Events

Maps trace out the complicated history of places, and we can use them to document geography in much the same way that we can use diaries and letters to document biography. 

In the eight cases of this exhibition, we follow the changing…

In the Leventhal Map & Education Center’s exhibition Terrains of Independence, maps will offer an entry point to a reconsideration of the Revolutionary War through the lens of locality and place.

In 1775, a collision of word-historical…

Schedule a FREE 1:1 Career Coaching Session with a MassHire Downtown Boston career coach. In these sessions, our coaches can provide you with the latest information on:

October 7, 2025 - April 3, 2026Tuesday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Out of the Box: Unpacking the World of Archives opens up archives to visitors, demonstrating what archives are, what we can learn from them, and what archivists do to…

Marking 250 years since the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston reflects on the nation’s founding ideals, asking: To whom were these promises…

Need in-person help with the court system in Massachusetts? 

Visit the Central Library to meet Court Service Center staff in-person! 

Court Service Center staff can answer questions, help with court forms in certain types of…

This introductory workshop will share benefits and research in baby sign and your communication with your baby as well as ways to teach your baby many American Sign Language Signs. For pre-verbal children. 

Accessibility Notice: We…

Need help with using our online Business Electronic Resources? 

Meet with a Kirstein Business Library staff member and get help at our drop-in on the second Thursday of every month from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 

Can't make…

Drop in to make some fun art! Kids ages 5 and up can join us for a different process-art project every week. 

Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language…

Practice speaking English with other adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners in a relaxed and friendly group led by a volunteer instructor.

To get the most out of this group and feel comfortable participating, a basic…

Visit the library and receive homework assistance from a Boston Public Schools teacher. This is a drop-in program; no registration is required to attend. This program is made possible through our partnership with the Boston Teachers Union…

Step into the world of creativity and innovation with our hands-on 3D Design workshop tailored for teens.

In this exciting session, participants will learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling using friendly software and explore how digital…

A staged reading of A Revelation of Character, a new, short play commissioned by the Associates of the Boston Public Library from award-winning playwright Patrick Gabridge, in collaboration with Plays in Place.

A Revelation of…

October 7, 2025 - April 3, 2026Tuesday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Out of the Box: Unpacking the World of Archives opens up archives to visitors, demonstrating what archives are, what we can learn from them, and what archivists do to…

Marking 250 years since the Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition Revolution! 250 Years of Art & Activism in Boston reflects on the nation’s founding ideals, asking: To whom were these promises…

Children and caregivers can enjoy a musical performance, raise their voices, and join in!

This program is generously donated by the Louise H. Allen Children's Music Fund.

Ages 0-5.

Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events…

Practice speaking English with other adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners in a relaxed and friendly group led by a volunteer instructor.

This group is specifically for Ukrainian speakers learning English. 

To…

Practice speaking English with other adult ESOL learners in an informal and friendly group setting. The group is led by a volunteer instructor and will take place in person at the Central Library in Copley Square.

Class requires basic…

The Boston Public Library is partnering with Comcast and its Cybersecurity team to share actionable advice to stay safe online, refresh digital literacy skills, and provide tips to avoid phishing and other online scams. This session…

Will we always have Paris? Maybe—but maybe not. 

Place names change over time. But why do they change? And what can those changes tell us about the values and priorities of a society?

In this installment of From the Vault, we’ll look…