In honor of National Library Week—celebrated this year from April 6th to 12th—we’re highlighting five of Greater Boston’s best libraries for Emersonians to explore.
National Library Week, an annual event sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1958, honors the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. This year’s theme, “Drawn to the Library!” aims to bring even more people through the library doors to take advantage of the wide range of resources they offer, emphasizing how libraries “connect people, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning” (ALA). Read along to see which library you should visit next!
Iwasaki Library (Emerson College)
Who needs to leave Emerson’s campus when we have one of the best libraries Boston has to offer right on Boylston street? Found on the third floor of the Walker Building, the Iwasaki Library is so much more than just a place to print your fifteen page short story before workshop. It’s a “facilitator, partner, and catalyst for research, learning, and creation on campus.” You can collaborate one-on-one with expert librarians for help with everything from research papers to pedagogy philosophies, reserve a study room for group projects or Zoom meetings, and even pick up free donated magazines and books (perfect for a scrapbook project!).
Need a book that isn’t on the shelves? The Iwasaki Library is great with the interlibrary loan system. Life hack: request your textbooks through the library’s interlibrary loan system to save a few dollars and support the library’s services.
Plus, the Iwasaki Library is open later than most public library locations—until 11pm on weeknights—which is a game changer for grad students who work best at night. Not to mention, the Iwasaki Library is quite active on social media; be sure to check out their Instagram for valuable events, resource updates, and their take on funny viral trends. Bonus: grab one of their limited edition bookmarks at the start of each month!
Boston Public Library – Central Library (Copley Square)
A quick fifteen-minute walk from Emerson’s campus, the Central Library houses the Boston Public Library’s largest circulating collection and is one of the most iconic study spots in Boston. Tourists come far and wide to catch a glimpse of the renowned Bates Hall, complete with arched ceilings and emerald green lamps. Because the Central Library offers free computer use, a teen space, and lots of study nooks, it can often attract a crowd. But don’t falter—reading a book outside in the picturesque McKim Courtyard is worth it! The library also houses the Newsfeed Cafe for a quick coffee or sandwich and the Courtyard Tea Room.
Another benefit of this library’s size is access to a myriad of DVDs and CDs, in addition to nearly any book you can dream of. This location is also often where many BPL events are held, including live radio shows, computer classes, book clubs, poem readings, and more.
Watch this video to see aerial footage of all the beautiful architecture the Central Library in Copley Square has to offer.
Cambridge Public Library (Cambridge)
Calling all natural light lovers! The Cambridge Public Library, with its wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, is the perfect place to study in the sunlight. Located just five minutes off the Red Line’s Harvard Square stop, this library is a great chance to explore spaces a bit further outside of Boston’s main downtown area. It offers a more relaxed and academic atmosphere, great for long writing sessions or just a change of scenery.
Beyond its comfy study spaces, the Cambridge Public Library offers a multitude of free resources and workshops to help you become the best version of yourself. There, you can attend workshops that focus on everything from 3D printing to studio recording and even Tai Chi.
Need to host a club meeting or a small event? Another perk that this library offers: anyone can reserve a meeting room, conference space, or event venue through their website. This facet can come in handy for larger Emerson club events or focus groups. And of course, don’t miss their impressive selection of curated nonfiction and fiction books.
Boston Athenaeum (Beacon Hill)
The Boston Athenaeum, a quick jaunt from the northern side of Boston Commons, is a member-supported library, museum, and cultural center. This athenaeum—another word for library—overlooks the Granary Burying Ground, a nod to the library’s history and valuable role in the heart of Boston.
With renovations and expansions as recent as 2022, the Boston Athenaeum remains one of the country’s oldest and most distinguished independent libraries, boasting a circulation of over 500,000 books, some of which were published in the nineteenth century. Here, you can flip through a curated collection of rare books, maps, manuscripts, and photographs. The athenaeum is also home to Folio, an indulgent restaurant surrounded by books with surprisingly affordable dishes.
However, for a graduate student, membership prices for unlimited visits tend to be on the more expensive side. But if you want to live out your academic main character moment (which we always suggest you do), consider purchasing a day pass to soak in all the history and charm this library has to offer. Pro tip: your Emerson ID grants you access to everything on the first floor for only $8!
Boston Public Library – Parker Hill Branch (Mission Hill)
More into the dark academia aesthetic? Look no further than the Parker Hill Branch of the Boston Public Library. A hidden gem found a short distance from the Roxbury Crossing Orange Line stop, this library boasts a more low-key vibe paired with beautiful Gothic architecture. The building’s stone exterior against the vibrant autumn leaves or white snowfall is one of the best views in Boston.
Though smaller than some of the other libraries on this list, Parker Hill’s peaceful reading rooms are great for heavy workload weeks or just browsing—especially if you’re into mystery books, which this branch specializes in. It’s also home to the Streetfeet Archives, a powerful collection highlighting the Streetfeet Women, a culturally diverse group of writers and performers founded in 1982.
Another special touch: frequent visitors love reading in the front yard of Dolly’s Garden, a tribute to the branch’s children’s libraries for over twenty years. And when you need some extra fuel, the surrounding neighborhood is full of quaint coffee shops and local restaurants—ideal for a post-library pick-me-up.
With funding cuts to libraries across the country, these vital community spaces need our support more than ever. As book bans and censorship efforts continue to increase, National Library Week reminds us to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers, from Emerson’s campus and beyond. So keep showing up for your local library: encourage friends and family to get a library card and keep browsing the shelves for your next favorite read!
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