Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library was established in 1848. It was the first publicly supported municipal[?] library in America. It was also the first public library to allow people to borrow books and other materials.

The library was initially located in a former schoolhouse located on Mason Street, and was opened to the public on March 20, 1854.

It opened a children's room in Copley Square[?], Boston, in 1895 making it the first library to have a space especially for children.

It is located on Boylston Street[?] in Boston. It the home of several large collections, including first edition folios by William Shakespeare, and the personal library of John Adams.