Boston Public Library, Roxbury Branch

The original Dudley Library was built in 1978 and designed by Kallman and McKinnell Architects. The building was constructed using Brutalist architecture, featuring heavy use of exposed structural concrete elements. The walls were constructed with concrete and glass blocks. The original building was considered to be in isolation with the remainder of the Dudley (now Nubian) Square neighborhood, as the only Brutalist structure in the area and a distinct lack of exterior features. The entrance had low visibility, and the building severely lacked natural light. The renovation, which began in 2019, was the result of many years of BPL branch assessments. Among many other conclusions, the BPL observed a detachment from the community and a facility that "did not meet the needs of modern library-goers," per BPL President David Leonard, as reasons to move forward with the renovation. The branch was renamed the Shaw-Roxbury branch of the Boston Public Library in 2025 in honor of Sarah-Ann Shaw, Boston's first Black woman TV reporter. == Design ==

Leonard, along with extensive input from Nubian Square locals and Roxbury residents in general, observed that the best philosophy for the future of the library was to create more light and warmth in the building. He also wanted improved visibility to the community and modern amenities consistent with other meeting places. • African-American collection space • Nutrition lab • Learning lab • Community room with state-of-the-art technology • Computer workspaces The library also received upgrades to insulation, its roof, HVAC, and lighting to improve performance and minimize carbon footprint. An on-site rainwater retention system was constructed to retain the first one inch of rainfall, which is directed towards vegetation and on-site irrigation. == Influence ==

Per Leonard, "all the special elements of this branch – the nutrition lab, the dedicated space for the African American collection, the tech classroom, and the return of public art and new art projects – are a direct response to so many people who had a voice during the community process." The goal of the library upgrades is to also preserve the legacy of Black culture in the area, where it will serve as "the archival home for collections of African-American texts, because the Roxbury Branch has been a significant reservoir for these works in Boston," per Paris Jefferies, executive director at King Boston (a local nonprofit to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.). == References ==