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Additional Resources:
Tufts UEP Report: Bringing a Library to Chinatown
Recent Media Coverage:
Boston Globe:
03/18/06: Letter to the Editor: "Chinatown needs a library branch" (from Serene Wong, Chinatown resident).
10/16/05: "For Council Hopefuls, Pointed Questions on Issues Key to Ethnics."
Sampan:
03/17/06: "Library Campaign Heats Up."
World Journal:
Partial list of Asian Branch Libraries around the United States:
Chicago Chinatown Branch Library (Chicago, IL)
Los Angeles Chinatown Branch Library (Los Angeles, CA)
New York Manhattan Chinatown Branch Library (New York, NY)
Oakland Asian Branch Library (Oakland, CA)
San Francisco Chinatown Branch Library (San Francisco, CA)
Seattle International District/Chinatown Branch Library (Seattle, WA)
Chinatown Library Campaign
Chinatown is one of the few neighborhoods in Boston without its own public library branch. Join our campaign to bring a library back to Chinatown!
History and Background
On January 6th, 1896, the Boston Public Library opened the Tyler Street Branch Library in the municipal building where Tai Tung Village stands now. Forty seven years later, in the winter of 1936, the library was closed. It was reopened for only five years from 1951 to 1956, despite fierce protests from area residents. This was followed by an insufficient bookmobile service that only lasted a few years, leaving Chinatown without library resources.
- 1896 - Tyler Street Branch Library opens as a Delivery Station
- 1915 - Library moves into the New Municipal Building in Chinatown
- 1936 - Library closes
- 1951 - Library re-opens
- 1956 - Library closes permanently; construction of the Central Artery begins, demolishing many homes & buildings in Chinatown
- 1960s - 1970s - Book mobile comes through Chinatown one a week; eventually, library services halt for the next 30 years
Today, the closest Boston Public Library is the main Copley building. Boston has twenty-five other branch libraries in surrounding neighborhoods.
Why we want a library in Chinatown
A library would provide a quiet space for people to escape the bustling streets of Chinatown. Thousands of children, young adults, and elderly would be able to utilize public resources such as books, computers with internet access, educational programs, and tutoring services without having to travel to neighboring towns. In addition, a Chinatown library can host cultural activities and services specific to Asian American communities in the greater Boston and beyond.
Become a Friend of the Chinatown Branch Library!
The purpose of the Friends of the Chinatown Branch Library is the following:
- to organize events and activities in support of bringing a branch library back to Chinatown.
- to organize activities for community members, including story-telling, book-reading, playlet writing, and workshops and training seminars.
- to raise funds for the Friends of the Chinatown Library.
Membership Rates:
Students/Seniors/Child up to 7 ............................. $5.00
Adults (19 +) .............................................................. $10.00
Family ......................................................................... $20.00
Sponsor ...................................................................... $30.00
Corporate/Organization ........................................... $100.00
We hope that you will add an extra donation to help with the work of the Friends. We would enjoy seeing you at one of our monthly meetings, which are usually held on the fourth Friday of each month at 4:30pm.
Thank you for your support.
For more information, you may contact:
Mailing Address:
The Chinatown Branch Library Committee
c/o Chinese Progressive Association
28 Ash Street
Boston, MA 02111
Email: BostonChinatownLibrary@gmail.com