Researching at the Boston Public Library

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. 

• Library Card: Provides full access to all BPL materials and resources, both physical and virtual.
• eCard: Provides access to only virtual BPL materials and resources.

Non-Massachusetts Residents: Can get a Research Card which provides limited access to our resources.

• Research Card: Allows in-person visitors to access our online resources and in-library use only materials. Does not allow visitors to borrow items or access online resources remotely.

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.

• McKim Building: This is the old side of the building 
  • Research Services. The Research Librarian's desk can be found in the Washington Room. 
  • Washington Room: Contains BPL's Reference Collection, call numbers A-F
  • Bates Hall: Contains BPL's Reference Collection call numbers G-Z, and a small collection of our Government Documents.
  • Elliott Room: This is BPL's Local History room. Here you will find genealogy and local history books focusing on Massachusetts but not excluding the rest of New England.
  • Delivery Desk: This is where patrons pick up any items held in our closed stacks or in off-site storage.
• Boylston Building: This is the new side of the building:
  • Special Collections: On the 3rd floor, accessible via the glass elevator
  • Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center: The business research library on the lower level.
  • Circulating Fiction & Nonfiction: These are items BPL members can borrow.

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 they're 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:

• Delivery Desk: Fill out a request slip with the title, author, call number, your name, and your card number
• High Density Off Site Storage or Off Site Storage: Request these items via BPL's Interlibrary Loan
• Special Collections: Request via the Special Collections Department or request an item directly through our catalog
• Research Services: Request items at the Washington Desk in the Central Library by filling out a request slip.

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 (most common) to several days (like artwork from Special Collections). 

The first part of a catalog entry will tell you which department holds an item, the second part provides more detail. Please see our research guide Using the Library Catalog for a full explanation on using BPL's catalog and understanding catalog entries.