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Description
The Boston Public Libraries are the city's civic treasures. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the libraries have been open for business. On this episode of Commissioners Corner, Host Lois Leonard is joined by David Leonard, President of the Boston Public Library to discuss services offered to residents at all branches across the city.
A
Welcome
to
commissioner's
corner
I'm
your
host
lois
leonard,
and
thank
you
for
joining
us
as
we
continue
to
journey
through
these
unprecedented
times.
We
look
to
find
normalcy
and
sometimes
just
a
way
to
get
through
the
day,
perhaps
you're
taking
longer
walks
eating
your
favorite
comfort
foods
or
spending
more
time
in
front
of
the
tv.
But
let's
talk
today
about
another
favorite
pastime,
one
that
can
be
totally
free
to
all
reading
our
boston,
public
libraries,
even
during
a
pandemic,
are
open
for
business.
A
B
A
B
I
think
we
all
have
memories
of
libraries
from
growing
up
or
when
our
grandparents
took
us
there
and
those
tend
to
dominate
our
consciousness
sometimes,
and
even
though
we're
in
the
middle
of
a
pandemic.
Today
yeah,
we
were
a
little
worried
when
we
closed
back
in
march
of
last
year.
If
people
would
forget
about
us
even
more,
and
it
turns
out
that
even
though
many
people
are
using
our
services
online
instead
of
being
able
to
come
in
and
visit
us
in
person,
we
have
done
more
business.
B
If
you
will,
in
total,
with
with
patrons
in
boston
and
across
massachusetts
than
we
did
in
2019,
so
we're
providing
a
role.
It's
not
quite
the
same.
You
know
I
have
the
beautiful
bates
hall
behind
me
here.
This
is
not
a
virtual
background,
but
it's
not
quite
the
same
as
being
able
to
visit
a
a
part,
a
library
in
person
or
take
a
book
official.
B
Yeah,
so
across
all
of
our
open
locations,
which
is
22
branches
in
the
central
library,
we
have
a
couple
still
closed
for
renovation,
which
we
can
talk
about
in
a
bit.
But
you
can
put
a
book
on
hold.
You
can
do
that
online.
You
can
get
our
app.
You
can
just
call
the
library
and
we'll
we'll
help
you
with
that.
If
it's
too
difficult
to
navigate
our
systems
and
then
you
make
an
appointment
and
you
come
pick
up
your
books
and
you
take
them
away
again.
B
So
that's
our
bpl
to
go
service
at
all
of
our
open
locations.
I'm
sorry,
you
said
bpl
to
go.
Bpl
to
go.
Libraries
around
the
country
are
using
this
model
to
stay
in
touch
with
patrons
in
person.
Some
are
calling
it
curbside
pickup,
but
for
us
it's
it's
bpl
to
go.
A
Well,
in
addition
to
the
the
traditional
let's
take
out
a
book
you're
also
offering
computer
access,
how
does
one
sign
up
for
that?
We.
B
Are
so
if
you
go
to
our
website,
which
is
bpl.org
right
now?
This
is
a
service
only
on
offer
at
the
central
library
where
there
are
a
number
of
sessions
each
day
where
you
can
come
in
and
use
a
session
for
about
90
minutes
or
two
hours
once
it's
a
little
safer
to
do
so.
We
hope
to
add
this
at
some
of
our
branch
locations
throughout
the
city.
B
A
Well,
I've
also
heard
the
term
outdoor
internet
access
how?
How
does
that
work.
B
Yeah,
I
mean
just
let
me
talk
about
that
in
brief
for
a
moment,
because
you
know
this,
we've
said:
there's
nothing
like
being
able
to
take
out
a
physical
book
and-
and
you
know,
there's
limited
opportunities
for
that-
there's
a
tremendous
set
of
offerings
online,
but
for
many
individuals
you
know
it's
a
challenge
to
get
online:
they
either
don't
have
broadband
access
or
they
might
not
even
have
a
device
or
perhaps
some
of
their
their
skills
are
not
what
they
need
to
be
to
truly
participate
in
our
online
world
today.
B
So
one
of
the
ways
that
we're
trying
to
solve
for
those
problems
is
that
at
nine
locations
we've
extended
boosted
our
wi-fi
signal,
basically
outside
the
library.
So
even
if
you're
across
the
street-
or
you
know
a
building
or
so
away,
you
can
hop
on
the
network
there
and
gain
access
to
what
you
need
to
do.
B
Yeah
I
mean
hopefully,
as
we
eventually
get
into
spring
it'll,
be
much
more
used
service,
but
it's
it's
one.
One
small
way
that
we're
just
trying
to
help
bridge
the
digital
divide
in
our
society.
A
And
in
addition
to
you
know
physical
book
that
one
can
take
out
and-
and
I
assume
is
there
an
appointment
to
go
pick
up
that
book
there.
B
Is
yes,
some
of
the
branches
that
have
a
little
more
flexibility
are
just
letting
you
come
right
in
and
as
soon
as
it's
ready.
Since
you
get
the
notification
that
it's
ready,
but
some
of
the
busier
locations
are
doing
it
by
appointment.
Only.
B
Well,
I
think
it's
it's
it's
it's
more!
What
people
are,
what
types
of
books
people
are
reading
and
we're
seeing
a
lot
of
people
check
out.
Just
some
fiction
works
to
to
keep
their
mind
off
current
reality.
B
Others
are
using
the
time
to
maybe
take
an
educational
journey
into
anti-racist
literature
and
what
we're
doing
around
racial
equity.
There
are
book
lists
on
this
topic
on
our
website,
and
you
know
one
particular
area
that
I
was
thrilled
to
see
there
be
interest
in
throughout
last
year
was
biographies
and
particularly
biographies
that
are
of
a
political
nature,
a
really
interesting
take
on
what
what
people?
What's
what's
catching
people's
attention
at
the
moment.
A
And,
in
addition
to
books
are,
they
are,
are
we
able
to
take
out
dvds
and
cds
and
other.
B
Yes,
yes,
so
all
of
those
materials,
including
wi-fi
hotspots
for
those
that
need
access.
So
that's
another
addition
to
our
things.
You
can
check
out
from
the
library,
so
they're
all
they're
all
available
and
in
addition,
you
might
want
to
check
out
an
audiobook
online
or
an
ebook
online
or
possibly
a
movie
that
you
can
download
we're
partnered
with
canopy
for
some
of
some
of
the
downloadable
movies,
as
well
as
other
services,
strange
things
called
hoopla
or
zinio,
and
you
can
find
out
all
about
those
on
our
website
as
well.
A
Well,
beyond
these
physical
services,
what
other
resources
is
the
library
offering
people
at
the
moment.
B
Yeah,
so
really
what
I
was
so
proud
of
our
staff
that
they
were
able
to
accomplish
real
early
in
in
the
pandemic
last
year,
was
taking
our
in-person
programming
and
migrating
it
to
the
online
platform.
So
children's
story
hour
book
clubs.
B
You
know
all
of
these
kind
of
programs
have
been
available
online
since
since
as
early
as
march
or
april
of
last
year,
and
we
were
really
glad
to
see
our
homework
assistance
program
get
relaunched
online
as
well,
and
so
you
can
find
out
more
about
that
also
on
our
website,
and
that
is
an
opportunity
for
our
all
of
our
kids
to
get
help
with
their
homework,
because
we
know
there
are
several
populations
in
our
society
that
are
in
danger
of
being
left
behind
during
this
very
very
trying
time,
and
this
is
one
way
of
helping
out
our
the
young
people
in
our
society,
and
this
is
homework
assistance
program.
A
So
I
we
all
know
how
challenging
this
school
year
has
been
not
just
for
children
but
for
the
teachers
too.
So
who,
who
are
the
people
involved
that
are
doing
the
mentoring?
Doing
the
the
tutoring.
B
Yeah,
so,
under
the
supervision
of
our
librarians
and
library
staff,
the
young
people
are
older,
older
students
themselves
who
sign
up
and
go
through
the
training
and
then
conduct
these
mentoring
sessions
with
the
younger
children
as
well.
So
so
it's
good
not
only
for
the
younger
children
to
get
help
with
their
homework.
It's
an
opportunity
for
the
older
children
to
really
and
our
young
people
to
be
engaged
in
in
giving
back
as
well.
A
That
sounds
like
a
wonderful
program,
hack,
right,
hap,
okay
and
again
more
information
online
to
see
how
you
can
sign
up
for
something
like
that.
I
was
really
happy
when
I
was
going
through
online
in
your
services
to
see
that
you
also
have
a
virtual
art
and
architecture
tour
yeah.
B
Yeah,
so
this
building
behind
me,
which
is
one
of
our
real
gems
in
the
system,
was
opened
in
1895
and
we
were
able,
through
the
support
of
a
generous
donation
from
bank
of
america,
which
was
shepherded
through
the
boston
public
library
fund,
support
the
launch
of
this
incredible
brochure.
It
was
started
as
a
brochure
we
were
going
to
print
copies
and
have
it
available
to
visitors,
but
we
were
able
to
make
an
online
version
of
that.
That's
a
little
more
interactive.
A
Now,
obviously,
you
have
the
the
wonderful
job
of
being
able
to
physically
be
in
these
libraries.
Quite
often,
do
you
have
a
favorite
piece
of
art
or
sculpture
or
series
of
artworks
that
you
enjoy
the
most.
B
Well,
I
you
know
it's,
that's
always
a
very
difficult
and
dangerous
question
to
ask.
Just
don't
ask
me
to
pick,
which
is
my
which
branch
is
my
favorite
or
you'll
really
get
me
into
trouble
with
people,
but
here
at
the
central
library
you
know
the
the
siobhan
murals
just
outside
around
the
grand
staircase.
If
you've
ever
been
here.
These
are
the
murals
by
puvi
de
chavon,
and
one
of
them
is
a
telling
of
philosophy
as
a
muse.
B
Each
of
them
is
about
different
muses
and
there's
some
interesting
sort
of
ironic
takes
on
a
few
of
them,
but
my
favorite
is
philosophy
because
we
had
to
do
a
restoration
project
for
that
several
years
ago
and
it
came
out
beautifully,
and
everybody
was
very
nervous
at
the
time
but
great
to
see
it
restored
to
its
former
glory
and
preserved
for
generations
to
come.
B
A
B
A
It
is
it's
it's
all
so,
inspiring,
truly
and
in
boston.
We
boast
the
first
free
large
municipal
library
in
the
united
states
and
again
truly
inspiring
when
you
read
about
its
histories,
so
many
committed
people
that
it
took
to
make
this
happen.
B
B
They
were
men
right
so
a
different
time,
but
they
wanted
for
a
variety
of
reasons,
for
boston
to
have
its
own
public
library
and
they
combined
their
resources
with
with
the
mayor
at
the
time-
and
this
is
one
of
the
real
early
private
public
partnerships
that
even
today
helped
keep
the
library
sustained
and
alive,
and
so
it's
it's
really
inspiring
to
read
about
joshua
bates,
for
whom
the
bates
reading
hall
reading
room
here
is
named
after
and
and
some
of
his
other
other
colleagues
as
well,
and
we're
really
proud
of
our
firsts
in
boston.
B
So,
yes,
the
first
municipally
funded
large
public
library
in
the
country
there
were
some
smaller
ones
a
little
earlier,
but
but
we're
we're
proud
of
that
and
we
think
the
first
branch
in
the
country
as
well
so
so
east
boston
will
actually
celebrate
not
the
current
building.
But
the
one
of
its
previous
buildings-
but
this
was
the
first
neighborhood
of
boston-
to
have
a
a
branch
of
the
boston
public
library
in
its
in
its
vicinity.
So
we'll
be
celebrating
that,
presumably
virtually
in
about
a
month
or
so.
A
Well,
I'll
look
forward
to
that
one,
because
the
people
of
boston
are
still
inspiring
us
today.
The
city
recently
completed
the
reconstruction
of
the
roxbury
branch
and
nubian
square,
and
I'm
told
it's
a
state-of-the-art
facility
and
in
fact,
mayor
walsh,
he
recently
delivered
his
last
state
of
the
city
address
right
there
in
that
hall.
So
it
looked
amazing.
B
Yeah,
it
was
a
tremendous
opportunity
to
take
what
is
the
largest
branch
in
the
system
at
27
000
square
feet
and
transform
it
from
a
1970s
architecture
that
was
well,
let's
say,
very
inward,
looking
and
not
terribly
inviting
from
the
outside
and
really
do
a
mini
version
of
what
we
did
with
the
central
library
here
on
boylston
street
five
years
ago.
Basically,
open
it
up
have
a
sense
of
invitation
to
the
neighborhood.
B
You
can
find
it
on
our
youtube
channel
and
visit
virtually
until
it's
safe
to
visit
in
person,
but
this
is
just
one
aspect
of
mayor
walsh's
commitment
and
the
city
of
boston's
commitment
to
renovate
several
branch
libraries
during
this
period,
we
all
are
now
looking
forward
to
reopening
the
adams
street
branch,
which
is
a
totally
rebuild
branch
on
the
same
site
as
the
previous
branch,
but
also
the
roslindale
branch
has
gotten
in
complete
renovation,
more
of
the
interior
in
that
case,
as
we
did
preserve
the
architecture
of
that
structure
during
during
the
project.
B
So
those
are
just
three
awesome
projects
that
were
we're
happy
to
have
back
in
the
family
are
coming
soon
in
late
spring
and
and
summer
of
2021
and
they'll.
Be
there
waiting
for
people
when,
when
it's
safe
to
come
back
into
our
buildings,.
A
B
Right,
the
the
branch
in
oak
square,
the
faneuil
branch-
is
just
starting
construction
and
we're
really
looking
forward
to
seeing
that
branch
get
a
much
needed
renovation,
one
of
the
few
that
were
not
fully
accessible
in
the
system.
B
Excuse
me,
and
so
you
know,
the
community
is
very
enthusiastic
about
preserving
as
much
as
possible
of
the
original,
but
still
allowing
us
to
meet
our
accessibility
requirements,
add
a
little
space
and
you
know
just
make
it
as
much
of
the
21st
as
of
the
20th
century.
B
Oh
that's
right.
Yes,
we
recently
got
news
that
the
mayor
had
appointed
five
new
trustees
to
our
board,
so
we're
enthusiastic
about
welcoming
them
to
the
team.
B
We
had
four
vacancies
and
we
also
want
to
thank
our
outgoing
chairman
bob
gallery
for
his
incredible
years
of
service
to
us,
so
his
vacancy
plus,
the
new
four
allows
us
to
welcome
navjeet
bao
from
the
finance
sector,
senator
mike
rush
state
senator
mike
rush
to
our
team,
as
well
as
the
mayor's
chief
of
policy
joyce
lenigen,
a
dorchester
resident
and
we're
also
joined
by
christian
westra
from
the
11th
hall
map
and
education
center.
Here
at
the
boston
public
library.
B
They
have
their
own
board,
but
it
brings
that
organization
a
little
closer
to
the
family,
as
well
as
joe
berman
from
the
associates
of
the
boston
public
library,
also,
an
organization
that
supports
our
special
collections
area
of
work,
and
so
all
of
our
affiliates
now
are
represented,
the
other
one
being,
of
course,
the
boston
public
library
fund
with
jeff
hawkins,
the
chair
also
on
our
board,
and
so
we're
really
excited
to
welcoming
them
all
to
the
team.
A
Sounds
like
very
diverse
and
just
a
well-rounded
group
of
people
from
very
different
places
in
the
city
that
can
be
obviously
just
great
support
to
you.
B
Yeah
no
combined
with
the
existing
membership.
It's
a
really
strong
representation
of
interests
across
the
city.
Different
neighborhoods
and
the
bpl,
of
course
has
a
role
as
the
library
for
the
commonwealth,
statewide
and
so
having
some
representation
from
outside
of
boston
just
shores
up
the
whole
enterprise
as
well.
A
Well,
you
know
I
I
would
be
remiss
if
I
didn't
share
with
you
that
the
very
first
job
that
I
ever
had
was
working
in
our
school
library,
and
I
can't
tell
you
how
long
ago
that
way.
It
was
because
it's
a
little
embarrassing,
but
it
was
during
the
time
when
we
were
still
using
the
card.
Catalog,
certainly
nothing
online,
and
but
what
it
gave
to
me
was
such
a
beautiful
joy
that
I
feel
even
to
this
day.
A
Every
time
I
walk
into
a
library
and
smell
the
books,
and
I
find
it
a
very
relaxing
place
to
be
to
just
browse,
to
walk
through
the
aisles
and
I'll,
never
forget
that
dewey
decimal
system
in
the
card
catalog,
so
they
don't
still
use
those
do
they
card
catalog.
B
Oh,
we
do,
it
might
not
have
been
that
long
ago
that
that
you
were
using
a
card
catalog,
but
one
of
the
little
gems
of
the
behind
the
scenes
work
that
we've
been
doing
while
closed
in
our
special
collections
area
is
that
we've
taken
the
remaining
card
catalog
system,
which
is
thousands
of
cards,
supporting
our
rare
books
and
manuscripts
collection
and
they've
all
gotten
scanned
in
and
for
the
first
time
we'll
be
making
all
of
that
collection
much
more
accessible
in.
B
Indeed,
this
is
one
of
the
projects
at
the
central
library.
In
addition
to
all
that
branch
work
we
talked
about
earlier.
We
also
are
closing
in
on
the
last
year
of
renovating
the
rare
books
manuscripts
department
here,
and
so
this
will
be
a
wonderful
new
space
to
visit,
which
probably
this
time
next
year,
sometime
around
then
will
be
reopening
to
the
public.
B
Yeah
we're
we're
yeah,
we're
busy,
you
know,
and
I
think
what's
great
is
not
only
are
we
continuing
to
offer
what
services
we
can
in
person?
So
much
is
being
offered
online
right
now
and
then
all
of
these
behind
the
scenes
projects,
if
you
will
are,
are
continuing
and
so
we're
we're
trying
to
not
miss
a
beat
while
we're
all
dealing
with
with
this
pandemic
and
all
of
its
impacts.
A
So
we'll
all
benefit
from
much
that
you've
learned
over
this
last
year
of
covid.
While
you
have
been
online
to
the
extent
that
you
are
it'll
benefit
benefit
us
down
the
road
as
your
your
services
just
grow
and
grow
and
grow.
B
We
think
so.
The
challenge
I
think
in
the
years
ahead
will
be
what
what
have
we
been
doing
over
this
last
year
that
we
want
to
continue
doing
more
of
while
returning
the
right
mix
of
in-person
services
as
well.
And
so
I
don't
have
the
crystal
ball
on
that,
but
we're
we
believe
we're
up
for
the
challenge
as
we
as
we
learn
more
and
as
we
can
get
back
in
person
when
it's
safe
to
do
so.
A
B
A
Well,
we'll
talk
about
that
offline,
but
we'll
see
now.
Thank
you
so
much
for
talking
with
us.
I
hope
we
get
to
do
it
again
soon
and
also
thank
you
and
your
whole
team
for
being
committed
to
bringing
to
us
all
these
wonderful
services.
We
appreciate
it
very
much
and
lastly,
let's
remind
everybody
bpl
to
go.
A
Throughout
the
month
of
february,
the
boston
public
library
will
be
honoring
black
history
month
and
every
month
offers
educational
and
cultural
events
that
you
don't
want
to
miss.
So
please
go
to
their
website
at
bpl.org
and
check
out
the
schedule
of
events
that
you
can
take
advantage
of
from
the
comfort
of
your
own
home
and
a
bonus
during
covet
times.
All
book
late
fees
have
been
suspended.