Massachusetts Celebrates National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025

In celebration of National Library Week, April 6-12, 2025, here is an overview of public, academic and private libraries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts has 370+ public libraries and 1,400 academic and specialized libraries, including nine library networks that provide the library catalog, the ability to borrow from neighboring libraries, circulation, patron registration, public Internet access and other critical services.  Among the highlights:

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

• The  John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum at Columbia Point in Dorchester is a federal repository of the papers and holdings of President Kennedy and his administration. The JFK is a treasure trove of information about the Commonwealth’s native son, and also contains materials on mid-20th century politics in America.
• The State Library of Massachusetts, located at the State House on Beacon Hill, has a vast collection of important government documents dating back to the founding of the nation. It contains official documents pertaining to Massachusetts’ participation in various wars, and all of the regulations and laws passed by the Massachusetts Legislature in its history. Search the State Library’s digital repository for more information.
• The Boston Public Library (BPL), founded in 1848 and acclaimed as the People’s Palace, continues to share its incredible collections of books, videos, music, genealogy resources and educational materials to the world. The BPL has 25 branch libraries throughout Boston’s neighborhoods.
• Outstanding university libraries include John J. Burns Library at Boston College, Mugar Memorial Library at Boston University,  Healey Library at University of Massachusetts/Boston, Widener Library at Harvard, Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe Institute and Holy Cross Libraries in Worcester. 
• The National Archives hold the permanent archival records of the federal government, and this month is releasing the 1950 U.S. Census. Massachusetts is fortunate to have two of the thirteen regional facilities located around the country, in Waltham and Pittsfield.
• Perkins School for the Blind Library has the world’s largest repository of books for the blind and deaf.

Boston Athenaeum

• The Boston Athenaeum on Beacon Street, founded in 1807, contains more than a million volumes, with particular strengths in Boston history, New England state and local history, biography, English and American literature, and the fine and decorative arts.  Other Athenaeums in Massachusetts include the Salem Athenaeum, incorporated in 1810; the Berkshire Athenaeum, opened in 1872, the Nantucket Athenaeum, opened in 1834; and the Westfield Athenaeum, incorporated in 1864.

Many Massachusetts libraries are architectural gems. The Springfield City Library was funded by Andrew Carnegie and built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style in 1912. 

Hull Public Library

The Hull Public Library was the former home of celebrated Irish poet and activist John Boyle O’Reilly.  The Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, Woburn Public Library and the Malden Public Library, were all designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, one of the nation’s preeminent architects of the 19th century, and the Milton Public Library, a Beaux Art style designed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.   

Here is a Directory of Public Libraries in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Library System is a handy resource providing services to about 1,600 Massachusetts libraries. Massachusetts has numerous specialty libraries, including 15 Trial Court Law Libraries.

Finally, check out Digital Commonwealth, a non-profit collaborative organization disseminates cultural heritage materials held by over 180 Massachusetts libraries, museums, historical societies, and archives.

National Library Week is organized each year by the American Library Association.

Research, Text and Photos, Michael Quinlin