The library will notify you about your account in one of three ways; by phone, by email, or by mail. You may specify which method to use in your account.
You can do that by signing into our website with your card number and PIN, or by visiting any BPL service desk.
If you’d like to opt out of any or all types of notifications you’ve been receiving, stop by any of our service desks, or change your preferences on your account.
If you have activated your account on bpl.org, you can change your address from your dashboard by navigating to “My Settings” and then to “Personal Information.”
You can also change your email address at the service desk at any BPL location.
You can update your address at any BPL location. Bring proof of your new address, in the form of an updated drivers license or state ID, a piece of official mail, a bill, or a lease.
Your card requires renewal periodically to confirm that you’re still eligible for one.
If you have a physical card (number usually begins with 29999), you can renew it in-person at any BPL location by presenting a picture ID and proof of Massachusetts residency. A Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card satisfies both requirements. Learn more about additional ways you can prove your residency here. You cannot renew a physical library card online.
If you have an eCard (number usually begins with 20000 or MBLN), you can renew it online, opens a new window ten days before the expiration date or anytime later.
If you have an expired physical card but want to borrow electronic titles before you can come to a branch, follow these steps:
Once your library card expires, you won't be able to further borrow items or access library resources and services.
You will still be able to log into your BPL account.
Your data will be preserved, and you can renew your library card any time after if it expires.
Physical Cardholders
Your card number is the fourteen-digit number underneath the bar code.
eCardholders
Fill out our Card Number Retrieval Form with the same email address you used before. We'll email you a reminder of your eCard number.
MBLN Partner Cardholders
The bar code location on cards issued by other MBLN libraries varies. Contact the library that issued your card for help finding your card number.
A library card in good standing means there are no blocks on the card. A block could be in place for a number of reasons including but not limited to: an expired card, multiple overdue items, replacement cost fine(s) greater than $24.99, a trespass letter on file, more than one existing account, eCard ineligibility, or unreturned ComCat/ILL items.
Please log in to your account through the catalog to view items you have checked out, and any fines on your account.
If you haven't registered your account online, you can register it online here.
You can also go to any BPL service desk to find out about items you have checked out and any fines you may have.
We are sorry, but the information in his patron record is confidential.
No, but we will be happy to call, email, or mail a list of those items to the card holder.
Unfortunately not. If you’d like to authorize someone to check out items on your behalf, you can sign and complete our authorization form and turn it in in-person at any BPL location.
Sharing a card between multiple users is not allowed. As the cardholder of record, you are solely responsible for all fines and fees incurred with your card.
If your friend/child/spouse/parent would like to borrow from the BPL, they should sign up for their own card.
Call or visit us any BPL location as soon as you can to report the lost card. This protects you if another person tries to use your card and incurs any fines or fees. Please note that you will need to bring a picture ID and proof of Massachusetts residency. Learn more about what you can bring to fulfill these requirements.
We can replace your card at any BPL location.
If you use the downloadable and streaming services Kanopy or Hoopla Digital be sure to login and update your account with your updated library card number.
You should still be able to see your active holds, checkouts, and other digital activity when you log into OverDrive with your new library card credentials.
However, if we need to create a whole new borrower record for you though, we may need to transfer your activity to the new account. You can email us at websupport@bpl.org to transfer your holds and checkouts in OverDrive to your new card. Please send the old and new library card numbers.
Log in with your library card number and your user name will be visible on your dashboard.
You can always log in with either your username or your library card number.
You can reset your PIN through our Forgot your Card Number or PIN? page.
If you are not receiving any reset PIN email, try to reset your PIN through our alternative catalog.
If neither of these options worked, contact us at websupport@bpl.org and we’ll work with you over email to retrieve your PIN in a way that doesn’t compromise your account security.
To keep your library account secure, you can only keep your bpl.org account logged in on one browser at a time. Logging in on a new browser will log you out of an old browser.
However, the BPL to Go app is designed to remain logged in. Logging into the app will not log out your existing browser session.
This only applies to your library borrowing account and does not extend to third-party apps and services like OverDrive, Hoopla, or other online resources.
You can renew your eCard 10 days before it expires or later. You can complete the renewal form online.
You cannot renew physical library cards online.
Fill out our Card Number Retrieval Form. We'll email you a reminder of your eCard number.
You should still be able to see your active holds, checkouts, and other digital activity when you log in with your new library card credentials.
However, if we need to create a whole new borrower record for you though, we may need to transfer your activity to the new account. You can email us at websupport@bpl.org to transfer your holds and checkouts in OverDrive to your new card. Please send the old and new library card numbers.
All eCards can be upgraded by visiting any BPL location. Bring photo ID and proof of your Massachusetts address. A Massachusetts driver’s license or ID meets both requirements.
After you upgrade, you should still be able to see your active holds, checkouts, and other digital activity when you log in with your new library card credentials.
However, if we need to create a whole new borrower record for you, we may need to transfer your activity to the new account. You can email us at websupport@bpl.org to transfer your holds and checkouts in OverDrive to your new card. Please send the old and new library card numbers.
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