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Researching at the Boston Public Library

This guide is to help you get started researching at the Boston Public Library. Whether you live in Boston or are visiting, find out how to use the resources available.

Overview

Items in Special Collections are designated as having enduring value and serviced through the Special Collections Reading Room at Central Library​

What is in Special Collections?

Holdings in Special Collections include Books​, Archival Collections​, Manuscripts​, Music​, Photographs​, Prints & Drawings​, Fine Arts (paintings, sculptures, etc). Items in this department do not circulate (they cannot be checked out) but patrons can request to view anything in our holdings! Requirements vary to be able to see an object based on the fragility of the item, time constraints, object location, and other limitations. However, staff strive to provide access for all patrons, in agreement with BPL's "Free to All" mission.

Where are these Collections?

Items are in the Special Collections department, on display within the Central Library, or held in an off-site location for preservation reasons. BPL's catalog notes when an item is in by marking the location as "Special Collections". Due to the variety of  preservation needs for objects in Special Collections, there is a different process for requesting items. The simplest way is through our catalog. For items cataloged at bpl.org there is often (but not always) a green "Request an Item" button for patrons to click. The basic description of the item is also provided. This button does not exist for all items and not all items in Special Collections are in this catalog. See below to learn how to access specific collections through different online portals. If it is unclear how to access an item, please email Special Collections.

How Do I Access Materials In Special Collections?

Patrons can search and/or view all materials online, see below for instructions for specific collections. To view items in person, patrons may schedule an appointment by emailing Special Collections or their Reading Room account. A Reading Room account is required to view items in-person.

Reading Room

In order to use material in the Arts, Archives, Rare Books & Manuscripts or Map Center, you must have a reading room account that is separate from your BPL library account. With this account, patrons can:

  • Schedule appointments to use the reading room
  • Request material to see in the reading room
  • Track what you've already seen and what items you might want to see in the future
  • Ask for scans of materials

Right: BPL's Special Collections department. Seen here: the Reading Room, Display Room, and archival materials (second floor).

Accessing Special Collections

What are Archival Collections?

An archival collection is a group of related materials that documents the activities of an individual, family, or organization. For example, one of BPL's most popular archival collections is the John Adams Papers, 61 letters written by John Adams before he was President. Individual items are often not digitized and must be viewed in-person. Collections can be searched online at archives.bpl.org. 

Right: Cabinet, Central Library, Boston Public Library, photograph, ca. 1918–1935. Fret not, our archival materials are kept in much safer, temperature-controlled conditions designed to preserve items for as long as possible.

What is in the Music Collection?

BPL's Music Collection spans Special Collections and Research Services. 40% of music holdings have a record in BPL's catalog. Special music collections include autograph scores from a wide variety of composers, first editions, early printed music (both European and North American), and rare monographs and periodicals. To complement its rich collections of published materials, there are ca. 75 special and archival collections related to music, composers, and performers with a specific focus on local Boston music making.

To search for materials online:

  • BPL's Catalog
    • Collections and items that were added to our holdings before ca. 1980 may not be in Polaris.
  • RISM (Répertoire International des Sources Musicales) for materials created before 1800
    • Currently, 2672 music materials from BPL's music special collections can be searched in RISM. Most of these materials have not been added to BPL's online catalog.
    • Search by selecting "Library siglum" in the advanced search drop-down menu, and type US-Bp in the search box.
  • Archives at BPL
    • This tool will search finding aids for music archival collections; however, most archival collections have not yet been added.

Print research tools may also need to be consulted. Email Special Collections for further information. Please also refer to these BPL Research Guides:

Right: Schirmer's library of musical classics. Print, ca. 1890–1920.

How do I find Rare Books & Manuscripts?

50% of rare books holdings have records in BPL's catalog. For items not found there, use BPL's Digitized Card Catalog.  This card catalog is the best place to search for rare books and manuscripts. It can be organized geographically, chronologically, or by author last name. Our Research Catalog is also a helpful tool because 90% of manuscripts and 30% of all rare books books are listed. See descriptions of all BPL online catalogs here.

See Also...

Right: Patron reading the Dominican Prayer Book. Photograph, 1976.

What is in the Arts Department?

The arts collection spans the 15th century to the present day. BPL's regular catalog does not support searching for these items. Instead use arts.bpl.org or Digital Commonwealth. This search portal introduces researchers and curious minds to our holdings. Many items haven’t yet been digitized, but the descriptions are available. Patrons are encouraged to reach out to the library with questions about the collections, or to make an appointment to view items in person.

Right: Boston Public Library. Fine Arts Department. Leo F. Dunphy. Photograph, ca. 1920.