There's finally a little less construction on Boylston Street, and a fun new library to 'check out'

Jul 13

Jul 13 There's finally a little less construction on Boylston Street, and a fun new library to 'check out'

What better way to spend another blisteringly hot day in Boston than having a nosy around the air conditioned new wing of the Boston Public Library?

The project has taken almost three years, so the Johnson building has been scaffolded since before I began at Emerson. Now the scaffolding has been taken down, there's actually quite a nice building under there! Somebody should tell Emerson.

Not sure why there's a bust of Albert Einstein on the right. But it makes you feel smart. — Not sure why there's a bust of Albert Einstein on the right. But it makes you *feel* smart.

Libraries are really cool places, and now that I'm reading books again and not just people bashing keys and posting to the internet, I intend to utilise it for its primary purpose and rent my little heart out. Just as soon as I finish the existing stack of books on my bedside table.

Lia, looking puzzled by one of the litany of new interactive touchscreens in the lobby.

None of the renovated rooms give the McKim Building's Reading Room a run for its money, but the new wing is bright, airy, and inviting, and has more desktop computers available than anybody needs in 2016. Where's the Oculus Rift?

Pretty cool also is the plethora of new meeting rooms and spaces the library has designed for groups to be able to meet and work. I love the idea of cities facilitating the exchange of ideas, and I think the BPL's dedication to this is really exciting.

A one woman group, and lots of awesome city posters

Spaces like these are what really do make Boston great, and I'm pretty stoked to find an excuse to come back to the BPL. Maybe to read a book or something.