Boston Public Library Reviews

Great place but gradually becoming a homeless shelter with the associated hygiene and smell issues. Would not take family.

A beautiful place in the heart of the beautiful city of Boston. Access to the building and free wifi. The architecture of the place and the works in it worth the trip!

Beautiful library with a beautiful architecture. To see and why not take the time to read a book.

This is a treasure. A beautiful place to read or relax. The courtyard is amazing and the reading room feels like you're at Hogwarts! Holding books with their online app and picking them up later works perfectly. I can't wait for the renovations to be completed in the new building.

It's right beside the finish line of the Boston marathon and it is just beautiful inside and out.

BPL is the greatest place to visit. Movie selection is limited and loaded with really old TV shows.

The business section, The Kirstein Business section has Windows and Apple PC's. With a library card one can check out items or order new releases AND use PC's for research or enjoyment.

Security makes frequent checks for rowdy patrons who are warned, and if persistent, they will be asked to depart by in-house security or the Boston Police will be summoned.

Lots of students and adults conducting research every day.

Tourists are welcomed and facility tours can be arranged online.

Whether you are a local or an international visitor, a visit to the Boston Public Library must be included on your itinerary.

I only stopped in for the architecture and it did not disappoint. It's a cool place to look around.

Wonderful old library to visit in heart of downtown Boston with courteous helpful staff...nice and quiet place to read and do research .

Best place to go on a cold day or rainy day !!

They say.... The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history .... Take the time to see this library it's been around since 1895... Sadly one day it might not carry books anymore but hard drives or clouds as we call it now... Appreciate not only how far we have gotten but how we got here.

Beautiful architecture. The atmosphere is so conducive for learning reading too!

A gem of a place. Books, architecture and staff top notch.

If you're new to Boston, you can't afford not to visit the Boston public library. The building is awesome.

There is never a day that I come here and not have wifi issues. The wifi here is very slow compared to other public libraries in and around the city. Sometimes it's like watching paint dry just trying to access emails. Geesh!!! My hotspot is ofyrn times faster.
Great location great space to do work but lousy wifi/speed.

It s very clean and big, useful. You can get membership for free and borrow books and CD
Their garden is also beautiful! Please check it out:)

Attended the high tea at the Boston public library and it was absolutely wonderful. Great food, excellent service and the decor and ambiance is excellent!

Beautiful library with great value, delicate architecture, extensive selection of books, internet connection and strategic location. My bostonian friend told me the library allows homeless people to come and use their laptop, if that's true, then it's so cool. Two thumbs up. Too bad they only open til 5pm.

When I go there I feel welcomed and get great ideas!!! As if I get smarter everytime i go which is a goal accomplished every time I leave.

There's no better place to read than the BPL courtyard. The fountain drowns out all other background noise. In the winter the old reading room is always quiet and bright.

We went for the 2 PM tour on Sunday. The tour guide Tom was amazing and the hour went by just like that. We learned a lot about the library and understood the art and architecture better. He even took us outdoors and showed corner stone etc. I highly recommend taking a tour here to better appreciate the library. The library itself is massive. The old part of the building is more like an art museum than a library. Amazing murals and paintings. I loved the staircase area with its golden color marble and golden sunlight filtering through the glass windows. Looked heavenly. The courtyard is a good peaceful oasis from the busy city outside. We also wanted to get a library card but there was no one at the services desk. We waited half an hour and eventually left. Well, next time.

Historical Library! Bibliophile or not, you can easily spend hours here not only browsing the collection but also walking through the corridors and the different rooms of the building, gazing at the paintings, murals, sculptures, etc.

Verydissapointed that it was closed on the labor weekend and we didn't get to go inside :(

Another masterpiece from McKim, Mead and White in typical Beaux-Arts

Great place, that has a combination of sections that makes it wonderful distention

1- The main whole: full of silence and help you to focus on doing something
2- The open whole: very good place for creative thinking and getting some inspiration
3- The garden: it has a so elegant fountain, the place is great for deep thinking, a good conversation or a good book

Historic building, and one of the most beautiful in Boston. It houses more than 15 million books, as well as rare manuscripts, maps and paintings. Some historical editions of Shakespeare are there, as well as scores by Mozart.

Really cool library it seamlessly connects old with new. One half is classic old library style while the other half is new and eccletic with its own little wine and beer serving cafe. Very clean except some areas just reek of sewer. Very beautiful inside and in the fountain area. Bates hall is a great place to study.

The best central location for any event, we had a reception here and the atmosphere was perfect. The central location was great for all the guests.

Love this place. I opened an account and I can get any book in any format. .

Breathtaking beaux arts building connected with a Phillip Johnson renovated wing. Both absolutely exceptional and worth checking out and enjoying for free.

Must explore if in Boston! I bring everyone visiting from outside of town inside. The entrance is grand and the courtyard is an amazing. You might even see a wedding rehearsal in the courtyard!

This library is architecturally beautiful and a great place to sit in quiet.

It's the best place for you and your child if you love books

My favorite place on earth! The court yard. The coffee shop! And most of all the reading rooms

Really great place to take visitors. Beautiful architecture and art too.

Beautiful building near a lovely park in downtown Boston. Love the atmosphere inside and outside the library.

It's hard to believe that a humble looking library building from outside but have a spectacular architecture inside. This place was not in my place to visit initially. But from exterior of this library seems fascinating. From the old books, to the courtyard and beauty of every room, it's worth your time to visit. The Reading Room upstairs is a lovely place to sit and read among many people. The reading room is like hogwarts as in Harry Potter movie. Amazingly Boston public library is the second largest library in United States. The library also full of history and unique architecture as it was more than 100 years old and established since 1852.

Boston does a lot wrong, but our main branch library is one of the things we get right. Great resources whether it's the Teen Room, the Kid's Room, the computer center, the cafe, or the impressive selection of books and media. If you can't find the book you want, you can submit suggestions. You can also get recommendations based on what you've read and liked. Might be hard to find seating during peak times.

Be prepared to spend hours enjoying the many facets of this very large library, a must see in Boston. There are many different rooms, the architecture is magnificent, reminiscent of the golden age, electronic access, quiet spaces to read or just enjoy the atmosphere. Consider it a museum

Fabulous historic building with ornate decorations. You can visit for free and there are exhibition rooms like the historic Boston maps room. The main reading hall is of another age!

I'm sure most of the previous reviews have covered everything important there is to say about the BPL, but if you happen to come across my review, let me give you a brief summary of what/why I love this building:
- Grand staircase (there's a story behind those lion sculptures)
- Interior design of the Bates Hall in the first floor
- Murals in the Abbey Room, which is adjacent to the Bates Hall
- Murals by John Singer Sargent in the second floor (there's a story behind a few of those panels or the lack thereof)
- The courtyard and the bronze sculpture in the center of it (again, there's an interesting story behind that replica sculpture)

Definitely worth a visit and if you're lucky your visit may coincide with a public event in the courtyard. Check out the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center if you're into maps.

I thoroughly enjoy my visit to the Boston Public Library. I had the opportunity to join the free public tour (details on the library's website). Judy, our very sophic, informative and passionate tour guide shared insightful information on almost everything about, and in the library including the many pieces of art, murals, books, architecture and origin/history of the building. At the Newsfeed Cafe, the library's in-house eatery, I had the avocado toast and lavender lemonade, yum! As expected the staff was pleasant and sociable. Unfortunately the doors to the many balconies of the library were closed, not sure if that is always the case or if it was due to the fourth of July crowd. Overall, my first visit to the Boston Public Library was great, and certainly will not be my last.

I work here so I might be biased, but, it is a really cool place to be.

A building that is designated a national landmark, and another that is currently under renovation, which, when finished, will be a sight to behold.

It is simple....you haven't seen the best of Boston if you haven't seen this library.

What an amazing library! The new wing has amazing technology center and plenty of places to study or socialize. The original portion of the building houses art galleries, archives, and more.

I was pleasantly surprised when walking through this library. It has been recently updated and is modern/interactive. The displays are beautiful and there are thousands upon thousands of books to read. This is a great place for the city.

Absolutely breathtaking. I loved walking the grounds and looking at the exhibits.

Love this place. Almost every source you need is in there. Membership is also easy, you should just show up your rental contract which is in Boston area. Then, you can access all of the sources in both hardcopy and softcopy via Hoopla. DVD collection is so great and they update their collection up to date. Studying and reading in this place is peaceful. You can use internet and computers. The whole day can be spent here.

Beautiful library that's conducive for studying or doing work. There's a nice alfresco area outside with fountain.

I was in Boston for a college conference and took a trip to the library. The environment has a modern feel and a traditional feel! I got my hands on some books that gave me a break from reading off a screen.

Temp scan to return a book? C'mon. Add a temporary dropbox just outside. Edit: Appreciate the reply. The construction on Boylston makes it look inaccessible- I just took another look and had to ask the attendant before finding it. Suggest adding an additional sign at entrance or near construction tunnel access. Thanks!

Place was gorgeous, amazing architecture. Lots of drug addicts and homeless outside.

Restaurant, bar, study areas, and art that is breathtaking. Can't beat this Public Library!

absolute gorgeous library that is worth stepping into. there's no admission but you are restricted to certain areas.

Nice and free to all. Great place to do your work on a laptop

Boston Public Library renovation is beautiful.. love the cafe too!

Boston Public Library is large and equipped with many books and videos. I love it very much!!

There is always a handsome little brother next to promote school efficiency.

A beautiful building that can be quite deceiving from the outside. It is divided by a courtyard between new and old sections.

The old section, the side facing Copley Square, has many beautiful murals and each room with them has a card explaining each one. It is a real treat and plays out more like an art museum than a library. That being said, there is plenty of reference books in this area and seating in "no talking" areas to sit and study in relative peace.

The new section, just a short walk through the courtyard on the first floor, contains a wonderful modern library flowing through 3 stories. The staff here is incredibly helpful. The first floor contains some mesmerising interactive panels on the walls, cataloguing electronic scans of Boston Public Library's archives by different categories.

Don t get fooled by how it looks from the outside. For the inside is what surprises you the most! Take a left turn once you go in and your suddenly in a secluded garden listening to fountain water. Great place to chill, read, do work or have tea. The afternoon tea at the Map Room cafe is just wonderful

Gorgeous. So beautiful. The building is amazing. The history was astounding. The art was breathtaking. Go on the tour. Just go. You should go. Listen and soak up history.

The Kirsten is a great business reference resource. Excellent staff.

The security is at best a group of rude individuals with poor people skills.

Most, if not all of the elevator inspection decals have expired.

Still, despite the confluence of disturbed people; many of whom are homeless, the BPL remains 5-STAR...

I love this library I been coming here since I was 16 I love it and its like 10 blocks from my apt I love it and I don't like the new changes in library but it cool its looks nice as hell i love it ....

Gosh, I wish I could rated the cafe and library themselves to give them both five stars. Bates hall is beautiful and I've of my favorite places to study in Boston. The whole wedding is beautiful, with a lot of history (check out the Guastavino room, named after the brothers that created the architecturally significant ceilings in many of the rooms). Lastly, the cafe is the best keep secret in the area for lunch during the workday.

I am not a member of this library, but I visited when I was in Boston and was awestruck by the grandeur. Please stop by, if you are in Boston. This is one of the oldest libraries in United States, and the architecture is marvellous. The reading rooms, cafe, everything s is grand and nice.

The Boston Public Library may be the most stunning library in the USA. It opened in 1895 in downtown Boston a few blocks from the famous Boston Common. The outside is stunning, but wait until you go inside. You'll feel like you're in the Vatican in Rome rather than in Boston.

There's much to explore once inside. Take time to climb the stairs and read about its history. If you need a place to read or work, go to the Bates Hall. It's stunning and has dozens of long wooden tables with outlets and free wifi. On the bottom floor are restrooms and a restaurant.

The outside courtyard is where many hang out at. There's a fountain in the center and tables along the side. Again, it transports you straight to Europe.

Beautiful and storied architecture - worth a visit just to see the contrasts between the old and new buildings.

A great, peaceful place to sit and watch the world go by while reading your favorite book or magazine. There are plenty of spaces to sit as well as a cafe or two in this library complex.

I Love BPL. Great staff who are welcoming & knowledgeable.

One of the most public libraries, I have ever seen! It s the must for visiting. Well maintenance, tidy stone floor and wall. So many historical spot in here!

I m a bookworm and I visit every big library on my trips. When visiting Boston I had to stop at this library. It has two sides; the older side and the newer side. I absolutely love the older side with its old architecture and beautiful wall art. The court yard is so beautiful. I personally would not be able to do much studying there with all the visitors; but if you re like me and love books you must visit this place.