Ask yourself: What’s a library? Often, what comes to people’s minds are old buildings filled with books. They create good study spots and environments for productive activities. But many people need to learn that these libraries serve as underrated spots to engage in activities with your community, for free!
Boston is home to 239 libraries, 25 of which are branches of the Boston Public Library. With several locations, it’s not shocking to know that each branch is unique. In a city that can lack diverse entertainment, these niches come in handy.
The BPL branch in Hyde Park is one of many local libraries known for their inviting events. The Hyde Park Branch offers resources aimed towards teenagers including the “Teens Room,” run by veteran librarian John Kenney. The Teen Rooms at Boston Public Library branches provide teens with a safe space to study, find books that interest them, and connect with friends. Notably, Mr. Kenney runs two clubs in the Hyde Park teen room, the Anime Club and the Gaming Club. The clubs meet once a week and welcome young adults to game and or watch anime together while sharing snacks, food, and drinks.
Are you bored after school and want to waste some time? Go to the BPL’s Teen Room to play video games! The Teen Room located at the Boston Public Library in Copley, “Teen Central,” is my favorite, as the community there is vibrant and welcoming with a multitude of games to play.
Some BPL branches offer other unique events (not just for teenagers) to meet people and connect with your local community throughout the year. At the Hyde Park BPL branch, there are events led by librarians and community members. There are book clubs, classes, kids entertainment, and other activities. One of the bigger draws is arts and crafts. These art activities include knitting, painting, sculpting, and much more! There are also fun cooking classes that I definitely would recommend.
The last thing I want to touch on is the free museum tickets given out by BPL branches. To get these tickets you must attain a Boston Public Library card. With a Boston Public Library card, you will not only gain access to each branch of the BPL, but also local museums — including the Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and much more. Though the things I’ve mentioned may not all be offered by your BPL branch, there are a lot of cool resources and events that take place in them. So, don’t miss out! Go to your BPL branch and explore what it has to offer.
