Boston Public Library Reviews

Consider hiring custodians. Every bathroom is a nightmare.

One of the prettiest libraries I've been to. The library offers a daily (free) tour at different times day to day which I highly recommend. The tour itself can be a little long (2 hours+) but you can leave at any time. Tons of history here--the murals cover the second floor and each have a story behind them. There are also engravings on the entrance doors that represent a different virtue (e.g. wisdom, etc.).

The courtyard is perfect for photos as well as their study room on the second floor. Interestingly enough, the architect of this library also designed/built my alma mater's library at Columbia University in New York. No wonder it looked familiar!

Stunning library, hundreds of seats, quiet and ambient noise areas. It is open everyday until 5pm.

My home away from home. Everything you need is here. Culture and social connections here flourish growth of knowledge and interpersonal relationships.

Take a step into a movie of an old word library with gorgeous art, vast selections of new and old books, and gorgeous architecture.

Probably the most beautiful libraries I ve ever seen. It s like a museum with all the statues and art work. This was one of our favorite stops of the whole entire trip!

Beautiful library and helpful staff. They let a lot of homeless people hangout here but that's my only compliant.

One of the most beautiful and accessible libraries in the world and one of my favourite places to visit in Boston. Don't miss the gorgeous murals and the delightful courtyard.

I learned of this library while on the duck boat tour. The tour guide recommended it and so we gave it a try. It is truly impressive. There is a lot of art and a beautiful courtyard. This place is so majestic, that they have weddings here. There was actually a wedding here on the day I went here. The groomsmen were in the bathroom drinking nippers... lol
I'm sure there are lots of fascinating books that one can borrow, just like any other library. This is definitely, without a doubt, the greatest library I have ever visited.

It is the best place for sightseeing breaks in the library that anyone can use. Air conditioning is working and it is quiet, the building itself is heavy and wonderful. There is a desk with a charge in the space next to the cafe of 1F, there is also a beautiful toilet, and if you get tired to walk you should absolutely stop by.

The new renovation is EXCELLENT. The best place to work and read on a Saturday.

Beautiful library, clearly inspired by Bibliotheque Ste Genevieve of Paris, France. It also has a contemporary extension at the back, which houses many collections, reading rooms, and a radio recording station (!) that can be viewed by visitors.
When I visited in August 2019, the Library had on an amazing temporary exhibition about mapping America, with a collection of maps dating back to the early modern times. I also attended the Art & Architecture tour which highlighted the history of the most significant rooms in the Library.
Personally I am not a fan of Italian Revival, but the tour was still quite interesting. I loved how welcoming the atmosphere in the library is, and the easy access to all of its resources, even though I was a visitor from Europe.

Stunning building with fantastic study/work space on the second floor. It s so quiet in there that I almost blew my eyeball out it s socket trying to hold in a sneeze in an effort to not be THAT GUY disrupting studious folks by echoing sneezes around the cavernous room. There s a nice little cafe -called Map Room Cafe - on the second floor with coffee, tea, pastries, and a handful of sandwiches. Whether you re looking for a place to work or just looking for a cool place to visit, stop on by.

I can't stress how much I love the Boston Public Library. Tons of room with the new building open, the best selections of books you can find in a public library in this area, and gorgeous historical architecture that you want to get lost in. There are two cafes (and one turns into a bar, I hear) that offer coffees and pastries (a little overpriced in my opinion). There are also tons of talks and events that you can find on the BPL website on everything from career, to planning the future of Boston. Highly recommend visiting the library if you are in town.

This place is part library and part museum. Highly recommend if you like libraries.

It has really changed since my high school days and I like it. The amenities are nice, although it does make finding books more difficult. But it is a nicer place to hang out and do homework. There are a few homeless people fighting. But the architecture is also amazing.

Too many old story books that aren't even that good. The book you may want to read are for sale in barnes and nobles. Place is all messed up, it stinks like piss and people in there makes too much noise.

2nd largest public library in US. Once you enter, you get a feel of a museum as the interior is majestic. The Liberty is comparatively quite considerably the number of tourists entering the building.

Take.A.Tour! The free, daily Art and Architecture tour is one of the top 3 highlights of my trip to Boston. The library is both a historical treasure that can hardly be crammed into an hour tour, and, a modern, fully loaded library complete with cafe.

Unfriendly, unhelpful staff, I wonder how some of these people can work with the public. Librarians should provide information in a professional manner and be polite and courteous. The woman I spoke to behind the reference desk when asked how to get to another part of the library yelled "go down that hallway" as if that explained it all. She then said "forget go down that hallway" as though I was stupid and didn't understand her. The library needs staff who can convey information in a polite, articulate and professional manner.

Best place for book lovers, literature search, language books. Historically profound and centrally located in Boston.

Nice library that with great architectural styles. Excellent place for reading, snapping a few cool pictures, a place for clearing your mind and just a nice spot to walk through if you are in the area. Be sure to see the main reading hall. It always looks great

Very good experience, the public library of Boston is unique !

We recently visited Boston and found the Boston Public Library on Copley Square to be an unexpectedly very good attraction to visit.

Here you will find several exhibition areas that are potentially worth visiting. We enjoyed both the Mapping America's Road from Revolution to Independence as well as the Women in Cartography exhibitions, finding both well worth 15-30 minutes of your time.

We also greatly enjoyed seeing the lovely Bates Hall as well as the lovely murals that adorn the walls and various gallery rooms which you can freely visit and see within the library. In particular, the Abbey Room series of paintings known as The Quest and Achievement of the Holy Grail were quite impressive. As were the Chavennes Gallery murals. We also greatly enjoyed seeing the John Singer Sargent murals installed on the second floor between 1895 and 1919.

The library includes a lovely courtyard that is delightful to visit, a real oasis with tables for you to sit and enjoy a beverage from the library cafe. We found free wifi with a strong signal as well so this can be a good place to rest your feet and check emails as well.

In the end, we spend around 90 minutes at the Boston Public Library and were delightfully surprised at how much we enjoyed our time here, finding this one of the more memorable attraction we experienced in Boston. We would gladly return to view the artworks, lovely courtyard and the to see exhibitions here during future visits to Boston.

Note: Free tours of the Boston Public Library are available. See their online website to learn more if interested.

Stunning library that is a fantastic place to come study, or even just walk around and explore! There are many different wings and areas to discover. Particulary impressive is the Bates Reading Room. The courtyard is lovely for photos or just to sit outside and enjoy a nice day with your book or snack. The mezzanine area has an impressive collection of international books in many different languages.
A must visit for anyone looking for a quiet and beautiful place to study or enjoy architecture in Boston!

I just love wandering around the BPL. The rooms and courtyard of the older building are just gorgeous and feel like the private residence of some long-deposed ancient royal family. They have lots of special events like the incredible Shakespeare exhibit this year. Apart from their physical books, they have a large e-book collection that I highly recommend. It's easy to borrow e-books and you never have to worry about due dates and fees.

It is almost impossible for me to downplay a library. The BPL is right up there with the Library of Congress and the NYC Library.

Unfriendly staff here makes the BPL a place to think twice about before visiting! If the staff here doesn't like the way you look they will harass you.

Boston's beautiful and stately library, all resources here are free.

The librarian was incredibly helpful and friendly. The library itself was beautiful, and all in all, the Boston library was great!

My favorite library on the world, when you get in you feel very enthusiastic and very stong. One of the must see place in Boston

Review after nine months. I will come back one day!

Looks beautiful. Security is stingy since they got nothing better to do than to pick on the littlest things that does not matter one bit.

We enjoyed a tour around the library unfortunately we were un able to finish it as we had afternoon tea booked. The library is an amazing place,well worth the visit to get around probably two visits would be fitting. The afternoon tea was delicious very impressed, different from your average tea. The staff looked after us very well kept us filled up with tea.

Love the interior design and feel good to be in it.

Elegant nuptials /
Green lights, flowers everywhere /
Ancient library

Very beautifull. Free guided tour with Gail is very interesting.

Amazing library will take your breath away. These books have been well preserved, some from over 150 years ago. It's a piece of history and a wonderful piece of architecture as well. Wander around and enjoy an old book. Plenty of quiet spaces to sit and think where the windows let in the sun.

An architectural jewel of neo-Renaissance style. It has to be on the list of those who can't leave Boston without visiting it, from end to end.

My favorite library of all time.Lots of rare books and old periodicals.

Staff is very nice and helpful! They do a lot more than they're paid for! :) love being in this place.

Amazing!! I won't mind studying again in a place like this.

Stumbled upon this but it was really cool library! Especially enjoyed the rare books section. Definitely worth a visit and especially because it is right next to my favorite square in Boston (coplay square).

Made a trip from Detroit to explore the city and had to stop here because the art is exquisite.

It has a great selection of books as well as a map room, a nice cafe, and a comfortable sitting area. There is a teen room that has a pretty good book selection. Wifi, places to sit, and video games. There is also a children's room with a bunch of picture book and some beginners chapter books. It is a great enviroment that makes you want to read and explore. Everywhere you turn you find out something new a bout the library.

Free events/classes organised here. Beautiful artwork here

Bates Hall - my most sacred place in the world, a secular tribute to the power of knowledge

The old history of the Boston Library is one not to be missed visiting Boston! You've probably seen it in numerous movies. Not only are there books, but amazing craftmanship, and art. Take the time to walk around and examine all this library has to offer!

Very beautiful and nice and quiet to read or work on the computer

This place is amazing for both, studying and visiting. It has many areas you can walk in with an amazing yard with a fountain in the first floor. It combines the vintage style (more visited for tourists) and the modern style (for people who want a quieter place to read).
It's my fave spot to study. Totally love it!

Like a firefly! How can I learn to be so beautiful haha

wonderful place to study. You can find many books for free if you have the library card. Once you have the card you can read almost all the books that you need even in the website like ebook. You can find movies and series tv, everything for free. Great spot.

What a beautiful library !
Bates Hall is wonderful.
A must see !

All the resources you could imagine or want in a beautiful building. The courtyard has a European feel and there are plenty of quiet reading rooms for the most studious. Recommended stop for any out-of-towner visiting the city. The concert in the courtyard series during the summer is worth checking out!

Beautiful building is worth the visit, beautiful area in downtown Boston where pleasant walks are possible

Boston Public Library is a architectural wonder that must be seen in person when visiting Boston. Located in the heart of the city near Copley Square and the Copley T station getting is easy. The original structure is breath taking and you will be left in amazement at the grand entrance and beautiful details on the wall and the ceiling. Once in the main part of the library the common study area is truly magnificent and the ceiling detail is one of a kind. As you continue through a modern addition has been added on which blends beautifully blends old and new together.

What a beautiful library
Sitting inside and wanting to read quietly
Enjoy this ancient building
And beautiful light

Awesome library with really friendly staff and inviting to tourists

you know I gotta
say I
really like it

Look out for tour opportunities of the old building. The renovated extension building is great.

A beautiful space. The juxtaposition of modern and classic architecture is really interesting.

Love visiting this library, especially the older section, and just wandering around.

a gift from the city of Boston to those who love to read and study.

This is one of the best public library soon Massachusetts which is located in Boston it s very clean there is a very beautiful reading area is very quiet peaceful and I would recommend it to anyone that is a book reader who reading can come here and enjoy to read a book. Also the computer that you can use for anything that you like and you can arrange movies beautiful place to recommend it to everyone

Perfect place to explore when it's chilly outside. The Boston Public Library expertly combines beauty with functionality. Honestly, just being there makes you want to read more! There is something for every age and interest. Not just books either - cafes and exhibits too. Guided tours are available just about every day.

We walked over to the library on a brief stay on Boston. We spent probably and hour there. It's a beautiful building and I'd recommend seeing it.

We coincidentally were there while they were having a book sale (which I think they do every 2 months), so we bought 3 books for $7.