Rare Books and Manuscripts Department
Overview
Rare Books and Manuscripts Department collections are listed in a variety of catalogs, both off- and online. Several different tools are available to make searching these catalogs and finding collections easier.
To search now, scroll down. To learn more, click the Find Books, Find Manuscripts, or Find Archives tabs.
Online Search Links
- Best online catalog for rare books and manuscripts
- Easier viewing of keyword search results
- Default display shows full description
- About 90% of manuscripts and 30% of all rare books are listed
- Can not search or filter by date
- Good online catalog if searched by author or exact title
- Must "broaden search" to see full keyword results list
- Default view displays partial description only
- About 90% of manuscripts and 30% of all rare books are listed
- Can search by date
- Much more complete than online catalogs
- Exact copy of physical card catalog
- Find books and printed materials
- Limited keyword searching
- New acquisitions not included
- Slightly more complete than online catalogs
- Exact copy of physical card catalog
- Find manuscripts and archives
- Limited keyword searching
- New acquisitions not included
- Search and browse archival finding aids
- Selected subset of collections are currently listed
- Search selection of digitized BPL special collections
- High-quality, fully downloadable images
Contact & Reading Room Hours
Contact us!
Address:
Rare Books and Manuscript Department
Boston Public Library
700 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116
specialcollections@bpl.org
Address:
Rare Books and Manuscript Department
Boston Public Library
700 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116
specialcollections@bpl.org
Reading Room Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 9:30-4:30
- Thursday: 9:30-4:30
- Friday: 9:30-4:30
- Saturday- Sunday: Closed