Central Square Library Competitors

CITY GOVERNMENT: Mayor Jake Wilson and the City Council govern the City of Somerville, dubbed the "Best Run City" in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe. Numerous national awards and recognition bestowed upon Somerville in recent years include ranking as a top ten Walk Friendly Community and a "Biker's Paradise", three "All America City" awards, four designations as a U.S. "100 Best Communities for Young People," and federal recognition for the Shape Up Somerville healthy living program. THE CITY ITSELF: Somerville just may be the most interesting 4.1 square miles in New England. Next door to Boston and Cambridge, Somerville is not just close to the abundance of history, high tech, top schools, and culture the Boston area offers, it's a central part of it. George Washington raised the first U.S. flag here, and today Somerville's diverse population of 81,000 spans all walks of life and hails from across the globe (more than 60 languages are spoken by students in our public schools). The City is known for its commitment to progressive ideals, thriving green-tech and innovation hubs, vibrant town squares packed with independent local businesses, a popular restaurant scene, ethnic markets, a proud blue-collar and immigrant heritage, a high-quality workforce, access to higher learning (including Harvard, MIT, and Tufts), and an active and always original arts and maker community (more artists per square mile live here than in any U.S. city other than NYC). Follow the latest on facebook.com/SomervilleCity and @somervillecity

Boston Public Library provides educational, cultural and civic enrichment, free to all, for the residents of Boston, Massachusetts and beyond, through its collections, services, programs, and spaces. Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. As a City of Boston historic cultural institution, Boston Public Library today features a Central Library, twenty-five branches, a map center, business library, archival center; extensive special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints; and rich digital content and online services. The award-winning renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square, completed in 2016, together with new, renovated and historic branches, provide a transformed library system for the next generation of users. Boston Public Library enriches lives, hosting thousands of free educational programs and exhibitions, and providing free library services online and in-person to millions of people each year. To learn more, visit bpl.org.

The Town of Arlington is located six miles northwest of Boston and is home to over 42,000 residents living in a compact urban community of 5.5 square miles. Because of its proximity to Boston, Arlington residents are able to enjoy its diverse neighborhoods, active civic life, and good public transportation options. Arlington is more affordable than many of its neighbors and thereby attracts residents who value its geographic location and quality-of-life. The Town of Arlington was originally settled in 1635 as a village named Menotomy, meaning “swift running water.” In 1807, the name was changed to West Cambridge and renamed Arlington in 1867 in honor of the Civil War heroes buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington, which offers a diverse mix of residential settings and popular retail and entertainment options, has steadily evolved from a working-class community to a more affluent suburban town. Residents have a lot invested in the Town and come to expect excellent municipal services for a reasonable tax bill.