Central Library in Copley Square

Location

700 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116

About

The Central Library in Copley Square, Boston, serves as the flagship branch of the Boston Public Library system. Established in 1848, the library was the first large free municipal library in the United States. The Central Library comprises two interconnected buildings: the historic McKim Building and the modern Boylston Street Building.

The McKim Building, designed by architect Charles Follen McKim and opened in 1895, is renowned for its Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts architecture. It houses the library’s research and special collections, including rare books, manuscripts, and historical documents. Notable features of the McKim Building include the Bates Hall reading room, adorned with a coffered ceiling and arched windows, and murals by artists such as John Singer Sargent and Edwin Austin Abbey.

Adjacent to the McKim Building is the Boylston Street Building, originally known as the Johnson Building, designed by architect Philip Johnson and opened in 1972. This building underwent a significant renovation, reopening in 2016 with modern amenities such as a broadcast studio, innovation center, and enhanced public spaces. The Central Library offers a range of facilities, including accessible entrances, after-hours book return, computers, printing and scanning services, outdoor spaces, reservable community spaces, and Wi-Fi access.

Located at 700 Boylston Street in Copley Square, the Central Library stands as a cultural and architectural landmark, embodying the Boston Public Library’s mission to provide free access to knowledge and resources for all.