Boston Public Library celebrates Library Lovers' Month with Public Art Project

Unique collages of the hearts will then be displayed at each location for public viewing.

Boston Public Library locations throughout the system are celebrating Library Lovers’ Month with a public art project, asking library users of all ages to fill out paper hearts with the reasons they love their library. Unique collages of the hearts will then be displayed at each location for public viewing. At the Central Library in Copley Square the hearts will be posted in the temporary 20-foot pedestrian pathway at the entrance to the Johnson building, currently being used while the building is under construction. Boston Public Library will accept heart submissions through February 29.

“The BPL provides endless opportunities for learning and new experiences to Boston residents in all of our neighborhoods; that’s why I love the library,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “I encourage library users to share their stories and support such an important resource.”

“We would love to hear from everyone by telling us what they love and why,” said David Leonard, Interim President of the Boston Public Library. “This should be fun and informative, providing a new way to interact with patrons, and will give us valuable feedback on resources and programs that are especially meaningful.”

Patrons are encouraged to grab a heart from a circulation desk, fill in their reason for loving the library, and drop it in the Valentine’s Day box. For those who can’t make it to the Central Library or one of the 24 branches to fill out a heart, the public is encouraged to tweet to @bplboston using #LibraryLoversMonth. The BPL will be taking the Twitter suggestions and posting them at the Central Library. In addition, at the end of the month, the BPL Facebook page will host a competition between the 24 branches, and have the public vote on which branch display is their favorite. The staff at the winning branch will receive a special gift.

Reasons to love the library (all are free)!

Computer access
Books
E-books
DVDs & music
Video games at Teen Central
24 neighborhood branches
Fun and friendly children’s librarians
Knowledgeable reference staff
WiFi
A beautiful place to do work, read a book, relax
Concerts
Story times
Arts & crafts
Digital magazines
Resource databases
Exhibitions
Special Collections
Technology workshops
ESL classes and conversation groups

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-four branches, map center, business library, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit bpl.org.