A planning grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission in 1980 enabled the Trustees of the Boston Public Library to undertake an initial feasibility study for the restoration and renovation of the historic McKim Building. For this purpose, the Trustees engaged the services of Stull Associates, Inc. The Stull report - A Restoration Program for the McKim Building of the Boston Public Library and A Handbook to the Art and Architecture of the Boston Public Library - was completed and presented to the Trustees in August 1981. The report outlined the scope of work needed primarily for restoration of historical spaces, but did not address the extensive need for functional renovation. The report served as a basis for the Trustees to undertake additional feasibility analysis and to seek initial funding.
By 1983, the Trustees were successful in obtaining Mayoral and City Council approval of a loan order under the City's capital budget to support the renovation and restoration of the McKim Building.
Soon after this benchmark was reached, the Trustees appointed an architectural selection committee, drawing upon the volunteer services of several noted architects, conservationists, and engineers. The firm of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott was retained in 1985 to work closely with the Library's administration, staff, and governing board in reviewing functional needs in addition to the historical design considerations. Approvals were given to total project conceptual and design work in 1987, and to Phase I working drawings and bid specifications two years later in 1989.
Work commenced on Phase I in September of 1991. New heating, ventilating, air conditioning, electrical and telecommunication systems were installed. Spaces in the McKim building basement were renovated and meant to house the Government Information Department, exhibit cases, and new public restrooms but the space was damaged during a flood in August 1998. The Center for Conservation and Technical Studies of the Harvard Art Museums completed the restoration of the Puvis de Chavannes murals in the Venetian Lobby surrounding the grand staircase.The exterior granite platform was restored. Phase I was officially completed in August 1996.
Phase II of the McKim project included historic restoration work which focused on Bates Hall and the Elliot Room, with the intent of returning these spaces as close as possible to their original appearance. Electrical and mechanical systems were upgraded and the woodwork in the room was restored. Bates Hall was reopened on November 3, 1997. The Elliott Room had its existing woodwork, wall coverings, and lighting restored, and the ceiling mural, The Triumph of Time by John Elliott, was conserved by fine art specialists.
Also in Phase II, he interior Courtyard to its original design by McKim. In addition to landscaping, painting, restoring the fountain, cleaning and repairing the courtyard masonry, the area was made handicapped accessible. The Bacchante and Infant Faun statue by Frederick MacMonnies was reinstalled, the arcade roof was replaced, and a promenade atop the arcade was rehabilitated. The roof of the McKim building was also extensively repaired. This work was completed in November 2000.
The Edwin Austin Abbey Room, the John Singer Sargent Gallery, and the Cheverus Room conservation efforts began in late 2002. The firm of Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott was recommissioned for this phase of the project.