Featured
September is Library Card Sign-up Month
Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month by signing up for a physical library card in-person at a BPL location or for an eCard online!
Latino Literature
Poetry, short fiction, novels, and more than 450 plays by U.S. writers of Latino heritage, including previously unpublished & rare materials
British Literary Manuscripts Online (1120-1900)
Reproductions of manuscripts, letters, and diaries, handwritten drafts of poems, plays, novels, and other literary works.
American Music
A music history database that highlights social & political songs by & about American indigenous, miners, immigrants, slaves, children...
Gale OneFile: War and Terrorism
Gain insight into conflicts and their causes, impact, and perception on a global scale.
WHDH Local News from the 1960s
BPL McKim Building Construction Photos
Charlestown Newspapers,1851-1920
Medieval and Early Renaissance Manuscripts
Photographs of New Bedford, 1964-1965
American Revolution Gravestone Rubbings
Apples!
Fall in New England is the perfect time for fresh apples. Read about the fruit and cook something with them after a day of apple picking.
Middle Grade Titles for National Recovery Month
As the protagonists in these stories show, substance abuse affects more than just the individual. But help and healing is possible.
Read with Pride: Bi+ Awareness Week 2023
Check out these fiction recommendations that all feature bi+ main characters – yes, even the dual-POV ones!
Blog Posts
National Voter Registration Day 2023
Happy National Voter Registration Day! NVRD is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy and promoting voter engagement.
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. 10 items per month.
Kanopy
Kanopy includes acclaimed movies and documentaries on-demand from award-winning filmmakers. Borrow up to 6 items per calendar month.
Flipster Digital Magazines
Explore, download, and read current magazine issues on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
New Titles
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!
Literacy
Your BPL card opens doors for kids to learn to love reading. Children from birth to kindergarten can join the Future Readers Club.
Homework Assistance Program
Homework help for kids is now available in multiple languages at over half of our locations and online.
For Teens
Find content for teens of all ages. The Public Library has many resources, events and much much more.
Teens Carousal
Safe Place at the Boston Public Library
Safe Place quickly connects youth ages 12-17 to needed help of safety and shelter through our partnership with Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
Massachusetts Driver’s License Practice Tests
Access car, motorcycle, and CDL practice tests and handbooks, presented in partnership with driving-tests.org.
ComicsPlus: Teen Library
Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga — without holds, wait lists, or monthly limits.
Business & Career Success
BPL offers many resources and events for job seekers, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, investors, makers, and more.
Business & Career Success Carousal
Workforce Development Online Resources
Find video courses, employment opportunities, funding opportunities, career guides, test prep materials, demographics reports, and more.
Business Online Resources
Explore our many business online resources including databases, newspapers, periodical indexes, and directories.
Community Learning
The Community Learning Center can help with citizenship, immigration, English classes, adult education, technology, job success, and more.
Business & Career Success Carousal
Excel Adult High School: Earn a High School Diploma
Earn an accredited high school diploma with our free, self-paced, 100% online, education program.
Book a Job Help Appointment
Schedule your resume review or career counseling session with us today!
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 at the Boston Public Library
This guide can help you get started researching at the Boston Public Library.
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.
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
Art & Architecture
Explore the Central Library's gorgeous architecture through our Art & Architecture pages — or in person on a tour!
Archives
The Archives Department manages, describes, and makes accessible archival collections within the BPL Special Collections department.
Getting Started with Oral History
Find tips and tools to help you plan and implement an oral history project in this research guide.
Law and Legal Help
This guide highlights resources for finding answers to basic legal questions.
Writing Fiction: An Introductory Guide
Check out this guide to the craft and business of writing fiction.
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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