Boston Public Library - Central Library

Yes, certainly! A library card is required for some services like checking out materials, but we would love for you to visit, enjoy our collections, and explore or spaces. See you soon!

Yes, it is

If you live in Massachusetts, you can register for a library card. Learn more at https://www.bpl.org/faq/getting-a-library-card/.

Yes you can!

No.

Thank you for asking! Please feel free to bookmark the Tours page for the latest schedule: https://www.bpl.org/art-tours/ Right now we do not have tours on Sunday, but the Central Library is open 11-5 then aside from holidays. Individual visitors are welcome to explore the building on their own using the free Art & Architecture booklets available at public service desks. Here is the Art & Architecture Virtual Booklet as well: https://apps.bpl.org/tourbooklet/

Hi, Sarah. Yes! All of our locations are open, with added safety precautions. The main things to know are that you must wear a mask at all times in our buildings and that our hours have been adjusted. Please check bpl.org for the details & hours, and to stay up-to-date with the services we're offering.

We're sorry. The library is not open to visitors at the moment, due to the health crisis. We do have a new online tour booklet available though, if you'd like to learn more about the art & architecture of the Central Library. You can find it at https://www.bpl.org/tourbooklet

Our locations aren't currently open for browsing, study, or general visits. The main in-person services we are currently offering are holds pickup and limited public computer use by appointment. We're updating https://www.bpl.org/takeout with service updates as we add services back in accordance with local health guidelines.

Yes! Our book drop at the Boylston Street entrance is open to accept your returns 24/7. Our branch locations can accept your returns, but only during BPL To Go hours, 2 - 6 pm Monday - Thursday and from 1 - 4 pm Friday. Learn more at https://www.bpl.org/takeout/.

You'll find the hours for Teen Central at https://www.bpl.org/department-hours/#teens. It is open 9-5 on Fridays and Saturdays and 1-5 on Sundays, just like the rest of the Central Library. On other days of the week, Teen Central is open 12-8.

Hi, Bruno. Yes, we have a host of English language learning resources, including classes. You can learn more here: https://www.bpl.org/learning-english/

Hi, Pranali. Everyone is welcome to visit our locations in Boston. If you also live in Massachusetts, you can register for a library card as well. Learn more at https://www.bpl.org/faq/getting-a-library-card/.

Yes, we have books in many languages and quite a few in Spanish. See https://www.bpl.org/world-language-collections/. We also have eBooks in Spanish if that interests you as well. https://bpl.overdrive.com/search/title?language=es&sortBy=newlyadded

CharlieCards were just sent out to all the branches on Friday, so you should be able to pick one up. If you are reading this response at a later date, please call ahead of time to make sure. Thank you for using the Boston Public Library.

Hi Dani, you can see English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes here: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?_ga=2.174984802.1166997094.1657544907-2040873297.1641834129&types=5a81f6def529d53400f47619 You can use the filters on the left to sort by location. Additionally, here is our ESOL website page with more information: https://www.bpl.org/esol Thank you for contacting the Boston Public Library.

Your best bet would be to either check their catalog (it's an easy search on bpl.org) or try calling a librarian there. I found several items in the catalog that might work for you, ranging from historical fiction to sociological texts, so there is definitely material there.

Yes, the library is open to all visitors and you can bring backpacks. We hope to see you soon!

The library is open Monday and Tuesday 10am-6pm; Wednesday and Thursday 10am-8pm; Friday and Saturday 9am-5pm; Sundays it's closed.

The Newsfeed Cafe is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10a - 5p. The Map Room Tea Lounge and the Courtyard Tea Room will open on September 22, 2021. They're taking reservations.

Hi, Jennifer. The Central Library is comprised of the McKim Building, which opened in 1895, and the Boylston Street Building, which opened in 1972. You can learn more about both buildings, and the art & architecture of each, at https://www.bpl.org/tourbooklet/.

Hi, Victor! We don't have a shredder available for public use. If you print a document at the library that contains sensitive information, we may be able to help you destroy it appropriately, but we don't offer document shredding services in general.

Hi, Brianna. We don't have a date yet to announce for extended visits, but keep an eye on our site at bpl.org for the latest information. As soon as we have firm plans for services we're re-introducing in our reopening, we post them there.

Hi, Rebecca. We are open only for limited in-person services at this time, including holds pickup and limited public computer by appointment. You can see what in-person services we have available at bpl.org. We don't have any additional services to announce today, but we should soon and our website is the best place to stay on top of that news.

We're not open for browsing or studying yet. We are currently finalizing a plan that prioritizes the health and safety of our patrons and staff; while we don't have specific dates for each location just yet, we expect to make announcements in the near future. We anticipate a staggered reopening consisting of several phases, and will update our website (bpl.org) and social media platforms with more information when we have it. We’re just as excited to reopen as you are to come visit again!

Hi, Ardelia. MassEdCO, our partner who help people financial aid and other educational planning, has closed all the physical locations for the time being. But they are still assisting folks by way of video and phone calls. You can learn more at https://www.massedco.org/. Click on "Locations" and then the link to the Boston Area Education and Career Planning Center.

We haven't yet announced any additional services, but we will do so soon in coordination with the City of Boston reopening guidelines. Be sure to check bpl.org and sign up for our newsletter at https://apps.bpl.org/newsletter to stay up to date with what we're able to offer.

Hi, Betty. We have The Book of Lost Names in digital audio book format. You can borrow it at www.bpl.org online with your Boston Public Library card. If you don't have a BPL card and you are a Massachusetts resident, sign up for an eCard at https://www.bpl.org/ecard.

Our locations are only open for returns, scheduled holds pickup, and other limited services. We're not open for browsing or general visits. Find out what services are available at https://www.bpl.org/takeout.

Our locations are not open for browsing or study at this time. In person services are limited to holds pickup and limited public computer use at the Central Library. Find out more about what services are available at https://www.bpl.org/takeout.

Hi, Gary. Any resident of Massachusetts can easily register for an eCard online. Visit https://www.bpl.org/ecard to learn more.

Our locations aren't currently open for browsing, study, or general visits. The main in-person services we are currently offering are holds pickup and limited public computer use by appointment. We're updating https://www.bpl.org/takeout with service updates as we add services back in accordance with local health guidelines.

We do! Right now, our buildings are closed for in-person classes, but we are holding ESL classes and conversation groups online. Visit https://www.bpl.org/ESLclasses to see what we have scheduled.

They are! We are scheduling a limited number of public computer sessions daily at the Central Library. See https://www.bpl.org/takeout for more information. (Note that computers will not be available on September 1, the service will not be available so the building can serve as a voting location.)

You can use our Printing To Go service to print documents while our locations are closed for most in-person service. See https://www.bpl.org/takeout for details.

You can place a hold on books you find by searching our catalog at bpl.org. Click the Place a Hold button and log in with your library card number and PIN. Choose Central Library as the pickup location. When we notify you that your hold is ready for pickup, you can pick it up between the hours 11-6 Monday-Thursday or 11-4 Friday/Saturday. You don't need an appointment at the Central Library. If you choose a branch pickup location, you will need to make an appointment and instructions will be included in your notification. Learn more at https://www.bpl.org/takeout

At the moment, no. Right now, we're just offering holds pickup at most of our locations. You can learn more at https://www.bpl.org/takeout. When conditions are safe enough for us to offer spaces for study, we'll be sure to let you know on our website!

We're currently working on plans to add physical services back in accordance with local and national health and safety guidance. We'll certainly be communicating our plans far and wide when they are set. We're excited to be able to serve you in person again!

Reading room is a silent place for studying

Hi, Taisha. If you're attending college in Massachusetts, you can get a library card. And we do have printers that can print in color. It's a little more expensive ($0.75/page) than b/w printing, but it's certainly available.

The Central Library is a 13-15 minute walk (3/4 mile) from BoCo, straight down Boylston Street. It's about a 10 minute walk (half mile) from the Hynes stop of the T.

You can find our conversation groups listed on our website at https://www.bpl.org by searching our calendar of events or just follow this link: https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/search/fq=types:(5a81f6def529d53400f47619)

Yes, we do have many historical newspapers and other works on microfiche. You'll find them listed in our catalog. Most are accessible to the public at our Central Library in Copley Square. Learn all about newspapers at the BPL here: http://guides.bpl.org/newspapers

I suggest you to get to the library using the T, instead of a car, way more convenient.

Hi, Ivonne. You likely should contact the ASA Education and Career Planning Center (a partner organization that has a location in the Central Library) for help with your FAFSA. You'll find their hours and contact info listed here: https://www.asa.org/planning/

Hi, Susan. If you submit your reference inquiry on our website, our reference librarians will either help get you the obituary you're looking for or tell you how to access it. You can submit all the information you have about the deceased person on this form: https://www.bpl.org/questions-or-suggestions/

Hi, Lisa. If you submit your reference inquiry on our website, our reference librarians will make sure we have the issue of the paper you need. We can either help get you the obituary you're looking for or tell you how to access the issue that contains it. You can submit all the information you have about the deceased person on this form: https://www.bpl.org/questions-or-suggestions/

Have you ever cleaned crumbs out of a keyboard? Or cheeto dust off of a mouse? Yuuuck. Please be kind to the computers.

Closed federal holidays

Yes

Yes, printing at our multifunction printers costs $0.15 a page and must be prepaid at a red kiosk.

Yes, there are 9 Apple iMacs on the first floor of the Johnson Building in Tech Central near the Audio Books section.

Yes it is open all the days

You'll find the after-hours drop box located in the wall to the left side of the entrance to the Johnson Building on Boylston Street.

It may exist but u can always inquire with them.

Meters

Usually they are good on things like that so try to contact the library on that issue.

Nope, parking is available on the streets, though. Recommend driving in early or going on a weekend morning.

Hi Deborah, this part of google maps is not actually a way to speak tomthe Library staff. I suggest calling them, as this is only Q and A from people who are local guides.

No, completely different library systems, but with proper ID, easy for you to get BPL library card.