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Boston Public Library

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.break

http://www.bpl.org/

  • Epidemiologist, journalist, and filmmaker Dr. Celine Gounder joins BPL President David Leonard to examine the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to practicing as an infectious diseases specialist, Dr. Gounder is the Founder of Just Human Productions, a non-profit multimedia organization, and the host and producer of two podcasts: American Diagnosis is a podcast on health and social justice, and Epidemic is a podcast about the SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / coronavirus epidemic, which she co-hosts with former U.S. Ebola czar Ron Klain. This talk is part of both the Lowell Lecture Series, sponsored by the Lowell Institute, and part of the Repairing America Initiative, the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face. ## RESOURCES Medical Racism Past and Present https://www.justhumanproductions.org/podcasts/s1e68-medical-racism-past-and-present-vanessa-gamble-harriet-washington-rueben-warren The Science of Vaccines Illustrated Guide: https://www.justhumanproductions.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/The-Science-of-Vaccines-PDF.pdf **Op-Ed** A Dismal Spring Awaits Unless We Slow the Spread of Covid-19 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/17/opinion/covid-19-precautions.html Doctors, nurses and scientists -- not politicians -- should be leading coronavirus briefings https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/16/opinions/doctors-nurses-and-scientists-should-lead-coronavirus-briefings-gounder/index.html A Simple Rule of Thumb for Knowing When the Pandemic Is Over https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/02/how-know-when-pandemic-over/618122/ CDC Covid Data Tracker Map: community transmission at the county level https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Debra Lee is the former CEO of Black Entertainment Television, and she is known as a disruptor and as a champion for change. She joins BPL President David Leonard to share lessons learned from her career as one of very few African American women who has served on an executive or board leadership level for a multi-national brand. Lee provides essential approaches for individuals and organizations to thrive and triumph in a constantly changing world. ## Resources This is the first time we have talked so much about race in a board room. Four hundred signatories added their names to [this letter to the NY Times & WSJ.](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/31/business/voting-rights-georgia-corporations.html) [The Monarch's Collective ](https://huntscanlon.com/monarchs-collective-launches-to-boost-leadership-diversity/) One of Debra’s heroes: [Constance Baker Motley](https://www.uscourts.gov/news/2020/02/20/constance-baker-motley-judiciarys-unsung-rights-hero )
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Emmy Award-winning medical journalist and CNN analyst Dr. Seema Yasmin joins BPL President David Leonard to discuss what happens at the epicenter of an epidemic. How do disease detectives track down patient zero, find the source of contagion, and stop the spread of disease? As an officer in the Epidemic Intelligence Service, Dr. Yasmin was tasked with hunting diseases and chasing epidemics. Inside prisons, across border towns, and within the walls of hospitals and workplaces, she traced microbes and worked to protect communities. Pulling back the curtain on the inner workings of epidemic investigations, Dr. Yasmin tells stories from the front lines of global public health to demonstrate how humans are increasingly connected and epidemics may become the new normal. This talk is part of both the Lowell Lecture Series, sponsored by the Lowell Institute, and part of the Repairing America Initiative, the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face. Image: Boston Public Library
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Journalist and political-financial expert Nomi Prins joins BPL President David Leonard to discuss her years of experience writing about the fallout of the 2007-08 global financial crisis and how it informs the way we will pull ourselves out of economic difficulties created by the pandemic. Looking at the historical developments and underpinnings of international finance, economics and geo-politics, Prins references her latest book, "Collusion: How Central Bankers Rigged the World" and the lasting impact of events from the global financial crisis. She also provides guidance to understand and navigate global financial complexities and dynamics made more difficult by the COVID-19 crisis. [The Repairing America Initiative](https://forum-network.org/series/boston-public-library-repairing-america/) is the Boston Public Library’s pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face. This talk is presented in partnership with the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center and sponsored by the Friends of Kirstein. KBLIC invites media creators, innovators, job seekers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, coders, and makers to its new space. Business-minded individuals can enjoy an inviting and modern space with over 5,000 square feet of printed resources, flexible seating, innovative technology to conduct business research, and dedicated areas for collaborating on projects with colleagues or developing a new career skill. Image: Boston Public Library
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Dr. Esther Choo discusses racism's challenges to health equity in the 21st century with BPL President David Leonard. Racism is embedded in nearly every aspect of the health and well-being of our population, affecting everything from risk for disease, disease prevalence, access to healthcare, and health outcomes of all kinds. Using her expertise in public health, emergency care, substance use disorders, and women's health, Dr. Choo highlights the challenges we face to healthcare equity. The [**Repairing America Initiative**](https://forum-network.org/series/boston-public-library-repairing-america/) is the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face.
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Dr. Neha Sangwan, physician, communication expert, and author sits down with BPL President David Leonard to talk about how to adapt work in the pandemic and leverage stress energy to make positive change. As the institutions, norms and rules that once held the fabric of our society together dissolve, the businesses that will thrive now are the ones that adjust most quickly to our new reality. One of the biggest predictors of success will be the quality of leadership in your organization. Dr. Sangwan addresses building trust within and across teams, learning to navigate and override strong emotions within the team, and how to help them pivot and innovate to meet the needs of our ever-changing world. Think of it as upgrading your human software to not only meet the challenges of a complex world, but also excel under pressure! The Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center (KBLIC) invites media creators, innovators, job seekers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, coders, and makers to our new space. Business-minded individuals can enjoy an inviting and modern space with over 5,000 square feet of printed resources, flexible seating, innovative technology to conduct business research, and dedicated areas for collaborating on projects with colleagues or developing a new career skill. [**The Repairing America Initiative**](https://forum-network.org/series/boston-public-library-repairing-america/) is the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face.
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Years after his tragic death, Trayvon Martin has become a symbol of social justice activism, as has his hauntingly familiar image: the photo of a child still in the process of becoming a young man, wearing a hoodie and gazing silently at the camera. Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, joins BPL President David Leonard to talk about who Trayvon was before his death made him an icon and inspired a renewal of a civil rights crusade. Through real life stories and compelling experiences, Fulton take us beyond the news cycle and familiar images to give the account that only she can offer: the story of the beautiful and complex child she lost. She also walks us through her experiences with unresponsive police, the hostility of the legal system, and her journey from grief and pain to power, from tragedy and senselessness to purpose. [**The Repairing America Initiative**](https://forum-network.org/series/boston-public-library-repairing-america/) is the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face. This program, presented in partnership with the GBH Forum Network and is part of the Lowell Lecture Series sponsored by the Lowell Institute.
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Join us for an online conversation with political expert Dr. Maya Rockeymoore and writer James Dale, co-authors of "We're Better Than This: My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy," primarily authored by the late Elijah Cummings, former U.S. Representative from Maryland's 7th District. Cummings, Dale and Rockeymoore tell the story of our modern-day democracy and the threats that we all must face together, as well as reflect on the life and career of one of our country’s most inspirational politicians. Elijah Cummings reminded people through his memoir that "in this country we don’t elect kings, and we cannot afford four more years of this false one." Boston Public Library President David Leonard moderates this program. _The Repairing America Initiative is the Boston Public Library's pledge to focus its 2021 programming and services on bridging the gaps that divide America. By prioritizing economic recovery, civic engagement, COVID-19 recovery, racial equity, workforce development, and youth engagement, the BPL is working to help Americans rise above the challenges they face._
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Editor-in-Chief of New York Magazine's The Cut and former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue talks with Boston Public Library President David Leonard for a conversation presented in partnership with the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center of the Boston Public Library. In this time of crisis and social upheaval, some see an opportunity to start over and collectively build something new and better, whether it be about Black Lives Matter, climate change, #MeToo or human rights. According to Lindsay Peoples Wagner, it has to be younger people who drive lasting change because they are the ones most affected. “Young people—especially young people of color— are starting a revolution and saying that things aren’t good enough. We’re refusing to accept what older people are willing to give us because it’s unacceptable," she said. The only Black female editor-in-chief in the United States and a 2020 Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, Lindsay Peoples Wagner shares an invaluable view of women’s empowerment, marketing to GenZ, elevating your brand in the era of Black Lives Matter, hiring for diversity, and running a multi-million dollar brand with an editorial mission to view everything through the lens of inclusivity.     ## Links to more information Wagners's book recommendation: ["Dirty Diversty—A Practical Guide to Foster an Equitable and Inclusive Workplace for All"](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/53928550-dirty-diversity) by [Janice Gassam Asare](https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/) . Wagner recently left Teen Vogue and is continuing her career as Editor-in-Chief at The Cut. [Learn more about this transition.](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/04/business/media/the-cut-editor-lindsay-peoples-wagner.html) Wagner's nonprofit, [Black In Fashion Council ](https://www.blackinfashioncouncil.com/)
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library
  • With a vision of justice for all, Garza, one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, engages audiences in discussion about race relations in America and how activism from the fringes became the national movement it is today, galvanizing individuals to stand up and together against the state violence, police brutality and social injustice plaguing our country. In this event, she talks with Boston Public Library president David Leonard. Alicia Garza is someone who believes that black communities deserve what all communities deserve — to be powerful in every aspect of their lives. That’s what drives Garza as an innovator, strategist, internationally recognized organizer and writer. In 2018, she founded the Black Futures Lab, which works to make Black people powerful in politics. In her first book, The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart with One World (Penguin Random House), Garza shares her thoughts on politics and pop culture from her podcast, Lady Don't Take No. She warns you — hashtags don’t start movements. People do. ## Links to more information To purchase a copy of “The Purpose of Power” visit Trident Booksellers & Café’s website >> https://www.tridentbookscafe.com/book/9780525509684 (Use the coupon code BPLSHIP and get it shipped free!) TIME most 100 influential people: ["Black Lives Matter Founders Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi,"](https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2020/5888228/black-lives-matter-founders/) Sept. 22, 2020
    Partner:
    Boston Public Library