Large fans that were delivered to public areas of the BPL's main library in Copley Square this morning are too little too late for workers - especially those in back offices who didn't get any fans - who have been falling faint and developing nausea over more than a week without air conditioning, the unions that represent them say. Read more.
Update: Copley workers are steamed.
Boston Public Library officials say they're hopeful they can turn the air conditioning back on in the new wing of the Copley library early next week after work is finished on a project to rebuild a loading dock at the library - although they caution that, as with any construction project, there could be delays. Read more.
GBH's Jim and Margery show, which normally broadcasts from the new wing of the Copley library, reported this morning it's shifted to the main GBH studios in Brighton because of the library's ongoing AC problems, which started last week.
Brian reports the doors to the main library in Copley Square were shut again. The signs on the doors said just the new wing was closed, but he says there was no staff in the old wing to help puzzled patrons.
A week ago, the signs said the entire library was shut.
Penny Cherbuino snapped the sign posted on one of the doors at the BPL central library in Copley Square yesterday. The BPL reports the library is closed today as well.
Between Charles River Plaza and the Otis House: 12 stories including 2 stories of library space.
A non-profit housing group and its investment partner have won preliminary city approval to replace the current West End BPL branch at 151 Cambridge St. with 119 affordable apartments atop a new two-story library branch. Read more.
Jamaica Plain News reports on the overdue record - which BPL no longer had in its database, since it no longer lends out LPs. But, phew, no fine, since BPL no longer charges late fees.
Rendering by Elkus Manfredi from kitty corner across Boylston Street.
The company that wants to replace the Star Market and the defunct gas station next to it on Boylston Street in the Fenway with a life-sciences building today filed modified plans that call for a new stand-alone Boston Public Library on the 2 1/2-acre site. Read more.
Mayor Wu today announced a pilot program to stock the restrooms at BPL branches with dispensers offering free pads and tampons. Read more.
The East Boston Times-Free Press reports on the BPL's plans for the money left it by Howard Cooper, who died in 2022 in San Francisco but who grew up in Dorchester, went to BPS schools and was a regular visitor to the Copley Square central library as a teenager.
Joe Curnane caught a performance by John Davidson on Boylston Street outside the BPL today.
Davidson, now 81, who was both an actor and a musician, and who guest hosted the Johnny Carson Show 87 times, came down from Sandwich, NH, where he runs a summertime music venue.
QR coded bus book delivery at Ashmont.
The BPL and the MBTA have launched a QR-coded digital-content service that will let people boarding buses at 20 Boston stops quickly access digital versions of books, newspapers and magazines to go. Read more.
Boston is currently seeking handy volunteers who can help residents get small appliances and other items to working again, rather than simply tossing them in the trash. Read more.
The BPDA board this afternoon will vote on spending $100,000 for a consultant to recommend ways to turn Dartmouth Street between the BPL main library and the Copley Square park into a permanent mall for pedestrians and bicyclists - with space set aside for a lane for emergency vehicles. Read more.
Early rendering by Stantec.
The Asian Community Development Corp. says it will soon file detailed plans for a 12-story building with 66 moderate-income apartments, 44 income-restricted condos and a two-floor BPL branch, on what is now a BPDA-owned parking lot bordered by Tyler and Hudson streets between Kneeland and Harvard streets in Chinatown. Read more.
At 10:38 p.m., Frank Solensky posted a photo of hundreds of people watching the Celtics play on a wicked big screen in Copley Square. Read more.
Emulsion Mike was walking through Copley Square last night when he noticed that the statue of Art outside the main library had a new sign (with several similar signs at her base).
WFXT reports BPL librarians are planning a "unity gathering" to support children's librarians at the Copley Square and Hyde Park libraries who have had to deal with wide-mouthed adults who insist they and their spawn have the right to breathe at other patrons in the children's room.
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