Boston Public Library
Mission
The Boston Public Library's mission is to preserve and provide access to the historical record of our society, and to serve the cultural, educational, and informational needs of the City and the Commonwealth.
Performance Report
- FY09 Quarter 4 Performance Report
- FY09 Quarter 3 Performance Report
- FY09 Quarter 2 Performance Report
- FY09 Quarter 1 Performance Report
- Detailed FY09 Budget Information
Performance Highlights
- Overall use of the Boston Public Library continued to increase throughout FY09. From books, DVDs, and CDs borrowed to public internet sessions to digital downloads, fourth quarter results continued to outperform targets.
- Use of free wireless service, available in all library buildings, has climbed steadily through the end of the fourth quarter.
- The Homework Assistance Program (HAP) was initiated in October and exceeded performance expectations through the fourth quarter of FY09. HAP participants increased by 25 percent over the previous fiscal year.
- Other end-of-fiscal-year accomplishments include a 15 percent increase in visits to bpl.org, a 10 percent increase in Boston residents using cards, and a 21 percent increase in Boston residents newly registered for library cards.
Description of Services
The Boston Public Library system consists of the Central Library at Copley Square, 26 branch libraries located throughout Boston's neighborhoods, eight virtual libraries, and three remote storage facilities. Library staff assists users in locating and using resources, and provides public programming, exhibits, and outreach. Internet, wireless, and online technology resources connect people to informational resources aimed at enriching individuals, organizations, and the entire community.
FY09 Performance Strategies
- To provide and preserve access to information and collections by supporting the acquisition, maintenance, preservation, and access to materials and information in all fields of knowledge.
- To provide access to and encourage the use of print and non-print resources that respond to the needs and interests of all segments of the population.
- To assist people of all ages, backgrounds, and stages of learning by offering a variety of programs to meet identified needs and interests.
- To provide overall user satisfaction with Library services.
©2009 The City of Boston