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Boston Public Library (BPL) welcomes you to the beautiful city of Boston! Whether you've relocated from abroad, moved to Massachusetts from another state, or transitioned within the state, we trust you will find value in the Library. BPL comprises 26 locations including the Central Library situated in Copley Square and our beloved neighborhood branch libraries. We offer an array of free in ...
BPL Staff Picks: February 2026 Every month staff from across the Boston Public Library system recommend their favorite books for all ages across a variety of genres.
About the BPL Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room.
BPL History Founding Established in 1848 by an act of the General Court of Massachusetts, the Boston Public Library (BPL) was the first large free municipal library in the United States.