America's first free municipal library offers visual arts, as well as books. This magnificent Italian Renaissance Revival building houses a John Singer Sargent Gallery on the third floor. Also peek into the beautiful Bates Reading Room with its vaulted ceiling. Monday-Thursday 9 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am-5 pm; October-May, also open Sunday 1-5 pm. One-hour art and architecture tours daily, except Wednesday. Call for times. Free. 700 Boylston St. (Copley T stop on the Green Line), Copley Square, Boston. Phone 617-536-5400. http://www.bpl.org.
