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
- Expand funding for summer block partiesThe resident asks for more block party funding after it ran out before they applied, to help residents who can't afford one and build neighbor connections.2024–25City-wide
- Improve Brighton library branchUpgrade the Brighton library branch with more windows, more community space and more books, as it is a public resource.2024–25Brighton
- City departments tabling at librariesResident asks that city departments staff tables at libraries to share resources, such as senior taxi coupons, with people who cannot get to City Hall.2024–25City-wide
- Family Friday nights at library branchesResident proposes weekly Friday night family programming at all BPL locations, such as crafts, movies, live animal visits and singalongs.2024–25Charlestown
- Expand library seed program with indoor growing focusResident asks to expand the BPL seed program to all branches, emphasizing seeds for indoor container growing such as herbs, alpine strawberries and Meyer lemons.2024–25Charlestown
- Expand library museum pass programResident asks to expand the BPL's ICA and Gardner Museum passes from a few locations to all library branches.2024–25Charlestown
- Resident survey and library-based public classesResident proposes a listening campaign to learn residents' educational interests and a citywide education campaign delivering classes through Boston Public Library, especially for people outside the school system.2024–25City-wide
- Allocate 1% of budget to participatory budgetingResident asks the city to put at least 1% of its budget through participatory budgeting to increase public engagement and advance racial and economic justice.2024–25City-wide
- Annual Community Hall day for resident presentationsResident proposes one day a year when residents, organizations and small businesses present their work and needs to city departments, giving neighborhoods more face time with decision-makers.2024–25City-wide
- Support for Vesta Road community block partyResident asks for equitable recognition and support for volunteers who have run a Vesta Road community block party for nine years, saying it helped reduce violence.2024–25City-wide
- Raise participatory budgeting to 1% of budgetAllocate 1% of the budget, and more than $2 million this year, to participatory budgeting so Black and Brown residents have more say and racial equity improves.2024–25City-wide
- Set aside 1% of budget for participatory budgetingDedicate at least 1% of the City budget to participatory budgeting to fund needs of historically underinvested communities and address inequities.2024–25City-wide
- Welcome programming for new Boston residentsResident asks for programming for people newly registering a Boston address, covering waste disposal, street cleaning, tenant rights, voting and neighborhood groups, to boost neighbor engagement.2024–25City-wide
- Free citywide wifi networkCreate a free wifi network so everyone can access the internet for learning, banking and bill pay, closing the financial gap.2024–25City-wide
- Neighbor alert service for street cleaning parkingSet up a peer-to-peer text alert service, like Tow Zone Alerts, so neighbors can warn each other about illegal parking and street cleaning, reducing costly fines and tows in low-income areas.2024–25City-wide
- Fast internet and wifi in community centersResident asks for fast internet and wifi in all community centers because access is needed there.2024–25City-wide
- Citywide neighborhood scavenger hunt eventResident proposes a citywide scavenger hunt across neighborhoods to reduce isolation, get people outside, build community and support local eateries through gift certificate prizes.2024–25City-wide
- Fund Boston Public Library and raise staff payResident asks that money go to the Boston Public Library and that library assistants receive a pay increase, since the library is free and helps many people daily.2024–25City-wide
- Celebrate friendships across social and political dividesResident suggests photo and story projects that depict and celebrate friendships bridging social and political divides.2024–25City-wide
- Civic dialogues and storytelling on Boston's crisesResident proposes civil dialogues where elected officials listen, plus civic storytelling to inform residents about homelessness, affordable housing and addiction.2024–25City-wide