Charlestown Library to Improve, Close Temporarily

The following was sent to us by the Boston Public Library. It has not been edited.

The Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library, which is located at 179 Main Street, will undergo building improvements beginning in July. The building improvements necessitate a temporary closure of the branch while work takes place. The temporary closure period will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 6, 2012. Construction will begin on Monday, July 9, and is expected to be completed in November 2012. 

There are a variety of improvements planned for the Charlestown Branch including: replacement of the current gas heater, electric cooling roof top unit, and associated fans; replacement of the roof and windows; installation of an early literacy nook in the children’s area; installation of new controls and room temperature sensors; installation of new window treatments; installation of a self check-out machine; various concrete repairs; and landscaping.

During the temporary closure period, Charlestown Branch users are encouraged to use the nearby North End Branch, located at 25 Parmenter Street, as well as any of the Boston Public Library’s other locations throughout the city. An interactive map of locations is available on the Boston Public Library website.

“We look forward to unveiling the improvements in the fall and thank our users in advance for their patience while we make upgrades to the building,” said Christine Schonhart, Director of Branch Libraries. The library will post information about the project on the Charlestown Branch profile page on the Boston Public Library website along with any necessary program rescheduling information.

About the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY 
The Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-five branches, a literacy center, map center, business library, neighborhood-based services in the Tierney Learning Center, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in America, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At the Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit www.bpl.org.