Boston Public Library, Mattapan Branch

Phone: 

(617) 298-9218

Website: 

http://www.bpl.org/branches/Mattapan.htm

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Monday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m
Tuesday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m
Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m
Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m
Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m
Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m

Mission: 

The Boston Public Library's mission is to preserve and provide access to historical record of our society, and to serve the cultural, educational, and informational needs of the City and the Commonwealth.

The vision of the Boston Public Library is to touch the lives of every Bostonian in
libraries, online and in the community.

Priorities for 2009‐10
Advancement of Learning
* Early Literacy: babies to pre‐kindergarten
* Academic support: School age children and teens
* Lifelong learning: For all ages
Easy Access to BPL Resources Most in Demand
* Serving the greatest number of people with existing or reduced resources
* Includes open hours, electronic access, and collection
Libraries as Community Gathering Places
* Existing facilities are clean, organized, and welcoming public environments
Programs and Services that Help People during these Economic Times
* Includes services such as job and career information, resume writing, foreclosure
prevention programs, etc.

Location

Mattapan Library
1350 Blue Hill Avenue
Mattapan, MA 02126
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Part of the Boston Public Library system. Click here to learn more about Dorchester area libraries.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Click here to register for a free library card online!

Key Programs Offered: 
  • Homework Assistance Program

    Free one-on-one homework help for students in grades K-8 from high-achieving high school mentors. Available at every BPL branch Monday-Thursday from 3:30-5:30PM.

  • Boston Teachers' Union Tutors

    Tutoring for students in all grades from BPS teachers. Days and times vary by location. Mattapan: Tuesday 4-6PM.

Created: 
05/21/2010

DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS OF THE COLLECTION
Strong collections in urban fiction, popular music, teen fiction, anime, manga and a wide array of DVDs, from movies to popular TV series. There is also a modest collection of local history materials.

RECURRING PROGRAMMING OFFERED
Weekly toddler films, Fun with Books, teen movie matinee, teen advisory board, and homework assistance.
Adult Book Discussion Group - 3rd Tuesday of each Month

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING OFFERED
A monthly calendar of events offers a range of programs from films, author talks and readings, workshops, and educational activities for all ages. Summer reading programs are offered for children and young adults. The Friends of the Mattapan Branch also has activities throughout the year. Please consult our calendar of events for more details.

The Mattapan Branch is teamed with the Mildred Avenue Middle School and the Mildred Avenue Community Center as part of Mayor Menino’s Community Learning Initiative, a multi-department collaboration aimed at helping Boston’s youth reach their full potential by coordinating learning and recreation throughout the day.

HISTORY
As early as December 18, 1849 the people of Mattapan were concerned about library facilities. It was on that date that Increase S. Smith founded the Mattapan Library Association. On May 2, 1854, the Boston Public Library opened, and in 1870 the suburb of Dorchester, which included Mattapan, was annexed to Boston. The Mattapan Branch evolved over many years beginning with a reading room attached to the delivery station in the Oakland Hall Building in Mattapan. In 1898, the book collection consisted of ninety-eight volumes.

Around 1924, the population of Mattapan began a rapid increase. As newer groups began to establish themselves in the more central Boston neighborhoods, Jewish immigrants moved in large numbers to Mattapan.

The small reading room was granted Branch status in 1923, but could not meet the demand of the growing population. Annual circulation climbed from 20,000 volumes in 1924 to 75,010 in 1926. Mattapan residents requested a new library. Citizens' letters and petitions took effect, and on June 22, 1931 the Mattapan Library Branch at 10 Hazelton Street opened its doors.

The Hazelton Street branch served the neighborhood well for more than 75 years, but with the formation of a Mattapan Library Task Force, the procurement of necessary funding in 1997, and the perseverance of Mayor Thomas Menino and Councilor Charles Yancey a new chapter began. On February 28, 2009 the Mattapan community celebrated the opening of an architecturally-stunning, technologically enhanced, and service-rich new Mattapan Branch at 1350 Blue Hill Avenue.