Our exhibitions gallery is free to the public, and no advance booking is necessary to view exhibitions. Plan to set aside between 30 minutes and 1½ hours for a full experience in the Gallery, though you are always welcome to spend more or less time, and to come back for multiple visits. The Gallery features captions and activities for children and families as well as adults.
Visiting Hours
Gallery Hours
| Day | Hours |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 am – 5 pm |
| Wednesday | 1 pm – 7 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am – 5 pm |
| Friday | 11 am – 5 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am – 5 pm |
| Sunday | 1 pm – 5 pm |
Special Hours
| Day | Holiday | Hours |
| November 11, 2024 | Veteran’s Day | Closed |
| November 27, 2024 | The day before Thanksgiving | Closed |
| November 28, 2024 | Thanksgiving | Closed |
| December 24, 2024 | Christmas Eve | Closed |
| December 25, 2024 | Christmas Day | Closed |
| January 1, 2025 | New Year's Day | – |
| January 20, 2025 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | – |
Directions
See Hours & Directions for a map to the Map Center and information about transportation and parking.
Gallery Tours
Our free gallery tours last approximately 30 minutes and do not require advance registration. To join a gallery tour, meet at the gallery front desk at the scheduled time.
| Day | Gallery tour hours |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 11:30 am |
| Saturday | 11:30 am |
Special Exhibition Events
Group and Education Visits
We welcome groups of visitors both from the general public and from educational institutions. For more information about K-12 visits, see our K-12 School Visits page. For university-level visits, see the University Programs page.
For private exhibition tours for a group, please fill out the form on our Group Visits page.
Accessibility and Translation
Our physical spaces are ADA accessible via a lift from the main level of the BPL’s McKim Building. Most, though not all, spaces in the Central Library in Copley Square are accessible. For more information, see the BPL’s Resources and Services for Users with Disabilities.
Occassional tours are offered in languages other than English.