BOSTON, November 9, 2020 – The Boston Public Library today announced that the Faneuil Branch will close temporarily beginning November 20, 2020 in preparation for a planned $14m renovation, opens a new window. The last day of BPL To Go service will be on November 20, and the branch is expected to remain closed for approximately 18-24 months. The project is being led by the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Department, along with the Boston Public Library. The design firm for the project is Oudens Ello Architecture.
“Across the city, we have made it a priority to invest in our libraries as they provide essential resources for our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “The renovations to the Faneuil Branch will help make the branch more accessible and sustainable, while preserving the character of the space and addressing the needs of the Oak Square and wider Brighton community.”
“This long-planned renovation for the Faneuil Branch at Oak Square will both preserve the core architecture, increase and modernize usable space, deliver accessible services, and is a wonderful product of community input coupled with library and architectural expertise,” said David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library. “We are committed to serving the Oak Square and broader Brighton community during this renovation; patrons who were using the Faneuil Branch for , opens a new windowBPL To Go services, opens a new window can stay connected through our other locations, including the nearby Brighton and Honan-Allston branches, and through our wide array of online services & events, opens a new window.”
The Faneuil Branch is the smallest and oldest facility, that has not been renovated, in the BPL system, but hosts a high in-person visitor rate. The renovations include a new addition that will bring the Gross Square Feet (GSF) up from 6,411 to 11,400. The $14 million in improvements and renovations include accessibility updates to the entrance and restrooms, upgraded technology, a community room that will cater to a range of programming needs, a new children’s space, sustainability enhancements to the building, and updated interior finishes and furnishings that still preserve the historic character and Art Deco design elements of the space.
Located at 419 Faneuil Street in Brighton, the Faneuil Branch opened in 1931, replacing a temporary location on Brooks Street. The branch currently serves Brighton residents, workers, students, and community organizations and is known for its excellent children’s programming and collections, as well as author talks, book discussions, musical performances, art exhibitions, and more. The branch is renowned for its iconic Art Deco ornamentation, which will be preserved in the renovation.
Library patrons are asked to use the nearby Brighton Branch, opens a new window for BPL To Go service, opens a new window or one of the BPL’s other neighborhood locations during the closure. For more information on the Faneuil Branch renovation project, visit: bpl.org/faneuil-project/, opens a new window.
The Mayor's most recent capital plan (FY21-25) includes more than $130.5 million for libraries. In addition to the renovation of the Faneuil Branch, the FY21 budget includes the construction of a new Adams Street Branch, major renovations to the Roslindale Branch, design for a major renovation at the Fields Corner Branch, continued repair, renovation and master planning projects at the Central Library in Copley Square, planning activities for the Upham's Corner and Chinatown Branches, and programming studies at the Codman Square, West End, and Egleston Square branches, These projects include community engagement to gain input, feedback, and insight from patrons and local organizations. More information on these additional projects can be found at bpl.org/capitalprojects, opens a new window and apps.boston.gov/capital-projects/, opens a new window.
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About Boston's Public Facilities Department
Part of the City of Boston's Operations Cabinet, the Public Facilities Department, opens a new window supports all City departments in their efforts to improve customer services to Boston's constituencies. The Public Facilities Department oversees all major construction projects at City-owned buildings and is responsible for managing the programming, planning, design and construction for new buildings and major renovations across all neighborhoods in Boston.
