Libraries, digital & civic life
Consistent priorityLibraries, internet and device access, lending programs, civic education and neighbor-connecting community efforts.
Residents ask for free internet, digital skills training, borrowable items and stronger library access, along with places and programs that connect neighbors and teach civics.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
180 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 58 | 4.8% | 10 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 54 | 4.5% | 9 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 68 | 5.1% | 8 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Free public Wi-Fi and internet access
Residents repeatedly ask for free Wi-Fi in community centers, parks, transit areas and underserved neighborhoods so people who can't afford data or home internet can learn, work and get services.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Lending libraries for tools and everyday items
Residents want free borrowing of costly, rarely used items such as tools, equipment and tech, through the library or neighborhood lending sites.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Digital literacy and computer training
Residents ask for free computer and smartphone classes, with seniors, low-income residents and non-English speakers named often, and for access to devices.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
More library access, funding and reach
Residents ask for more library funding, longer or Sunday hours, more branch programming, and mobile or pop-up library services for areas far from a branch.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Civic education and neighbor-connecting spaces
Residents want civics lessons for kids and adults, and low-cost places and events where neighbors and community groups can meet and learn from one another.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Internet access in community centers and citywide, tool and item lending, and library-based programming and classes stood out, along with requests for apps and offices that point residents to services.
2025–26
Sunday library hours, pilot Wi-Fi stations, computer classes for Chinatown seniors, and financial-education workshops in libraries and community centers were prominent, along with many ideas for shared community space.
2026–27
Repeated requests for senior tech training, tool lending, mobile library and bookmobile ideas, free Wi-Fi in underserved areas, and more funding for community nonprofits stood out in the largest set of ideas.
New in 2026–27
Growing or new asks include borrowable Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops and outdoor gear in lockboxes, library recording booths and seed libraries, makerspaces, city-run AI tools, and more grant funding for community nonprofits.
Funding so far
No winning projects funded by resident vote relate to this theme, so every recurring ask (free Wi-Fi, digital training, lending libraries, library access and hours, civic education and community space) remains unaddressed through voting.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
No winning project has addressed this theme yet.
Departments that often lead this work
- Boston Public Library
- Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Libraries, digital & civic life
180 ideas
2024–25: 58 · 2025–26: 54 · 2026–27: 68
- Funding and grants for community nonprofitsResident asks for funding and grants for nonprofits and community-based organizations.2026–27City-wide
- Citywide thrift stores and swap marketsResident asks for citywide thrift stores and swap markets where residents donate clothes and furniture for sale at reduced prices, funding staff and rent and encouraging reuse.2026–27City-wide
- Quarterly neighborhood yard sale days run by nonprofitsResident proposes nonprofit-run quarterly community yard sales where neighbors rent tables to sell household clothing, with leftovers picked up for charity, to earn money, save money and reduce waste.2026–27City-wide
- More grant money for community nonprofitsResident asks for added grant funding for nonprofits addressing city needs such as TNR programs, adult education planning and community get-togethers, so groups serving environmental justice communities are fully used.2026–27City-wide
- Ideas to bring communities togetherResident asks for ways to bring communities together to encourage active, proactive participation.2026–27RoxburySubmitted in Spanish
- Snack and story time at public librariesResident asks for library story time where attendees can take home a bag of food, so everyone has a space to read and reading support.2026–27ChinatownSubmitted in Spanish
- Alliance between Latino and Cape Verdean communitiesResident asks for efforts to build a strong alliance between the Latino and Cape Verdean communities.2026–27City-wide
- Programs and resources for widowsThe resident, a younger widow, asks for programs and resources for widows, a group they describe as marginalized and left to cope alone.2026–27City-wide
- Free Wi-Fi stationsProvide free Wi-Fi stations to help people who cannot afford internet access.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Little free libraries in Boston neighborhoodsPlace little libraries around neighborhoods to make books easier for everyone to access.2025–26City-wide
- Voter engagement pop-ups in Black and Brown communitiesResident proposes pop-up events across the city where elected and appointed officials meet residents face to face, to rebuild trust and raise voter turnout in Black and Brown communities.2025–26City-wide
- Civic Hack Pods for resident-led local solutionsResident proposes a hands-on program where residents, especially youth and marginalized groups, use design thinking and teamwork to develop community-driven solutions, with tools and funding.2025–26City-wide
- Free seasonal reuse warehouses for household goodsResident proposes free seasonal warehouses where people drop off and browse furniture and home supplies, with a temporary pickup crew, to reduce curbside trash during moving season.2025–26City-wide
- Multilingual, braille and QR code signs and placardsResident asks for signs and historical placards in more languages, with braille and QR codes that read text aloud, to improve accessibility for residents and tourists.2025–26City-wide
- Third space for working adults to connectResident proposes a community space for working adults to meet, play games, eat and learn skills outside work, gym, bars or home.2025–26City-wide
- Address racism through educationThe resident wants to address racism by helping people who lack education or understanding of race to change their perspective and see others as equal.2025–26City-wide
- More opportunities to hear community voicesThe resident asks for more opportunities for people to be heard, to build understanding across different groups.2025–26City-wide
- Free public libraries with free booksResident asks for free public libraries so community members can get books at no cost.2025–26City-wide
- Computer program and computers for seniorsResident asks for a computer program for seniors to learn new skills and build social connections, with computers given to learners as an incentive.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese
- Computer classes and free computers for seniorsResident asks for computer classes for seniors to learn new skills, with computers provided to learners as encouragement.2025–26ChinatownSubmitted in Chinese