And where would that be? Well, I believe it is Boston Public Library. Having traveled to the remarkable city of Boston in September of 2005 (and now, this has been almost nine years ago – some of what I describe may have changed), I took the opportunity to visit the Public Library. Established in 1848, this library was the first municipally supported library to lend books to its citizens without cost. It was also the first public library system to open a branch library (there is one branch that opened in 1931 and is still being used), and it was the first public library to open a children’s reading room. The building that now houses the main library is located on Copley Square in the Back Bay and opened its luxurious doors in 1895. Named after the architect, the McKim building is a national landmark and was designed as a monument to the people of Boston. The building is majestic with its modest elegant exterior and lovely arched windows. The interior is opulent, by today’s standards, with gorgeous marble inlaid floors, marble columns, huge arches, wide main staircase, and fantastic reading rooms (one with leather chairs). This building now houses the reference/research facilities, special collections and other offices. There is also a cafe and a restaurant on the first floor.
The Johnson building, constructed to the rear of the McKim building, is more contemporary and houses all the circulating collections. These two buildings surround an Italianate courtyard perfect for studying and sipping coffee from the café. During my visit, the place was bustling, people in the reading rooms, people enjoying the wonderful weather in the courtyard, folks using the twenty 15-minute Internet Access computers, people browsing the new book area, people asking questions at the Information Kiosk. Wow, it was reassuring to see such activity, such interest; yes just one more example of why libraries will live on, and on, and on…..a blend of old and new, of firsts, seconds, thirds….
(Post-script: I dedicate this brief essay to the Boston Strong effort. Thank you, Boston!)
The Johnson building, constructed to the rear of the McKim building, is more contemporary and houses all the circulating collections. These two buildings surround an Italianate courtyard perfect for studying and sipping coffee from the café. During my visit, the place was bustling, people in the reading rooms, people enjoying the wonderful weather in the courtyard, folks using the twenty 15-minute Internet Access computers, people browsing the new book area, people asking questions at the Information Kiosk. Wow, it was reassuring to see such activity, such interest; yes just one more example of why libraries will live on, and on, and on…..a blend of old and new, of firsts, seconds, thirds….
(Post-script: I dedicate this brief essay to the Boston Strong effort. Thank you, Boston!)
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