(If you have additional information about the history of the South End Library, or images to share, please email us at info@friendsofsouthendlibrary.org)

1877 Library service was established in the South End.

The South End branch was located in the basement of the Mercantile Library Association at West Newton and Tremont Streets until 1879 when it was moved to the English High School, next to Boston Latin School. In 1904 the Branch relocated to 397 Shawmut Avenue and then again in 1923 to the John J. Williams Municipal Building at Shawmut Avenue and West Brookline Street. On June 7, 1971 the South End Branch Library moved to a new building at its present location, 685 Tremont Street between Rutland Square and West Newton Street, which previously was the site of the Mercantile Library Association.

1971 Opening of the current building

The current building and the park were designed by the prominent architectural firm of Mitchell/Giurgola, originally from Philadelphia, but since split into two firms, one of which was established in New York City. The library was opened in June 1971 and last renovated in 1990s when an elevator was installed.

2007-08 Creation of the Friends of the South End Library

In 2007, a group of residents living around the South End library and Library Park had become alarmed by the deterioration of the library site and the instances of drive-by shootings at Tremont and West Newton Street. They created a 501(c)3 charitable organization, the Friends of the South End Library (FOSEL), and began to lobby for a library renovation that included the visual and functional integration of the building with its adjacent Library Park.

2008-2010 Renovation effort was interrupted by a city-wide fight against the Menino Administration to prevent library closures

2016-17 Renewed City Commitment to Libraries

At this time, a library supporter and architect, Geoff Meyers, proposed a design that moved the library building partially into Library Park with a glass addition; the main entrance would be at Tremont Street and the brick wall would be opened up to feature art galleries.

However, after the library closures fight ended, the renovation was put on hold and FOSEL concentrated on developing programming at the library to broaden its reach into the community. It established the successful  authors series, The South End Writes, organized summer jazz and blues concerts, funded children's performances and put together the very popular annual Easter Egg Hunt, among other programs.

A second try at renovation came in, when the Walsh Administration demonstrated interest and commitment to renovating the BPL’s entire system, including branches like the South End library.

2019 Renovation plans and ultimate “refresh”

Led by FOSEL board member and architect, Michelle Laboy, FOSEL proposed a multi-phased plan paid for by a public/private partnership of the BPL and FOSEL. It called for an immediate reconfiguration of the cramped and inadequate adult area on the first floor to create multiple seating arrangements and a new area dedicated to teenagers. A second phase would complete the downstairs interior renovation by moving the circulation desk and adding conference rooms. Additional phases would begin with a one-year program-study by the City’s Facilities Department to determine what the further needs for library services were at that time in the South End community, and how to meet those at the current location. The South End library building measures about 8,000 square feet, on a BPL-owned lot of about 16,000 square feet.

Within a short time, the multi-phased plan was replaced by an initial, so-called “refresh” of the existing interior space, with a much bigger renovation and expansion of the entire building to follow. With a $132,000 contribution from the BPL’s capital budget and $50,000 raised privately by FOSEL, the “refresh'“ was completed in 2020, when the South End library reopened on February 18 after a three-month closure. The renovation provided a much-improved interior space with new flooring, fresh paint, a variety of seating arrangements, a seating area dedicated to teens, and many charging stations for electronic devices.

October 17, 2022

A BPL/Community/City/FOSEL meeting about the evaluation of the building after the two floods in the SE Branch resulted in the decision to accelerate the development of a new branch library rather than repair the current building. Cost and timing estimates for the repair were approximately $1M and about a year to bring the branch back to its original condition. Because the branch was already on the city’s list for a programming study leading to a new building, many people were in favor of this decision.

July 19, 2023

The architectural firm Utile, Inc. was selected to design the new South End Branch Library.  The City negotiated with Utile and finalized a contract.  A first Community Meeting happened in January 2024 which commenced a feasibility study to assess the building and determine whether to redesign it or tear it down and build something new.

For ongoing updates on the new library process, see Plans in Progress/Planes en Progreso.

2016-20 Library Park overhaul

In 2016, FOSEL also secured $150,000 in capital funding from the Parks Department (BDPR) to improve Library Park. It was originally designed as an integral part of the Library, among other suggestions, as a sunken courtyard overlooked by a Children’s Room at the (dug-out) basement level. After several public hearings in 2017 and 2018, and approval by the South End Landmark District Commission in early April 2018, the Park's redesign and reconstruction was completed in the fall of 2018.

In early 2020, $25,000 in MA State funding was directed to Library Park by  South End State Reps. Jon Santiago and Aaron Michlewitz. It was used to complete the Park’s renovation with soil improvement, new landscaping and the installation of a passive, electronically powered irrigation system. In addition, low-grade fencing alongside the walkway to separate the planted areas was added. The exterior fencing of the Park was repaired and refurbished. The work began when the construction moratorium compelled by the coronavirus was lifted and the South End Landmark District Commission (SELDC) approved the final projects.

Separately, In 2018 and 2019 FOSEL paid for and planted 3,000 spring bulbs which flower on a timed blooming plan. Library Park look the best it ever has.