Featured
Author Visit: Phaea Crede (Ages 6-12)
Jul 11th | 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Kickoff a summer of reading and writing with an interactive author visit as Phaea Crede comes by the library to discuss her newest book.
Safety and Independence in the Kitchen
Jul 28th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm
This program will be helpful for those who are recovering from surgery or injury & those who are limited in their mobility in the kitchen.
Disability Pride Month Webpage
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with our annually published booklist, other relevant booklists, upcoming events, and our vast collections.
Disabled, Not Unable: 75 Books for Children, Teens, & Adults
Check out this list of recent books for all ages about the diverse experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community.
Author Visit: Phaea Crede (Ages 6-12)
Jul 11th | 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Kickoff a summer of reading and writing with an interactive author visit as Phaea Crede comes by the library to discuss her newest book.
Safety and Independence in the Kitchen
Jul 28th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm
This program will be helpful for those who are recovering from surgery or injury & those who are limited in their mobility in the kitchen.
Disability Pride Month Webpage
Celebrate Disability Pride Month with our annually published booklist, other relevant booklists, upcoming events, and our vast collections.
Disabled, Not Unable: 75 Books for Children, Teens, & Adults
Check out this list of recent books for all ages about the diverse experiences of the disabled and neurodivergent community.
Summer Reading 2025 Activities, Reading Lists, and More!
Summer Reading for all ages takes place June 1 through August 31! Pick up a bingo card in person at any BPL location or download one online.
Concerts in the Courtyard
The 2025 Concerts in the Courtyard series will run from June to August with performances in the McKim Building Courtyard.
Popular at the BPL
Newspapers Available Online
Explore our collection of online newspapers, historical and current, local and international, specific and wide-interest.
Genealogy at the Boston Public Library
We have many resources including databases. guides, events, and newspapers to help you research the history of your family.
Job & Career Success!
We've compiled all of our resources for finding a job, developing career skills, education and certification programs, and more.
Your Library Card
Your library card is your passport to technology, literacy, fluency, community, and so much more.
Newspapers Available Online
Explore our collection of online newspapers, historical and current, local and international, specific and wide-interest.
Genealogy at the Boston Public Library
We have many resources including databases. guides, events, and newspapers to help you research the history of your family.
Job & Career Success!
We've compiled all of our resources for finding a job, developing career skills, education and certification programs, and more.
Your Library Card
Your library card is your passport to technology, literacy, fluency, community, and so much more.
Revolutionary Art
Exploring the connection between art and social change, “Revolutionary Art” continues the three-year cycle of programs leading to the 250th.
Hands-On History: Conservation Stories from the BPL
Hands-On History showcases select projects from the Boston Public Library’s Conservation Lab.
Terrains of Independence Exhibition at LMEC
Mar 03, 2025
Terrains of Independence, a free public exhibition at the Leventhal Map & Education Center (LMEC) at the Boston Public Library, is now open.
Map Center Exhibition: Becoming Boston
In the eight cases of this permanent exhibition at the Leventhal Map & Education Center, we follow the changing spatial forms of Boston.
Revolutionary Art
Exploring the connection between art and social change, “Revolutionary Art” continues the three-year cycle of programs leading to the 250th.
Hands-On History: Conservation Stories from the BPL
Hands-On History showcases select projects from the Boston Public Library’s Conservation Lab.
Terrains of Independence Exhibition at LMEC
Mar 03, 2025
Terrains of Independence, a free public exhibition at the Leventhal Map & Education Center (LMEC) at the Boston Public Library, is now open.
Map Center Exhibition: Becoming Boston
In the eight cases of this permanent exhibition at the Leventhal Map & Education Center, we follow the changing spatial forms of Boston.
Get a Boston Public Library Card Today
Your library card is your passport to technology, literacy, fluency, community, and so much more.
SkillMill
SkillMill offers maintenance & skilled trades training courses online in HVAC, plumbing, solar, and electrical and appliance repair.
LOTE4Kids App
Kids can enjoy thousands of picture books in more than 70+ languages, including sign language, with English translations.
LawDepot
LawDepot allows you to create your own personalized legal documents specific to your state/province and personal situation.
LinkedIn Learning
Take business, tech, and creative courses online, taught by recognized industry experts.
SkillMill
SkillMill offers maintenance & skilled trades training courses online in HVAC, plumbing, solar, and electrical and appliance repair.
LOTE4Kids App
Kids can enjoy thousands of picture books in more than 70+ languages, including sign language, with English translations.
LawDepot
LawDepot allows you to create your own personalized legal documents specific to your state/province and personal situation.
LinkedIn Learning
Take business, tech, and creative courses online, taught by recognized industry experts.
Allan Rohan Crite Collection
Allan Rohan Crite Collection
Crane Museum of Papermaking
Crane Museum of Papermaking
Dartmouth St. and Boylston St. sides, construction of the McKim Building
BPL McKim Building Construction Photos
Two leaves from the Beauvais Missal
Medieval and Early Renaissance Manuscripts
In memory of Mrs. Phebe Parker
American Revolution Gravestone Rubbings
WHDH Collection
WHDH Local News from the 1960s
Shopping for Dukes on the Marriage Mart: 17 Regency Romances
Regency Romance has captivated the attention of romance readers for almost a century.
Love with a Splash: 15 Magical Merfolk Romances
Here, you'll find an assortment of books ranging from Murderous Mermaids to Sapphic Selkies, Seductive Sirens to Mysterious Mermen...
Boston Art & Architecture
Check out a book to find related walking tours, histories, and buildings that built Boston's history and beauty!
Shopping for Dukes on the Marriage Mart: 17 Regency Romances
Regency Romance has captivated the attention of romance readers for almost a century.
Love with a Splash: 15 Magical Merfolk Romances
Here, you'll find an assortment of books ranging from Murderous Mermaids to Sapphic Selkies, Seductive Sirens to Mysterious Mermen...
Boston Art & Architecture
Check out a book to find related walking tours, histories, and buildings that built Boston's history and beauty!
Blog Posts
Genealogy: Using Historic Immigration Records
This blog post provides an overview of what kinds of immigration records are available for family history research and where to find them.
Libby by OverDrive
eBooks, audiobooks, & magazines available for download to your computer or mobile device. To read on your tablet or phone use the Libby app.
hoopla
Movies, TV shows, music, eBooks, and comics for online streaming or download to mobile devices, with no waiting lists. 7 items per month.
biblio+
With biblio+, library card holders have unlimited access to an ad-free catalog of movies, TV shows, and documentaries on many devices.
Kanopy
Kanopy includes acclaimed movies and documentaries on-demand from award-winning filmmakers. Each month BPL patrons receive 18 tickets.
Libby by OverDrive
eBooks, audiobooks, & magazines available for download to your computer or mobile device. To read on your tablet or phone use the Libby app.
hoopla
Movies, TV shows, music, eBooks, and comics for online streaming or download to mobile devices, with no waiting lists. 7 items per month.
biblio+
With biblio+, library card holders have unlimited access to an ad-free catalog of movies, TV shows, and documentaries on many devices.
Kanopy
Kanopy includes acclaimed movies and documentaries on-demand from award-winning filmmakers. Each month BPL patrons receive 18 tickets.
For Kids
Find content for kids of all ages. The Boston Public Library has many resources, events, and much much more.
Kids Carousal
Join a Story Time!
Check out our upcoming Story Times for your little ones on the events calendar!
Online Resources for Kids
Discover our online resources for kids. We have encyclopedic resources, resources for reading and for language learning. Learn more here.
Boston Reads Comics: Featuring Svetlana Chmakova & Awkward!
Jul 26th | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
This summer, join us for a celebration of reading in words and pictures with bestselling MA kids graphic novel author Svetlana Chmakova!
Join a Story Time!
Check out our upcoming Story Times for your little ones on the events calendar!
Online Resources for Kids
Discover our online resources for kids. We have encyclopedic resources, resources for reading and for language learning. Learn more here.
Boston Reads Comics: Featuring Svetlana Chmakova & Awkward!
Jul 26th | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
This summer, join us for a celebration of reading in words and pictures with bestselling MA kids graphic novel author Svetlana Chmakova!
For Teens
Find content for teens of all ages. The Public Library has many resources, events and much much more.
Teens Carousal
Browse Boston Public Library's New Zine Collection
Come check out our new collection of more than 945 zines (300+ unique titles)! A zine is a small, independently-produced publication.
Comics Plus: Teen Library
Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga — without holds, wait lists, or monthly limits.
Massachusetts Driver’s License Practice Tests
Access car, motorcycle, and CDL practice tests and handbooks, presented in partnership with driving-tests.org.
Browse Boston Public Library's New Zine Collection
Come check out our new collection of more than 945 zines (300+ unique titles)! A zine is a small, independently-produced publication.
Comics Plus: Teen Library
Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga — without holds, wait lists, or monthly limits.
Massachusetts Driver’s License Practice Tests
Access car, motorcycle, and CDL practice tests and handbooks, presented in partnership with driving-tests.org.
Business & Career Success
BPL offers many resources and events for job seekers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, makers, and more.
Business & Career Success Carousal
The Business of Art: Kristen Odle-Devine
Jul 18th | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
"The Business of Art" is a speaker series dedicated to empowering creatives in the arts and trades.
Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center Alcoves
Patrons and groups of up to 6 can book a KBLIC Alcove for work or other tasks which may not be accomplished in other areas of the library.
The Business of Art: Kristen Odle-Devine
Jul 18th | 3:00pm - 4:30pm
"The Business of Art" is a speaker series dedicated to empowering creatives in the arts and trades.
Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center Alcoves
Patrons and groups of up to 6 can book a KBLIC Alcove for work or other tasks which may not be accomplished in other areas of the library.
Community Learning
The Community Learning Center can help with citizenship, immigration, English classes, adult education, technology, job success, and more.
Business & Career Success Carousal
SkillMill
SkillMill offers maintenance & skilled trades training courses online in HVAC, plumbing, solar, and electrical and appliance repair.
Community History
We help Boston history become more inclusive by offering support for anyone who wants to document, share, and save their stories.
SkillMill
SkillMill offers maintenance & skilled trades training courses online in HVAC, plumbing, solar, and electrical and appliance repair.
Community History
We help Boston history become more inclusive by offering support for anyone who wants to document, share, and save their stories.
Research
Research Services staff can assist you with finding collections for your use, whether for the casual learner, for formal education support, or for scholarly research.
Research Carousal
Researching Black History at the BPL
This is a BPL staff guide on researching Black history in the U.S. at the BPL and beyond.
Researching at the Boston Public Library
This guide can help you get started researching at the Boston Public Library.
Researching Black History at the BPL
This is a BPL staff guide on researching Black history in the U.S. at the BPL and beyond.
Researching at the Boston Public Library
This guide can help you get started researching at the Boston Public Library.
Special Collections
The Special Collections Department facilitates discovery and fosters public engagement with rare, distinctive, and culturally significant materials held by Boston Public Library.
Special Collections Carousal
Apply for a Research Fellowship in BPL's Special Collections
The Boston Public Library is proud to announce two new research fellowships to support the use of special collections.
Community Cookbook Collection
The BPL's growing Community Cookbook Collection documents the culinary history of New England communities.
Apply for a Research Fellowship in BPL's Special Collections
The Boston Public Library is proud to announce two new research fellowships to support the use of special collections.
Community Cookbook Collection
The BPL's growing Community Cookbook Collection documents the culinary history of New England communities.
Researching Your House
Resources for researching questions such as how old your house is, who the architect was, how to find plans of your house, and more.
Boston's Annexed Towns and Some Neighborhood Resources
Boston is a city of neighborhoods, an amalgamation of towns that were annexed in the 19th and early 20th century.
Getting Started with Oral History
Find tips and tools to help you plan and implement an oral history project in this research guide.
Researching Your House
Resources for researching questions such as how old your house is, who the architect was, how to find plans of your house, and more.
Boston's Annexed Towns and Some Neighborhood Resources
Boston is a city of neighborhoods, an amalgamation of towns that were annexed in the 19th and early 20th century.
Getting Started with Oral History
Find tips and tools to help you plan and implement an oral history project in this research guide.
Departments at the BPL
Kids
Kids
Get homework help assistance in multiple languages at over half of our locations and online, join the Future Readers Club, and more!
Teens
Teens
We have events, online resources, spaces across our BPL locations, and more specifically for teens.
Community Learning Center
Community Learning Center
The Community Learning Center can help with citizenship, immigration, English classes, adult education, technology, job success, and more.
Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center (KBLIC)
Kirstein Business Library & Innovation Center (KBLIC)
KBLIC invites media creators, innovators, job seekers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, coders, and makers to its space.
Reader Services
Reader Services
Our Reader Services team is knowledgeable about new books, trends in publishing, and helping readers find what they should read.
Research Services
Research Services
Research Services staff can assist you with finding collections for your use, for formal education support, scholarly research, and more.
Leventhal Map & Education Center
Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center
The Map Center uses maps, geography, and history to explore the connections between places and people in Boston, New England, and beyond.
Special Collections
Special Collections
The Special Collections Department fosters public engagement with rare, distinctive, and culturally significant materials held by BPL.
Special Events
Special Events
The Special Events staff looks forward to helping you plan your event. Contact us for more info, date availability, or to arrange a visit.
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