Boston Public Library

05/29/2026

To honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the BPL has released the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month booklist!

This booklist features select books written either by AAPI authors or about AAPI history and culture. Swipe for 5 poetry book recommendations!

📕Building the Perfect Animal by C. Dale Young
📗Cold Thief Place by Esther Lin
📙Mele by Kalehua Kim
📘Primordial by Mai Der Vang
📓Tan's Donuts by Maya Cheav

Learn more about the booklist: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/1860812659/2953334397

05/28/2026

Applications are OPEN for the Associates of the Boston Public Library's 2026-27 Alan Andres Writing Fellowships!

📚 Alan Andres Writer-in-Residence: A year-long residency (Oct 2026–Sept 2027) with a $70,000 stipend, $2,500 for professional development, and a private office in the BPL to complete a children’s or YA project (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays, or graphic novels).

📖 Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship: A $25,000 stipend plus $2,500 for professional development to write picture books for ages 0–2 (board books) and 3–8 (picture books and early readers).

Applications close on Friday, June 5, 2026.

For more details and the application form: https://www.associatesbpl.org/events-and-programs/writer-in-residence-program/

05/27/2026

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 for an Author Talk with Nicholas Boggs!

Author Nicholas Boggs will be speaking about his bestselling biography of James Baldwin, Baldwin: A Love Story, in celebration of both Pride Month and Juneteenth.

Learn more about this event: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a024cd8e8af4a2f0071cc56

05/27/2026

Join us on Wednesday, June 3 for a Beginners Guide to News Literacy!

This workshop will introduce generative AI, focusing specifically on its implications to news and media literacy.

Using resources from the News Literacy Project, you'll learn about the technology as well as how AI is changing and impacting the information landscape.

Learn more about this event:

This workshop will introduce generative AI, focusing specifically on its implications to news and media literacy. Using resources from the News Literacy Project, patrons will learn about the technology as well as how AI is changing and impacting the information landscape. We will also discuss the in...

05/26/2026

Join us on Thursday, June 4 for Q***r Nightlife: A Business Panel & Drag Show!

You'll hear from some of Boston’s most exciting nightlife organizers, DJs, and performers.

🗣️Speakers include: Thais Rocha of Dani's Q***r Bar, Stevie Psyclone of Club Cafe, DJ Pussywillow of Houseboi, Camilo Cazimi of Frolic, and Sydney Winter of Jacques Cabaret.

⭐After the panel, keep the energy going with a drag show featuring Slick O’Connell and Chanel the Angel.

Learn more about this event: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/6a04e9ff1ed2c2bb2e2d3490

05/26/2026

Our next library card is in your hands 🌈💭

The BPL is inviting artists of all ages to take part in a Library Card Design contest in celebration of Library Card Sign-Up Month this September!

🎨How does it work?
One adult (18+), one teen (13-17), and one youth (0-12) winner will have their original artwork featured on official BPL cards in circulation during 2026–2027.

✉️ What do you submit?
An original design that reflects what the library means to you and your community.

The contest will run from May 15 through June 15, 2026. Start creating!

Learn more at https://www.bpl.org/boston-public-library-card-design-contest/

05/25/2026

Join us on Tuesday, June 2 for a Pride Month Panel Discussion!

The BPL and QNEST will host a Pride Month discussion on building understanding and support for LGBTQ+ youth. Speakers include: David Pamieri, Connery McFadden, Laura Cohen-Gordon, and Bryan Blaisdell.

Learn more about this event: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/69fca6668e677a28001a7600

Join us and QNEST for this Pride Month discussion on building understanding and support for LGBTQ+ youth. Speakers include: David Pamieri David Palmieri is a Catholic educator and founder of Without Exception, an international network supporting LGBTQ+ students in Catholic schools. He works with sch...

05/25/2026

Join us on Wednesday, June 3 for Genealogy: All About Lucretia!

Lucretia Crocker was a native of Massachusetts, a pioneering science educator, and a strong advocate for women’s education. In this class we will learn how to find as much information as we can about her using resources available at the BPL.

Learn more about this event: https://ow.ly/952f50Z3i1W

Lucretia Crocker was a native of Massachusetts, a pioneering science educator, and a strong advocate for women’s education. In this class we will learn how to find as much information as we can about her using resources available at the BPL, which may inspire you to do a deep dive on one of your o...

05/25/2026

This , we honor the military personnel who have bravely served our country.

Located in front of City Hall in Providence R.I., the Soldiers and Sailors Monument was dedicated on September 16, 1871 and was one of the first monuments nationwide to memorialize black soldiers who fought in the Civil War.

📷: Soldiers Monument, "Exchange Place" Providence, R.I. as it appeared "Decoration Day" May 30th 1874
Arts Department, Boston Public Library

05/22/2026

Join us on Saturday, May 30 for the "Darby Vassall Lives On" Walking Tour!

Denise Washington, educator, and descendant of Darby Vassall, and educator Joel Mackall will guide this walking tour of Beacon Hill.

Each stop on this tour reflects a key location in the life of Darby Vassall (1769-1861), a lifelong community activist who endured slavery and seized freedom with his family.

Learn more about this event: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/69df912b4dacf581ff88e7f5

Join Denise Washington, educator, and descendant of Darby Vassall, and educator Joel Mackall for a walking tour of Beacon Hill. Each stop on this tour reflects a key location in the life of Darby Vassall (1769-1861), a lifelong community activist who endured slavery and seized freedom with his famil...