Boston Public Library
eCards

Online Registration and eCard FAQ

Can I register for a library card online?

Yes, Massachusetts State Residents can sign up for a Boston Public Library eCard via the web! Just follow the prompts on the registration form and your eCard number will be emailed to you.

BPL eCards are virtual library cards that allow users immediate entry to all of Boston Public Library's remotely-accessible electronic resources, including magazine databases, downloadable audio, video, eBooks, and music.  eCard users who wish to check out library materials will be asked to upgrade to a standard BPL card (see below).

Anyone individual who lives or owns property in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may register for an eCard. Additionally, resident students and people who commute to Massachusetts for work are eligible. Only applicants who are 13 years of age or older may register.

Library cards for corporations, businesses, libraries, institutions, and children under the age of 13 must be obtained in person at one of our locations. Institutional cards provide borrowing and interlibrary loan privileges, but do not allow remote access to electronic resources, due to vendor licensing restrictions.

An eCard gives you immediate access to the following from your own computer:

• An account in our online catalog that allows you to rate, review, and share the books, movies, and music that you love
• Electronic Resources (magazine and journal articles from online databases)
• Downloadable eBooks, Audio, Video, and Music
• Request items to be held for pickup, using our online catalog. (But don't forget to bring your picture I.D. and proof of address when picking up your holds so you will be able to check them out.)

What can't I do with my eCard?

You will be asked to upgrade to a standard library card in order to do any of the following:

• Check out items from our collection
• Reserve museum passes
• Use resources from our "in library use only" collections
• Use an internet-capable public access computer to obtain unfiltered access to the internet using our wireless network.

It's easy!  Bring a picture identification and proof of your current address in the form of postmarked mail, bills, or a lease to any Boston Public Library location or Metro Boston Library Network location and we will be glad to upgrade your card.

Remember - staff will not be able to upgrade your eCard to a standard BPL card without proper identification. (See where to get a library card.)

The Boston Public Library wants to make sure kids are safe online, so in accordance with the Child Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) we don't let children under 13 fill out the contact information required for an eCard account. The birthdate information allows you to confirm that you are 13 or older.

Also, this extra bit of information helps us avoid creating duplicate library cards when you upgrade your card to full borrowing privileges.

Rest assured, your birthdate will never be displayed publicly on our web site and is not used for other purposes that will personally identify you or your library use.

Yes, if you intend to use it for a long period of time. eCards expire after two years unless they are upgraded to standard BPL cards.

If your eCard expires before you have a chance to upgrade it, you may register for a new eCard.

You can find the registration form here. It will appear in a popup window, so if you don't see it, please be sure to disable any popup blockers temporarily. The form requires JavaScript to be enabled in your browser.