Boston Public Library
General Summary
Borrowing and Circulating Information
Eligibility for a Borrower's Card

Who can get a full service Boston Public Library Card?

  • Massachusetts residents
  • Massachusetts property owners
  • People employed in Massachusetts
  • Students attending school in Massachusetts
  • Residents of temporary housing

Children 12 and under need a parent’s signature to get a library card.

Note: Library cards are not transferable. They may be used only by the person to whom they are issued.
Use of Library Cards
 Registered borrowers may borrow circulating library materials from the Central Library, the Branch Libraries, and the libraries in the Metro Boston Library Network.

How to Register

Tip: Get a jump start by registering for an eCard now. You can use it to access many things online and it will be easier to upgrade to a full card later!

 To become a registered borrower, fill out the Library's application form and furnish photo identification which includes your name, present address, and has your signature. If you have a valid library card from one of the following Massachusetts library networks, you may choose to use the same card when registering for borrowing privileges at the Boston Public Library: Automated Bristol Library Exchange (ABLE), Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing (CLAMS), Fenway Libraries Online (FLO), Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), Minuteman Library Network (MLN), North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE), Old Colony Library Network (OCLN), and Southeastern Automated Libraries (SEAL). If you are using the card of another network and it is your first time registering at an MBLN location you will need to furnish identification which includes your present address and bears your signature.
Borrowing and Returning Library Materials DATE DUE
Generally, Library materials are due 21 days from the date they were borrowed; certain materials may be subject to shorter loan periods. Videos, DVDs and circulating magazines may be borrowed for seven days.The due date appears on the card inserted in each item.

BORROWING
The Library reserves the right to limit the number of items to be borrowed. The library limits borrowers to 10 DVds at any time. The number must be reasonable; i.e. it must be consistent with the needs and rights of other borrowers.

RENEWAL OF MATERIALS IS PERMITTED
Certain exceptions apply -- please check at the Circulation Desk. You may renew in person, by the automated phone system (617-859-5908), or online. For automated phone system and online renewals you will need a PIN.

RETURNING MATERIALS
Material borrowed from one BPL location may be returned to any other BPL location. They may also be returned to any Library in the Metro Boston Library Network.
Responsibility

Borrowers are held responsible for material borrowed by means of their library cards. Borrowers should report immediately to the Library the loss of a card, a change in name, or a change in address. Borrower's cards are not transferable.Borrowers are held responsible for material borrowed by means of their library cards. Borrowers should report immediately to the Library the loss of a card, a change in name, or a change in address. Borrower's cards are not transferable.

If an item is overdue for more than 30 days or if the maximum fine ($10.00) accrues on your account, you will not be able to borrow materials or renew items you currently have borrowed from the Library, until the materials are returned and fines are settled.
Fines and Fees

 OVERDUE MATERIAL:
  • Adults $0.10 per day for all material types.
    Maximum fine of $5.00 for adult material (per item)
  • Children and Young Adults $0.05 per day for all material types.
    Maximum fine of $2.50     for Children's and Young Adults material(per item)
  • Certain materials may be subject to higher overdue rates.

REPLACING LOST CARDS:

  • $1.00 for all borrowers.

DAMAGED OR LOST MATERIAL:
Various charges for damaged or lost material apply.