Using Spaces and Facilities FAQs

  • General Questions

    Central Library

    Covered, non-alcoholic beverages are allowed throughout the building. You may have food in the McKim Building courtyard and the Boylston Street Building Welcome Center (orange metal tables adjacent to the entrance). Kids and teens may have snacks in the Children’s Library and Teen Central. Food is available for purchase at the Newsfeed Café and the Map Room Tea Lounge.

    Branch Libraries

    Food is not allowed at the branches except as part of a larger event.

    No. Smoking, chewing, vaping, and other tobacco or marijuana use is prohibited in all library facilities. This includes our Courtyard and other outdoor spaces.

    The Boston Public Library strives to make our resources accessible to all users through a variety of collections, services, and specialized equipment. See our Accessibility page for more information.

    If you have any questions or suggestions related to accessibility at the Boston Public Library, please email ask@bpl.org.

    No, to help maintain a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for all Library patrons and staff, the Library does not allow pets or emotional support animals. Qualified service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are welcome. A qualified service animal is defined as a dog (any breed) or a miniature horse that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.

    While at the Library:

    • Service animals must be under the immediate control of their handlers at all times.
    • Service animals which are not housebroken, bark excessively, are uncontrolled, or are otherwise disruptive will be required to leave the premises.

    Creating art using dry or digital media is welcome. Wet media, including ink and all types of paint, is not allowed at the BPL. Additionally, you may not set up easels or drop cloths, nor may you obstruct stairways, doorways, or other pathways. If you are coming to the Central library with a class or group larger than 5 people, you must book your visit at least one month in advance by emailing tours@bpl.org.

  • Tours and Class Visits

    If you are hoping to visit one of our branches please contact the specific branch directly.

    The Central Library offers a variety of services for classes and group visits; please use the following contact information:

    Groups larger than 20 people must register in advance. Groups smaller than 20 may visit without advance notice, however library staff will not be able to provide additional support or special services.

    To schedule a class visit with the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center, see the Education page of their website and contact them directly.

    Contacting the children’s librarian at the location you’re visiting is the best way to ensure your class will receive the materials they need on the day of your visit. Getting in touch ahead of time allows children’s librarians to request books from other library branches if needed, especially if your class is studying a seasonal or topical subject.  Two weeks’ notice will improve the chances of the material arriving in time.

    Members of your group who are residents of Massachusetts can get a BPL library card during your visit, provided that completed application forms are provided to the library at least one week before your visit. If you bring applications on the day of the visit, we can’t guarantee that staff will be available to provide cards.

    Library card application forms can be found below:

    See our Central Library Tours page for more information.

  • Meeting Rooms

    Use of study rooms at the Central Library must adhere to the procedures found on our meeting spaces page. Use of Study Rooms in the Branches are subject to the rules set forth by the individual branch locations.

    Many of our locations feature meeting and community rooms that are available without charge for use that fulfills our meeting room policy. Rental of our spaces for private events is also available and subject to distinct policies.

    To book a meeting room at the Central Library in Copley Square, contact the Special Events Office  at 617.859.2212 or events@bpl.org.

    To book a meeting room at a branch location, check to see if the space is suitable for your needs, then complete the meeting room request form and bring it to the desk at that location, or submit it online.

  • Private Events and Weddings

    The Guastavino Room, Map Room Tea Lounge, and Courtyard Tea Room are available for private rental during library hours, along with various conference rooms.

    All other locations are available after the library has closed. For events held on a weekend, doors open to guests at 6:30 p.m. or later.

    Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 to determine available dates and start times for your event.

    Yes. The Catered Affair is our in-house caterer and is available to assist you not only in planning the ideal menu but in creating your perfect event. We will provide you with recommendations for other vendors (florists, bands, etc.) who have done superior work for our past clients.

    Formal photo shoots require a reservation. If you would like to schedule a formal photo shoot at the Central Library in Copley Square, please contact our Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 to determine the available dates, start times, and fee for your session. Unfortunately we cannot allow formal photography shoots during library hours. Look through our available spaces for your photo shoot.

    Yes, if your fundraiser meets the following conditions:

    • We approve the event
    • The event is coordinated and paid for by a nonprofit organization
    • Tickets are not sold at the door
    • The event does not include any gambling

    Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 to begin planning your wedding or private event. You will receive a full proposal outlining all charges (site fees, food and beverage, staffing, rentals, etc.) based on the details you provide.

    Please note the BPL does not honor a date ‘hold’ system. All dates are considered open until a signed contract and deposit have been received.

    You can review pricing, photos, policies, and procedures on our Private Events page.

    Absolutely. Rehearsals occur during library hours and will be scheduled the day before the event and coordinated by a member of The Catered Affair.

    Rehearsals are not an available option when booking a 1-hour wedding ceremony.

    Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 for more details. See our available spaces here.

    Basic security for the building is included in all venue fees. Any additional security, whether required by the library or the client, is at the expense of the client. Written permission from the library must be obtained prior to contracting additional security services for an event and contact between the contracted security vendor and library security supervisor will be required. Contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 for additional information.

    Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 for specific questions regarding your décor. Open flame of any kind (including birthday candles, and candles during wedding ceremonies), balloons, greens that contain pitch, fog and bubble machines are not permitted in the library or Courtyard. All items must be free standing and not affixed to the building in any way.

    Additional décor is not permitted when booking a 1-hour wedding ceremony.

    Bates Hall currently offers seating for up to 220 guests. For an additional fee, the original chairs can be removed to accommodate up to 330 guests with rental chairs.

    The tables and lamps in Bates Hall are stationary. The Events Staff is happy to offer suggestions on how each of the tables can be utilized for your specific event.

    The library does not have designated parking; however there are a number of parking garages in close proximity to the building. Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 for more details.

    Venue fees may be found in the Private Event Rental page. Venue fees include use of the space and library staffing needed to operate the building for your event (security, custodial, electrician and HVAC support). Your custom proposal will provide the exact cost based on the specifics of your event.

    We do not give permission to individuals looking to conduct formal photography during library hours, and enforce a set of guidelines to ensure the safety of the library as well as our patrons. Please view the photography guidelines.

    If you would like to schedule a private photo shoot, prior approval must be obtained. Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 to determine the available dates, start time, and fee for your session. Learn more about our available spaces here.

    The library will determine the number of events to be operated simultaneously in the building, and we do not guarantee you sole use of the building except in the location(s) as contracted. We will ensure that your event is in no way disrupted by another event. On a weekend evening, you may rent the entire building to ensure your sole use at the time of your event.

    Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 for more details.

    The Courtyard is an ideal location for cocktail receptions and wedding ceremonies. It must be rented in conjunction with another space and is only available after the library has closed to the public.

    Please contact the Special Events Office at events@bpl.org or 617.859.2212 for more details.