The Boston Public Library (BPL) and its 25 neighborhood branches have all the books you could ask for. But the word ‘library’ tends to bring a certain picture to mind: books, computers, and rows of novels and history books. However, the BPL has so much more to offer than that.
The Hands-On Experience
Your BPL card gets you more than books. You can borrow gear for outdoor activities, home DIY projects, or trying out a brand-new hobby! Here are a few favorites:
Telescope Bag Kit: Ready for some stargazing? Grab this kit and take in the night sky from your own backyard.
Bird Watching Kit: Comes with binoculars and local field guides, so you can spot (and identify!) the birds of Massachusetts.
Fishing Poles: Borrow a pole and cast a line at a nearby pond, lake, or river.
Sewing Machines: Perfect for quick mending jobs or that craft project you’ve been meaning to start.
Ukuleles: Always wanted to learn an instrument? Pick one up at Adams Street or Honan-Allston and start strumming.
Kill a Watt Electricity Monitors and Handheld Thermal Imagers: Test home efficiency, hunt down drafts, and find ways to reduce your utility bills.
To reserve these items or learn more, check out our Library of Things!
Culture and Entertainment Access
Museum and Park Passes: Explore Boston on a budget. Your card can get you discounts at many local museums, parks, and more, including:
- The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- New England Aquarium
- Museum of Science
- Harvard Museums of Science and Culture
- And more!
Check what's available and reserve a museum pass.
Streaming: Skip the subscription fees. Your card gives you access to various streaming services, including:
- Kanopy: Free access to stream indie films, Criterion Collection titles, and documentaries.
- Biblio+: Unlimited access to an ad-free catalog of movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
- Borrowable Hardware: Portable Blu-ray disc/DVD players for movie nights anywhere. Reserve one from our Library of Things. Then check out a DVD from the BPL's collection to go with it!
Browse our streaming service options.
Community Experiences
The BPL also has plenty of interactive spaces and neighborhood programs cardholders can participate in. Here are a few to check out:
Seed Libraries: Want to start your own garden? Pick up a selection of seeds at any participating branch, while supplies last. View the latest participating locations.
3D Printing Equipment: Got an idea you want to bring to life? Head to the Central Library's KBLIC to use 3D printers. Review our 3D printing guidelines and submit a printing request.
Oral History Backpacks: Want to capture the stories of your family or neighborhood? These backpacks come with the tools and guidance you need to build and record an oral history project from scratch. Check out an oral history backpack.
Any Massachusetts resident can sign up for a BPL card and enjoy all these resources and more! Stop by the circulation desk at any BPL location to get a physical card, or sign up for an eCard to start using electronic resources right away.
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