proposals; 3 With Branch Closings
In a response to constituents that sent letters to his office, City Councilor-At-Large, John Connolly, said he expects the Boston Public Library to propose 4 options to meet its budget gap. Of the four proposals, three will recommend neighborhood branch closings. Below is an excerpt from Councilor Connolly’s response. “One frustration on my end is Read More…
Nine City Council Members Send Letter Urging Against Library Closings
In a letter to Boston Public Library President Amy Ryan and the BPL Board of Trustees, nine of the twelve City Councilors said they “believe the BPL needs to broaden of public input and participation, and search for alternatives to neighborhood branch closings.” The Council members say the review process has not vetted other cost-cutting Read More…
Congregation to Protest Library Branch Closings
Community takes vote on proposed Boston Public Library Budget at City Wide Stakeholders’ Meeting Boston: A coalition of residents from across Boston will be congregating at the Cathedral of St. Paul’s to discuss the proposed budget from the Boston Public Library Trustees. The BPL Trustees plan to announce branch closings and cuts to service throughout Read More…