Accessing Our Collections

Boston Public Library CatalogBoston Public Library Catalog
(Part of MBLN)

Use the online catalog to find books, videos, cds, etc. that you can check out and take home. You can also find BPL research materials (acquired by the library after 1974) for in-building use.

On a smartphone or tablet? Use our mobile catalog.

You can also use our Alternate Catalog to search for items.

Hoopla Streaming Media

Boston Public Library now offers streaming movies, television episodes, music, and audio books. Popular titles are always available so you can borrow what you like, when you like and enjoy them on your computer, Android device, or iOS device.

Zinio Digital Magazines

Check out and read current issues of popular magazines on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. More than a hundred titles are always available.

OverDrive Downloadable Media & Other eBook Collections

Choose from hundreds of digital titles available in OverDrive eBook, Audio Book, OverDrive Music, and now, OverDrive Video formats! Download these titles directly to your PC, then transfer them to an ereader or read them right there.

You might need additional software to borrow OverDrive titles. Please visit OverDrive Help for more information.

You can also find ebooks and other downloadable media in any of our ebook collections using your library card number and PIN.

Online Collections

Many of our collections can be accessed online. Manuscripts, ebooks, photos and other images, videos, sound archives, and more are available for viewing, listening, and downloading.

A few online collections require your Boston Public Library card number and PIN, but most do not.

Collections of Distinction

The Collections of Distinction represent the most outstanding, expansive, and renowned of the Boston Public Library's physical collections. Featured collections include:

• American Civil War 20th Massachusetts Regiment
• American Revolutionary War Era Maps
• Boston Theater
• Dwiggins and Graphic Design
• Irish History and Culture
• Maritime Charts and Atlases
• Medieval and Early Renaissance Manuscripts
• Sacco-Vanzetti Defense Committee
• Spanish and Portuguese Literature
• Urban Maps

Research Books and Periodicals

Newspapers currently received by the library

• About these lists
• View the U.S. titles
• View the non-U.S. titles
• View the newspaper titles on microfilm
  

Special Collections

The Library has holdings in monographs, serials, government documents, scores, microfilm, maps, manuscripts, photographs, prints, and sound recordings as well as other special collections. About this list

Archival and Manuscript Finding Aids

This database contains descriptions of select archival and manuscript collections held by the Boston Public Library. The database does not include descriptions of all of the archival or manuscript material held by the Library. There will be regular updates as new collection descriptions become available.

These collections are available for use in the Central Library in Copley Square. Please note the hours of operation and contact the Rare Books Department at rare_books@bpl.org or (617) 859-2225 for more information.

The Boston Public Library maintains world language collections for the languages listed below. These languages were chosen based on circulation data, demographic information and anticipated future demand.

Many branches have world language collections - the primary depositories for each language are listed below. All languages are collected by the Central Library. Irish-Gaelic, Greek, and Hebrew languages are currently held off site, and are available for patrons to request through the BPL catalog.

The world language collections may include books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and newspapers for adults, children and teens.

Central Library

Neighborhood Branches