Trustees of the Public Library of the City of Boston

What it reported doing in 2024

The Boston Public Library (BPL) is an extraordinary institution that has served the citizens of Boston since 1848. Founded as the first municipal library and the first public library to lend books, the Boston Public Library is dedicated to the advancement of learning and is "Free to All" as is carved in the facade of the historic McKim building in Copley Square. The BPL encompasses a Central Library, twenty-five vibrant neighborhood libraries, a robust website, and classes and programs for all ages. The Library's collection of more than 23 million items includes circulating books, eBooks, DVDs, and music, as well as research and special collections that encompass rare manuscripts, prints, photographs, drawings, maps, posters, and more. The Boston Public Library's Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center, Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, and Collections of Distinction such as the personal library of John Adams, the Anti-Slavery collection, the Thomas Pennant Barton Collection of Shakespeare, and the Boston Pictorial Archive attract researchers and scholars from across the city and around the world. In fiscal year 2025, Boston Public Library hosted 14,576 public programs reaching 247,957 people, had 2.4 million in person visits, and loaned 6.3 million times. Of those 6.3 million checkouts, more than 5.1 million were digital downloads of e-books and audiobooks. In the same fiscal year, the Boston Public Library signed up 129,671 Massachusetts residents for new library cards, provided 198,498 free computer sessions and enabled 1.5 million free wireless internet sessions. Engaging the Public Through Programming + Active Spaces: The Library offers a variety of programs for all children, teens and adults including: Future Readers Club, Local & Family History, Writing programs, Theatre Productions, The Lowell Lecture Series, Copley Concerts, Never Too Late Programs, Children's Music and Storytelling. Serving the Public with Improving technology: BPL is a national leader in library service technology. The Library has been improving the Library's IT and business systems, increasing access to knowledge through the provision and creation of digital content, and closing the digital divide by providing the public improved access to the kinds of cutting edge technology that ensure equity. Restoring and Preserving our History: At an estimated one million manuscripts, holdings are particularly strong in medieval and early Renaissance manuscripts, colonial Boston and New England, and the American anti-slavery movement. The library is also home to hundreds of archival collections with strengths in local business, political, cultural, and social history. Caring for the Public's Special Collections The Library maintains and cares for of one the world's most important public collections of art, rare books, maps and other special objects and make these precious objects, owned by the public, accessible to patrons today and far into future generations. Statewide Collection Development & Access: This program provides residents of the Commonwealth access to print, electronic, and downloadable collections not available in their individual libraries. Anyone who lives, works, goes to school, or owns property in Massachusetts can have a Boston Public Library card.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 85.8%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 82.1%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 56
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 9.2%; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.82; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.04; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 1.4%; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 7.3% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 4.7% per year; rating input score 100; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 4% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings