Boston Public Library (BPL) is recognized as one of the free municipal libraries in the US. Although the library was expected to be established in 1848, it was not constructed until 1852 ordinance (BPL par 1). It was opened in 1954 when it had a collection of 138 periodicals. It is important to state that the library had many departments, which started to function at different times. For example, the circulation department was opened in 1854 (BPL par 2). The establishment of this library was a significant milestone in the history of the American’s public libraries. Notably, it is located in one of the US largest cities. The 19th century, the library continued to be expanded. It evolved from the idea to reality in 1970 after the opening of a branch in the US (BPL par 3). Many other branches were opened between 1872 and 1900, enabling many communities to access it. Philip Johnson was established in 1972 as part of BPL (BPL par 3). Apart from books, the library serves other purposes. Within the library, there is a collection of tomes and texts, atlases, and printing. Amenities, such as restaurants and café, a quiet internal square as well accessible internet make it attractive (Whitehill 30). The BPL is typified by a lot of wealth, such as tomes and texts that are rarely found in other libraries across the world. It holds many first version folios of prominent poets and other writers, for example, William Shakespeare. Besides, it is a place where contests that enable the public members to view various materials that are available to research scholars only are held (Whitehill 40).
Evidently, the BPL has a fundamental documentation, twenty-four sections, a map center as well as a commerce records. This is in addition to the modern technology where the functional website is accessed (Whitehill 57). The areas that most treasured in the library include the hall that was named after Bates. This is recognized as a significant room in the world. It features itself as a regal barrel-arched top limit that is surrounded by auditorium on every end and other buildings. This hall was name after a London merchant who offered the BPL $50,000 to purchase books (BPL par 4). Another key feature is the Chavannes balcony, which is comprised of beautiful wall painting, ornamental the sides of the Mckim building’s impressive stairway and second-floor corridor. The paintings depict cogitates of encouragements hailstones the strength of the illumination. Some of the buildings of the Library are symbolic. For example, the eight staircase frescos represent the principal subject areas of poems, critical analysis, and knowledge (Whitehill 59). The nest section that forms the next part of BPL is Abbey area is found on the subsequent ground of the library building. It is comprised of fifteen panels that feature one hundred and fifty shapes that illustrate the Arthur as a celebrity. The space in this ground is multipurpose because it is used to highlight beautiful areas of the French people. Another key feature that is found in the BPL is the Sargent colonnade, and it is situated on the third floor (Murphy and Travis par 4). This handles things that are related to the expansion of the world religions. The gallery is named after its painter Singer Sargent, who considered it as his most crucial work. His painting resembled those of Italians Renaissance frescos (Murphy and Travis par 5). This is because it incorporated the architectural details concerning the construction.
Many tours are provided by the library and visitors tour two main areas of the library. Moreover, the carvings and paintings of the famous people are outlined. Tours take a short time and are guided a volunteer (Murphy and Travis par 5). In this, view, it is explicit that the BPL is significant not only to the people in America, but also in other parts of the world. The library is continuing to expand because of increased demand for its access.
- BPL, A Brief History, and Description. 2015. PDF file. 16 Oct. 2015. https://www.bpl.org/general/history.htm.>
- Murphy, Shelly, and Anderson Travis, Disappearance of BPL art may be an inside job: An employee placed on administrative leave; FBI is aiding inquiry. 2015. PDF file. 16 Oct. 2015.
- Whitehill, Muir, Walter, Boston Public Library: A Centennial History. Charleston: CHS: Nabu Press, 2011. Print.
