Boston Public
Library
Requesting
Material
Our Collections
Circulating Material
To place a hold on items that may be checked out, you must have a valid Metro-Boston Library Network (MBLN) library card and PIN number.
Use our online catalog to find material. Click the "Place a Hold" button next to the item you want and follow the instructions. Note that some items, like research material, may not be
requested. If no requestable items exist for the item you want, you will see a message onscreen to that effect.
If you wish, you may also simply call the Library
(617-536-5400), and we will place the request for you.
Research Material
Research collections may only be used in the library. You may not take this material home,
but you may use the materials in this collection during any of the hours we are open.
Many research materials (pre-1974) cannot be searched electronically, but we will gladly assist you in locating them.
Some of our older materials are stored off-site. To find out about availability of
materials and to have them set aside for you, call the Delivery Desk (617-536-5400,
extension 2244). The Book Delivery Desk staff will need the title, author and call number
of the material. They will be able to tell you if the titles you need are stored off-site,
and when they can be ready for you here in Copley Square. (If you have difficulty locating
the call number, etc., staff can assist over the telephone 617-536-5400, and electronically.) The Delivery Desk staff will pull up
to three items.
If you call ahead and have materials set aside for you, you can both save time and insure
materials will be available when you arrive.
NOTE: Research material
that may be pulled for you will have the location noted in the electronic
catalog as "BPL Central - Delivery Desk". For material with a
department noted, you need to check with that department. They are
often quickly available, but you can call ahead to the department
to check the status.
To use the Delivery Desk materials, pick them up at the
Delivery Desk on the second floor of the McKim Building. You will need to show your Boston Public Library
card in order to use these materials.
If you do not have a library card, please
bring identification and you may obtain a free card at the Delivery Desk.
Massachusetts residents will receive a full-service card, visitors from other states and
countries will receive a courtesy card. Courtesy cards permit patrons to use materials
within the library. All cards are free.
Periodicals
Periodicals held in our research collections may only
be used in the library. You may use the materials in this collection during any of the
hours we are open.
Some of our older materials are stored
off-site. To find out about availability of materials and to have them set aside for you,
call the Book Delivery Desk (617-536-5400, extension 2244). The Book Delivery Desk staff
will need the title, dates and call number of the material. They will be able to tell you
if the dates you need are stored off-site, and when they can be ready for you here in
Copley Square. (If you have difficulty locating the call number, etc., staff can assist
over the telephone 617-536-5400, and electronically.)
If you call ahead and have materials set aside for you, you can both save time and insure
materials will be available when you arrive.
When you arrive to use the materials, go to
the Book Delivery Desk on the second floor of the McKim Building (the older building). You
will need to show your Boston Public Library card in order to use these materials.
If you do not have a library card, please
bring identification and you may obtain a free card at the Book Delivery Desk.
Massachusetts residents will receive a full-service card, visitors from other states and
countries will receive a courtesy card. Courtesy cards permit patrons to use materials
within the library. All cards are free.
NOTE: To use periodicals from the last
twelve months, you do not need to call ahead. These are more quickly retrieved at the
Periodicals Counter in the McKim Building. However, in most cases, you will need the call
number to request the material. If you have any questions on what you need or where to
retrieve it, please call ahead.
Many of the branches of the Boston Public Library maintain collections (up to a hundred
titles) of magazines. They usually keep these for two years and many may be checked out.
These are not currently listed in our electronic access catalogs and databases, you will
need to check with staff.
