Getting a Library Card FAQs

  • General Questions

    Can’t make it to the Boston Public Library in person? Sign up for an eCard to use our electronic resources. If you want to borrow physical materials, you can upgrade to a physical card in person.

    Apply for a physical library card at the circulation desk in any BPL location.

    Come with picture ID and proof of Massachusetts residency, which can be either a physical document or an official document available on an electronic device. A Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card satisfies both requirements.

    If you don’t have a Massachusetts driver’s license or state ID, you can bring some other form of ID that shows your picture and signature along with official mail sent to you at a Massachusetts address.

    Let us know if you have a preferred first name. Your preferred first name does not need to match your ID. An ID or bill with a deadname or legal name is still a valid form of address verification. All changes to your record require proof of ID.

    Kids ages 12 and under can get a card with the signature of a parent or guardian.

    If you are bringing a large group of people to the library to register for a card, we encourage you to print and fill out our library card application in advance before coming to the library.

    You can get a research card at the Central Library in Copley Square at either the Borrower Services Desk (Level One of the Boylston Street building) or the Delivery Desk (Level Two of the McKim building). This card is free and allows use of materials inside the library. To get this card, you need a photo ID and a document that states your current address. A driver's license or state ID should fulfill both requirements.

    If you are coming to the BPL from far away for extensive research, we encourage you to reach out to our Research Services librarians ahead of your visit to ensure the most efficient use of your time here. You can email our Research Services librarians at ask@bpl.org.

    If you're over age 12, bring a photo ID and proof of your residency in Massachusetts. A driver's license or other state ID will meet both requirements.

    If you’re 12 and under, you can get a card with the signature of a parent or guardian at any BPL location.

    Yes. You can fill out one of the forms below and bring it to the circulation desk in any BPL location, to get a library card.

    You do not need one of these forms to get a library card, but we recommend it if you will be bringing a large group with you to get library cards.

    Here is the library card application form you can print and fill out, in nine different languages:

    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.

  • Institution Cards

    You can register a library card for your corporation, business, library, or other institution at any of our locations. Complete guidelines for accessing an Institution Card are as follows:

    • Institution cards are intended for schools, businesses, daycare centers or similar organizations, that intend to take responsibility for materials borrowed to meet organizational needs. 
    • Institutional cards provide borrowing and interlibrary loan privileges but do not allow remote access to electronic resources due to vendor licensing restrictions.
    • Individual cardholder hold, checkout, and other limits also apply to Institution cards.
    • Items checked out to academic institutions are for classroom use only.
    • In the event more than one card is issued for an institution, all cards will be associated in our system. Should one or more cards become delinquent, the BPL reserves the right to block all associated cards.
    • Institution Cards expire one year after registration or renewal, with the exception of academic cards.
    • Academic cards expire at the end of the current academic year.
    • For continued use after expiration, Institution Card holders are be required to renew the agreement and update contact information every year. 

    A letter from the head of the institution, on official letterhead, is required stating the individual(s) authorized to use the card and that the institution agrees to be responsible for all materials borrowed on the card, for fines incurred, as well as for lost or damaged materials and designating a contact person to oversee the use of the card. Institution Cards are be issued upon receipt of this letter.

    If your official letterhead does not contain contact information, you will be asked to provide additional proof of address in the Commonwealth. 

    Please use the format of our example letter to draft your institution's registration request on official letterhead.

    If you have any questions, please contact Michael Colford at mcolford@bpl.org or 617-859-2389.

  • eCards

    Register for an eCard, opens a new window if you meet any of the following criteria:

    • Your primary residence is in Massachusetts.
    • You are living in Massachusetts for most of the year while attending school in-state.
    • You work for a Massachusetts employer. Learn more.
    • You own property (real estate) in Massachusetts. Learn more.

    Other Restrictions
    If you are a short-term resident staying in Massachusetts you are not eligible for an eCard. However, you can visit any of our locations and apply for a research card in-person at the Central Library in Copley Square.

    If you have any other card with the BPL, you are not eligible for an eCard (and don’t need one!)

    If you have any questions about eligibility, please email ask@bpl.org

    An eCard is a Boston Public Library card that you can sign up for online, opens a new window and which provides access to all online resources, including OverDrive and Hoopla.

    eCards are available to anyone who lives, resides part-time to attend school, owns property, or works in Massachusetts.

    eCards do not allow you to check out physical items such as museum passes, CDs, DVDs, and physical books. To check out physical items, you need a physical card.

    No. Your physical library card provides all the benefits of eCards plus access to the physical collection, including museum passes.

    Requesting and borrowing physical materials, including museum passes, requires a physical card. eCards can be upgraded to physical cards at any BPL location.

    Our mission is to serve residents of Massachusetts, but we recognize that people who own a residence in the state pay real estate taxes here. If your name is listed on the deed of a residence in Massachusetts, either as an owner or a current trustee of a residence held in trust, you likely qualify for this exception.

    If the residence you have in mind doesn't list you on the deed, but is owned by other family members, you likely do not qualify.

    Timeshare ownership does not qualify an individual for the property owner exception to residency.

    If you're still unsure whether you qualify as a property owner, email us at websupport@bpl.org.

    Our mission is to serve residents of Massachusetts, but we recognize that people who live in neighboring states may pay Massachusetts income tax because they work for an employer in Massachusetts. You are eligible for an eCard if:

    • Your primary place of work is physically in Massachusetts, OR
    • You work remotely for a Massachusetts-based employer AND are required to be physically present in Massachusetts for work on some days during the year (sometimes called "duty days")

    Remote workers who never physically work in Massachusetts are not eligible for an eCard.

    If you're still unsure whether you qualify, email us at websupport@bpl.org.

    We're unable to accept eCard registrations and renewals submitted from outside the country due to security and licensing concerns. Please submit the form when you've returned from your trip.

    Please note that many of our online resources also may not be available for use outside the United States due to vendor licensing restrictions.

    Only eligible individual users may register for eCards. Organizations may not register for eCards.

    Library cards for corporations, businesses, libraries, and other organizations must be obtained in person at any of our locations.

    Institutional cards provide borrowing and interlibrary loan privileges, but do not allow remote access to electronic resources, due to vendor licensing restrictions.

    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.

  • Eligibility

    Yes. You are eligible for either a physical library card or an eCard.

    Physical Card
    Bring a photo ID and proof of your Massachusetts address (like a piece of official mail or a lease) to any BPL location.

    eCard
    Sign up for an eCard online and start using our online resources instantly. If you'd like to borrow physical materials, you can upgrade in person at any BPL location.

    Use of our facilities is free to all. You do not need a library card to visit the BPL, and you can request a guest pass at any service desk to use our computers on a temporary basis.

    If you want to borrow from our collections, you’ll need to get a card. Many area shelters can provide official letters vouching for your eligibility for a Boston Public Library card.

    If you live, own property, or work in Massachusetts, you can get a BPL card. Students who live here while attending school are also eligible.

    In most cases, no. The only exception is if you own property in Massachusetts.

    Out-of-state visitors are always welcome to visit any of our locations, and if you’d like onsite access to our research collections, you can apply in-person at the Central Library in Copley Square for a researcher card.

    You can get a library card for your corporation, business, library, or other institution at any of our locations.

    Institutional cards provide borrowing and interlibrary loan privileges but do not allow remote access to electronic resources due to vendor licensing restrictions.

    You can learn more about applying for an institution card here.