Welcome, researchers! The vast majority of BPL's research collection is housed at the Central Library in Copley Square in mainly three departments: Research Services, Special Collections, and the Leventhal Map & Education Center.
This guide will provide an overview of what is needed to access research resources at BPL and where to find these materials - both online and in our building. It does not focus on our circulating collection (browsable items on our shelves that can be taken home).
Resources at Boston Public Library are freely available to anyone. Whether you are a Massachusetts resident or an out-of-state user, library cards are required to access the majority of our physical and virtual materials. Also keep in mind:
The Boston Public Library provides three types of cards: Library Cards, eCards, and Research Cards. Each card provides different privileges.
Massachusetts Residents: Can get a Library Card or an eCard. Having both is not necessary and does not provide extra benefits.
Non-Massachusetts Residents: Can get a Research Card which provides limited access to our resources.
All library cards require a PIN for printing, logging onto BPL computers, and more.
The Boston Public Library's Central Branch in Copley Square spans an entire block and includes two buildings which are connected: the Boylston Building (the New Building) and the McKim Building (the Old Building). Read the full history of this beautiful building here.
There are accessible entrances at both buildings. View a map of the Central Library interior here (the gold is the McKim Building, and the gray is the Boylston Building).
Photo Left: "McKim building exterior," ca. 1995 photo taken near Dartmouth Street. It is often referred to as the Old Building.
Photo Right: "Boston Public Library Johnson building," with Boylston Street in the foreground. Photo ca. 1972–1979. Previously known as the Johnson Building, the Boylston Street Building is often referred to as the New Building.
Most of BPL's research collections are in "closed stacks," which refers to materials not on public-facing shelves. Patrons can still access these materials. Staff will retrieve closed-stacks items for patrons from on-site or off-site storage. These materials are usually in-library use only. A library card or research card is required to request all closed stacks materials.
Why is anything in closed stacks?
There are many reasons an item could be in closed stacks. Items may be rare, irreplaceable, expensive, out-of-date but still valuable, and more. The biggest reason is that BPL does not have enough space on our open shelves to store everything we have (BPL has millions of items).
Right: Library staff moving closed periodical stacks. Photograph, 1960.
How do I see something from closed stacks?
The procedure to see closed-stack items depends on where the item is located but a library card is always required for access. Understanding our catalog will help you decipher what is where (see next tab). For items with the location:
How long does it take to retrieve closed-stack items?
This varies by department and the location of the item. Timeframes range anywhere from 20 minutes to several days.
Right: The Abbey Room, formerly known as the Delivery Room, is encircled by murals of the adventures of Sir Galahad of Camelot. The Abbey Room abutts Bates Hall and the Grand Staircase in McKim.
