Frequently Asked Questions

Online
Fill out our contact form or email us at ask@bpl.org. Our librarians will be in touch over email within twenty-four hours. Depending on your needs, we might recommend a phone call or visit when we get back to you. If your research need is complex, please indicate in the form that you would like to schedule an appointment to discuss your research needs.

Phone
We have librarians on-call to help you with research and reference from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. You can reach us at 617.536.5400.

In-Person
There is a librarian on duty at all BPL locations who can help you with research. More intensive research help is available at the Central Library in Copley Square in Bates Hall.

Book a Librarian
You can also book a 30 minute appointment with a research librarian. After you request an appointment, the Library will get back to you within 2 business days letting you know if your appointment was approved; information about joining the meeting will be sent in a separate email. Appointments must be requested at least 5 days in advance. 

For help with your device, you can contact your local library to see if you can schedule a one-on-one session or attend a class for help using our services on your device. If you need technical support for your device, we can help you find where to get it.

To see a list of our upcoming technology classes on particular devices and software, check our calendar for details.

This website can be translated by accessing our translate button available in the bottom right corner of every page. We can translate into the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome by email at ask@bpl.org and 617.536.5400. See our complete list of library offices that can be contacted directly.

Visit the New and Novel Desk at the Central Library, check our calendar for computer instruction classes, use Overdrive’s Support site, or contact Web Services at the Boston Public Library at websupport@bpl.org

OverDrive's direct email is support@overdrive.com

You can also contact OverDrive's Libby Support using these instructions.

A library card in good standing means there are no blocks on the card. A block could be in place for a number of reasons including but not limited to: an expired card, multiple overdue items, replacement cost fine(s) greater than $24.99, a trespass letter on file, more than one existing account, eCard ineligibility, or unreturned ComCat/ILL items.

You can learn how to navigate the new website by watching this short video.

https://youtu.be/YdxOZDXSg4g#action=share

Visit the New and Novel Desk at the Central Library, check our calendar for computer instruction classes, use Hoopla’s support site or contact websupport@bpl.org.

If you've discovered you've misplaced something at a recent visit to the Central Library, please call 617.859.2222 to speak to our security staff. We do collect a number of forgotten items in the library in our lost-and-found and the security guards may be able to assist you.

Yes, it is part of an intellectual pursuit which is protected by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 78, Section 7.

Online
Fill out our questionnaire about the books you like and what you’re looking for, and one of our librarians will be in touch over email.

In-Person
Reading recommendations are available in-person at the New and Novel desk in the Central Library in Copley Square, or the service desks at any of our branches.