Borrowing | Frequently Asked Questions

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All locations will be closed on Sunday, April 21 in observance of Easter.

Starting Saturday, April 20, the Lower Mills branch will be closed through mid-summer.

On Tuesday, April 23 from 7 to 8 a.m. the BPL website will be down for scheduled maintenance. Users will still be able to access the catalog at bpl.bibliocommons.com during this time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Borrowing FAQs

General Questions

WiFi Hotspot

Fines and Fees

Holds

Returns and Renewals

Museum Passes

Borrowing from Other Libraries

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General Questions

Why doesn't the BPL mobile catalog app work anymore? And how can I continue to use the library on my mobile device? , collapsed

What is a Homebound Card? , collapsed

Do You Offer Home or Mobile Delivery? , collapsed

How do I access eBooks from the statewide eBook lending program? , collapsed

How do I borrow a Read Along book and what comes with it? , collapsed

What if I want to use my Arts book for more than one day? , collapsed

How will I know if my Arts collection book is ready for pick up? , collapsed

What does "additional processing" mean? , collapsed

How long will I have to wait for my Arts book? , collapsed

What do I do if I get an error message while trying to place my hold on an Arts collection item? , collapsed

How do I request a book from the Arts collection? , collapsed

What is the Lucky Day collection? , collapsed

How can I view items I have checked out and/or fines on my account? , collapsed

Can you tell me what items are out or overdue on the card of my child? , collapsed

Can I borrow items marked "in-library use only"? , collapsed

Can I check out OverDrive e-books and audiobooks? , collapsed

How do I get personalized reading recommendations? , collapsed

If I forget my library card can I still check out materials? , collapsed

Can I use my BPL card at any libraries outside of Boston? , collapsed

How many items can I have checked out at once ? , collapsed

I lost or damaged an item checked out to me. What do I do? , collapsed

How long can I keep library materials? , collapsed

WiFi Hotspot

Where can I borrow a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

What is the coverage area of the of the WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

Can I place a hold on a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

Who can borrow a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

How do I use a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

What comes in a WiFi hotspot kit? , collapsed

Where can I get more information about the hotspot device? , collapsed

Are there any restrictions on data or internet use with the WiFi hotspots? , collapsed

Can I use the WiFi hotspot outside of the U.S.? , collapsed

How many devices can be connected to a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

What if I lose or damage the hotspot? , collapsed

Can I renew a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

For how long can I borrow a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

How much does it cost to borrow a WiFi hotspot? , collapsed

Fines and Fees

How much are overdue fines? , collapsed

How do I pay fines and fees? , collapsed

What is the fine for an overdue museum pass? , collapsed

How does the library contact me with information about my account? , collapsed

Holds

How do I request a hold? , collapsed

What is a hold? , collapsed

Where do I pick up my holds? , collapsed

Can I change the location where I pick up a hold? , collapsed

How long do I have to pick up my hold? , collapsed

How many holds may I have at one time? , collapsed

How will I know when my hold is ready? , collapsed

Can I pause a hold? , collapsed

I tried to place a hold and it didn't work. Why not? , collapsed

How does the library contact me with information about my account? , collapsed

Last week I requested three books for my son. We used his card, but I stopped by today and all I have is my card. Can I pick up his books? , collapsed

If I forget my library card, can I still pick up my reserved book? , collapsed

Can my spouse/friend/neighbor/family member pick up my reserve materials for me? , collapsed

If I upgrade my eCard, can I transfer all my holds and lists to my new library card? , collapsed

Returns and Renewals

How do I renew my materials? , collapsed

Why won't my loan renew? , collapsed

I returned an item and it is still listed as borrowed on my account. What should I do? , collapsed

Where can I return library materials? , collapsed

Museum Passes

How do I reserve a museum pass? , collapsed

What museum passes does the BPL offer? , collapsed

Do I need to return my museum pass? , collapsed

What is the fine for an overdue museum pass? , collapsed

How often can I reserve museum passes? , collapsed

When can I pick up my museum passes? , collapsed

Can I reserve museum passes with an eCard? , collapsed

Borrowing from Other Libraries

How do I get a title that the BPL doesn’t own? , collapsed

How do I submit an interlibrary loan request? , collapsed

What can I request through interlibrary loan? , collapsed

How long will my interlibrary loan take to arrive? , collapsed

How can I check on the status of my interlibrary loan? , collapsed

How will I be notified when my interlibrary loan arrives? , collapsed

How long can I keep my interlibrary loan? , collapsed