Boston Libraries

Let’s talk about libraries in Boston.

First of firsts there’s the Boston Public Library, the world’s first public library. (Lots of libraries claim similar titles, but this was the first one that was truly free and public for everyone.) What’s it like? Inspiring. I have a bad habit of tearing up when I think too much about libraries, and this one had me nearly as choked up as the Library of Congress. The library’s founders created a building deliberately intended to evoke lofty thoughts about literacy and democracy and freedom using a stately combination of windows and marble and murals. The holdings are extensive, the rooms are grand, and the entire experience is spectacular. I recommend the architecture tour as a must-see of Boston. A few weeks ago I spent the day in the library reading about Magna Carta and feeling all-around inspired by liberty and the power of the word and such.

Then there are the university libraries. I’m particularly fond of Simmons’ library, which has a Bibliomystery section full of mysteries that take place in libraries. (Books I recommend about libraries include The Brixton Brothers, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, Bats in the Library, and The Library Lion. And of course there are The Librarian movies.)

Then there’s the local library. Our Watertown library (part of the MinuteMan network) has a lovely modern and historic design with high windows and neat shelves of shiny plastic-jacketed books. There's even a bright local history room full of genealogies where my roommate has already found several books about her ancestors. And just up the road from the Watertown library is the Armenian Library and Museum of America.

Then there’s the convenience library: Somerville West Branch right next to my work. Just thinking of it makes me happy. It has a stone façade with pillars that makes it look like an old bank: very impressive. Walk inside and what do you find? Two tiny rooms with ancient wood floors and a few stands of romance novels and videotapes. After two visits I got up my courage to descend the rickety stairs by the entrance and at the bottom I found . . . the children’s dungeon. I mean children’s section.

What a place! Wrought iron frames the medieval murals painted on literally crumbling walls. I’m not sure if chunks of the wall were deliberately ripped off to give it an ancient feel, or if someone thought, Gee, our walls are falling apart. How can we make that look intentional? In either way it’s simultaneously the most homey and terrifying library I’ve ever visited.