Marty believes libraries are places of learning where everyone is welcome. Residents of all walks of life rely on libraries for access to knowledge, resources, and community, including young children, teenagers, older adults, and newcomers to our city. Marty is strongly committed to his vision for libraries: that every library branch in Boston should meet the needs and reflect the qualities of the neighborhoods they live in. Boston led the way as the first city to have a large, free municipal library, and we’re making sure we continue to lead in this new era of digital access.

Read about what libraries mean to Marty personally.

Marty’s Record

  • Setting the standard for world-class public libraries. In 2016, the city celebrated the completed renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square, a model for a welcoming, inspiring library with 21st-century amenities. The expanded Central Library received multiple awards, including the prestigious 2017 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and Boston Preservation Alliance Award.
  • Investing in neighborhood library branches. Marty has directed the city to invest $100 million in the neighborhood branches of the Boston Public Library. The city recently opened the brand new Jamaica Plain library, the busiest branch in the Boston Public Library after the Central Library.
  • Expanding service across the system. His first year in office, Mayor Walsh instituted and expanded weekend hours at all 24 branches.
  • Bringing library services back to Chinatown. Mayor Walsh brought back library services to the Chinatown neighborhood, which has been without this critical resource for nearly 60 years. Short-term services will open this fall and stay open through the next phase: planning for long-term services.
  • Making immigration resources available in libraries across the city. Through the Office of Immigrant Advancement, Mayor Walsh set up Citizenship Corners at all libraries where newcomers to our city can access information about citizenship and services like English language classes.
  • Making open data accessible to the public. Boston Public Library is using a grant from the Knight Foundation to catalog Boston’s open data collection and turn it into an accessible resource for all.

Marty’s Plan

  • Bring permanent, long-term library services to Chinatown. Marty is committed to permanent library services for the Chinatown community.
  • Transformative investments in neighborhood library branches. In the city’s 2018 Capital Plan, Boston is investing $14.5 million Dudley Branch construction, as well as moving forward on branches Fields Corner, Uphams Corner, Adam Street, and Roslindale. Mayor Walsh has also directed the City to invest in facility improvements at Lower Mills, Parker Hill, South Boston, South End, and West Roxbury branches. As part of the Imagine Boston 2030 launch in July, Mayor Walsh announced plans for a new Upham’s Corner branch library in Dorchester. Learn more, here.