The Boston Public Library, on Copley Square, was the first large free municipal library in the United States, and its 1895 McKim Building is one of the great public interiors of the country. Visitors can wander through a marble entrance hall, climb a grand staircase, and sit in the long, barrel-vaulted Bates Hall reading room. The arcaded courtyard offers a quiet green spot, and entry is free.
Charles McKim's design for the library is Italian Renaissance in spirit, built of pink granite and filled with sculpture and art that were meant to inspire ordinary citizens. The entrance hall opens onto a sweeping marble staircase flanked by stone lions, and the walls above are decorated with murals by Pierre Puvis de Chavannes. On the third floor, John Singer Sargent's large mural cycle, Triumph of Religion, fills a gallery with a complex, sometimes dense, history of belief. These interiors make the library as much a museum as a reading room.
Bates Hall, the main reading room, is the visual highlight, with a long barrel-vaulted ceiling, rows of green-shaded lamps, and tables where Bostonians still read and study. The building's interior courtyard, modeled on an Italian cloister, is a peaceful space with an arcade and a fountain, and a cafe nearby serves lunch and coffee in good weather. Regular tours of the art and architecture are offered, and check the library's website for times and for any restrictions on photography or access in certain rooms.
The library faces Copley Square, which also holds Trinity Church and the John Hancock tower reflected in its glass, so a visit fits easily into a Back Bay walk. The Copley station on the Green Line is a minute away. Because it is a working public library, noise and behavior expectations apply, and some areas may close for events. Weekday mornings are quiet and weekend afternoons are busier. A visit takes as little as thirty minutes if you only see the main hall and courtyard, or an hour or more with a tour.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided walk through a historic public library, with optional art and architecture tours.
Best time
Weekday mornings for quiet reading rooms; check opening hours before you go.
How long
Thirty minutes to an hour, longer with a tour.
Tips
Look for the Sargent murals on the third floor, sit in Bates Hall for a minute, and visit the courtyard. Check the library's website for tour times and photography rules.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Architecture lovers, book lovers, and anyone who enjoys a free, beautiful interior.
- Families
- Older children can enjoy the grand spaces and the courtyard; the library also has dedicated children areas.
- Couples
- A quiet, pretty stop on a Back Bay walk.
- Pair with
- Trinity Church, Copley Square, and Newbury Street are right beside it.
- Time needed
- Thirty minutes to an hour.
Good questions
Is the Boston Public Library free?+
Yes. Entry to the McKim Building and its public spaces is free.
What should I see first?+
The marble staircase and the Bates Hall reading room, then the courtyard and the third-floor Sargent murals.
Does it offer tours?+
Yes. The library offers tours of its art and architecture. Check its website for times.
Where is it?+
On Copley Square in Back Bay, next to the Copley station on the Green Line.
Can I take photos?+
Generally yes in the public spaces, but check current rules, since some rooms have restrictions.
