BOSTON, MA – November 25, 2024 – The Boston Public Library (BPL) is inviting visitors to explore its historic spaces through a new, dynamic digital visitor guide now available on Bloomberg Connects, a free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The guide offers unique insights into the nearly one million square feet of history, architectural treasures, and modern spaces found within the Central Library in Copley Square. The guide is accessible for both on-site and virtual visits, bringing the BPL’s spaces to life through immersive photo and audio features.
Free of charge, the guide includes an audio tour that showcases the library’s rich history and iconic spaces. Visitors can follow a Highlights Tour of popular spots like Bates Hall, the Abbey Room, the Sargent Gallery, and more; navigate the building with an integrated map of both the McKim building and Boylston Street building; and discover current exhibits in Special Collections, the Leventhal Map & Education Center, and Gallery J.
Additional features include BPL Favorites, which offers a glimpse into beloved corners of the library selected by staff, and Hidden BPL, which unveils the stories behind closed doors and historical areas typically inaccessible to the public. With audio transcripts available in 42 languages, the guide is designed to make the BPL's rich history and resources accessible to a diverse audience.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the BPL’s new digital visitor guide, a resource designed to enrich each visitor’s experience by offering a deeper, more interactive connection to the library,” said BPL President David Leonard. “We’re eager to see how people engage with this guide and look forward to building on it as part of our ongoing commitment to enhance the BPL experience. We are proud to partner with Bloomberg Philanthropies and to join other local and global cultural institutions that are using digital tools to connect with their audiences in new and meaningful ways.”
To start your BPL journey and experience the library’s rich history firsthand, download the Bloomberg Connects app from the App Store or Google Play and search "Boston Public Library."
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ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
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.
The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.
The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public. The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu. To learn more, visit bpl.org.
ABOUT BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and X.
