By Topic
-
In Empire of Illusion, Chris Hedges argues that we now live in two societies: one, the minority, functions in a print-based, literate world, that can cope with complexity and can separate illusion from truth... -
Inspiring talks by women working and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. We'd like to introduce you to some of the most fascinating women, and scientists, on the planet who have devoted their lives to better understanding our world. From the outer reaches of space exploration to the hidden world of animal intelligence. From designing soft houses to dissecting... -
Washington Post columnist Shankar Vedantam discusses his book The Hidden Brain: How Our Unconscious Minds Elect Presidents, Control Markets, Wage Wars, and Save Our Lives. The hidden brain is Vedantam... -
Public talks curated around Taking Control of Diabetes with Dr. Neal Barnard that explains the different types of diabetes and how each can be triggered by genetics, weight, poor diet and lack of physical activity or pregnancy. Dr. Barnard reveals in-depth scientific studies from leading national organizations, unveiling results that not only diminish diabetes, but increase energy and... -
Award-winning novelist and MacArthur Fellow Rebecca Newberger Goldstein reads from her new novel 36 Arguments for the Existence of God. After Cass Seltzer's book becomes a surprise best seller, he's... -
Public talks curated around Independent Lens: Lost Souls that explores national identity, the lives of immigrants and what happens after deportees are sent to a land they no longer consider home. In 1999, filmmaker Monika Navarro's uncles were deported to Mexico, forced to leave the only country they knew and, as servicemen, had pledged to protect. Augie and Gino were living the...
In the News:
Boston Public Library Lectures
Boston, MA
Boston Public Library (BPL) was the first large free municipal library in the United States. The present Copley Square location has been home to the Library since 1895, when architect Charles Follen McKim completed his "palace for the people." Between 1870 and 1900, twenty-two additional Branches began serving communities throughout Boston's diverse neighborhoods. In 1972 the Library expanded its Copley Square location with the opening of an addition designed by Philip Johnson. Today, the McKim building houses the BPL's vast research collection and the Johnson building holds the circulating collection of the general library and serves as headquarters for the Boston Public Library's 26 branch libraries. In addition to its 6.1 million books, the library boasts over 1.2 million rare books and manuscripts, a wealth of maps, musical scores and prints. Among its large collections, the BPL holds several first edition folios by William Shakespeare, original music scores from Mozart to Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf;" and, in its rare book collection, the personal library of John Adams. Over 2.2 million patrons visit the BPL each year, many in pursuit of research material, others looking for an afternoon's reading, still others for the magnificent and unique art and architecture.

