Bernie’s Bag and the Boston Public Library

Bernie Margolis would need only the red outfit to make a convincing Santa Claus. It’s not just his white hair and lively eyes. It’s the glee liable to break out at any moment—the joy that Bernie exudes about his workshop. Bernie’s workshop doesn’t make toys. Bernie’s workshop, which at the slightest prompting he will describe with a proprietor’s pride, is the Boston Public Library.

“Did you know the BPL is America’s only public library that is also a presidential library?” Bernie asked me on one of my first visits. “It’s John Adams’s Presidential Library. David McCullough researched his John Adams here, and later became a trustee. And let me show you the Abbey Room, which is truly amazing…”

It was on my first tour with Bernie that we came upon a pile of canvas bags down in the basement. I picked one up by its handles and saw that it was unusually deep, stenciled with “Boston Public Library,” and considerably worn.

“We’ve been using these bags for the past hundred years or so,” Bernie said. “The reason they’re so deep is so the delivery man can carry the most number of books relatively comfortably as he shuttles them between our branch libraries—from the truck, up and down stairs, that sort of thing.” Bernie picked up one bag in each hand. “It’s best if you carry two at a time to balance yourself,” he advised.

I knew we had to have them. Or rather, our customers did. They’d use this bag for any number of things, and they’d probably appreciate the history.

Little did I know what I was getting Levenger into  when I convinced Bernie to let us reproduce the delivery bag. The project taught me what a stickler the affable Bernie Margolis can be.

Considering ourselves to be experts in bags, we sent the design specs to our top canvas-bag manufacturer. We were quite pleased with the first samples, tested them out loaded to the max with books, and sent the bags with high expectations to Bernie. A week later we heard from Bernie’s office.

The bottom needed to be doubled.

“No it doesn’t,” countered our bag designer, who considered herself the expert in such matters. “It’s plenty strong enough with the gauge of canvas and heavy-duty thread.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” I answered, trying to smooth her.  “But Bernie wants it doubled bottomed. It can’t hurt, can it?”

“Well, no,” she agreed, holding the bag aloft and patting its bottom like a mother might pat her baby’s bottom. “It will just add some cost.”

The next round of samples with double layers of canvas did meet Bernie’s approval. Today, I’m proud to say, the delivery staff of the BPL uses these same bags on its daily rounds.

Stenciled inside the bag is the quotation etched in stone above the
Boylston Street entrance of the BPL:

The Commonwealth Requires the Education of the People as the Safeguard of Order and Liberty.

I’m proud to report that Levenger has paid the Library more than $25,000 in royalties for the bags as of the fall of 2007, showing that commerce and charitable giving can travel together. Plus, it brings out that sparkle in Bernie’s eyes.

And so with the bag as our first project, we felt prepared for something bigger. To be more specific, two big bronze ladies who have presided in front of the library since 1914. More on this in a future report…

Comments

[Judith Brightman]

I received the BPL bag for Christmas 2006...it's great for hauling most anything, including books...recycled cans and bottles, camping gear...anything that need to go from here to there...comfortably. Christmas 2007 offered the Bloomsbury Bag...it, too, has a Boston connection. It made a wonderful gift for my granddaughter, a sophomore at Boston University. She can haul books, computer, and anything else she needs around campus, or to return home to Maine during breaks. We both love our bags!!

[William Summers]

I love the Bomber Jacket items. I have a lot of them. I'm disappointed that I can't get information on the Passport cover that is shown in many of the pictures.

[Elizabeth Janovsky]

I had the great good fortune to know someone who worked at the BPL and got a different tote bag with images of the beautiful lanterns on it. They are just printed on I believe, and I fear the day when it's all worn off. If you were to reproduce, I know it would last forever (or therabouts). Then again, I don't think many people other than employees have them so I like the relative exclusivity of it. But the BPL is so rich w/beauty and deserving of our honor, I say "bring on the reproductions!" (Paperweight w/the quote? Paperweight model of the bldg?)

[Linda]

Steve, The first time I visited your store in Boston I fell in love with the BPL bag but my daugter convinced me I didn't need it. Later a friend gave it to me for my birthday so I would stop talking about how cool it is. I fill it with books, going away for the weekend and grocery shopping. I love it.

[Kathleen Goelkel]

I love Levinger and have purchased many items. One purchase that I love is the Bookography software to track my books. Are there any plans to offer an updated version or one that works on a PDA?

[Barbara]

I got 2 of the Boston Public Library bags, then purchased 2 more. I love bags in general, & use them when I buy many books from thrift stores, then when I trade books to used book stores. I also use them for grocery shopping. They elicit comments, for sure. I love them, & love telling people where I got them & showing the quote on the inside.

[C. E. Ferrell]

I purchased the Boston Public Library tote bag. I'm very pleased with its usefulness. I unload groceries from the car, and it's great for trips to the laundry room.

[Lula]

As I live less than two blocks from the BPL, of course I HAD to purchase one of these bags. That first bag has now multiplied into eight, which corral everything from rolled-up maps to laundry. One of them even functions as a piece of furniture. I pack it to the brim with seasonal clothes, plant my Laplander on the top, and while I wouldn't put anything really weighty or breakable on it, it does very well for a small nightstand where I can deposit my glasses, a book, and the remote control.