Using Spaces and Facilities FAQs

  • General Questions

    Thank you for observing these guidelines to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors:

    • Please reschedule your visit to the BPL if you have any symptoms of illness, or if you have received a positive COVID-19 test result in the past 10 days.
    • Although it is not required, please consider wearing a face covering while inside BPL buildings.
    • You do not need to show proof of vaccination to enter BPL buildings or use BPL services.
    • Food and drink consumption is limited while in the library. Posted signage lists what is permitted.

    Food & Drink at the Central Library

    You may have a non-alcoholic covered beverage in:

    • Boylston Street building
    • Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center (excluding The Exchange and the Innolab)
    • McKim Courtyard

    You may have food in:

    • DeFerrari Hall
    • Map Room Tea Lounge (purchased onsite)
    • McKim Courtyard
    • Newsfeed Café (purchased onsite)

    Kids & teens may have snacks in:

    • Children’s Library
    • Teen Central

    Branch Libraries

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

    Some, but not all, branch locations of the BPL offer off-street parking. Consult our list of locations for more information about off-street parking.

    Unfortunately, the Central Library in Copley Square does not provide off-street parking. There are several garages in walking distance, and metered street parking, though often occupied, is available throughout the Back Bay. View the car, bicycle and motorcycle parking nearest the Central Library. We recommend taking the MBTA to the Central Library when convenient.

    No. Smoking, chewing, and other tobacco use is prohibited in all library facilities. Without exception, anyone caught smoking will be asked to leave the premises. Smoking is permitted outside of the building (at least 20 feet from library entrance).

    Informal photography is allowed so long as it does not disturb others using the library. Tripods are not allowed, nor is obstructing stairways or other pathways.

    Formal photography is not allowed when the library is open. The Central Library in Copley Square is available for private rental, including for filming and formal photography. For more information, see our event rates or contact events@bpl.org.

    Yes.

    We have access and services for patrons with mobility disabilities/wheelchair users, services for patrons with visual disabilities, services for deaf patrons and patrons who are hard of hearing. Learn more details about our services for users with disabilities.

    In addition, the Children’s Library at the Central Library in Copley Square offers a sensory wall.

    To help maintain a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for all Library patrons and staff, the following behavioral guidelines for service animals are to be observed:

    • Service animals must be in physical proximity with their handler and under handler control at all times.
    • Service animals may not be left unattended by their handler at any time.
    • Service animals must be on a leash or harness at all times unless the use of a leash or harness interferes with the animal's effective performance of its designated task(s). If the animal cannot be leashed or harnessed, it must be under the handler's control via voice, signals, or other effective means at all times.
    • Service animals must be housebroken and handlers must ensure that they are not creating a nuisance to other patrons.
    • If the service animal becomes unruly (barking, growling, etc.), the handler must first be given an opportunity to correct the animal’s behavior. If the animal remains disruptive, the handler may be asked to leave with the animal, but may be given the opportunity to return without the animal.

    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

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

    The Central Library offers many services for classes, including obtaining library cards, library orientations, research support, Art & Architecture tours, and other activities. For grades K-6, please contact the Children's Library. For grades 6-12 please contact Teen Central. For college or adult groups, please contact ask@bpl.org to schedule a research visit or tours@bpl.org to schedule an Art & Architecture tour (guided or self-guided).

    We are happy to collaborate to design a visit that best serves your group and learning objectives!

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

    For visits to the Central Library, please use the following contact information:

    • For grades K-6, please contact the Children's Library.
    • For grades 6-12, please contact Teen Central.
    • For college or adult groups, please contact ask@bpl.org to schedule a research visit or tours@bpl.org to schedule an Art & Architecture tour (guided or self-guided).

    The Boston Public Library buildings are free and open to all. However, to avoid overcrowding our spaces and to foster an enjoyable experience for group visits and all of our patrons, we strongly encourage groups to register in advance.

    Groups visiting the Central Library's Children's Library or Teen Central must register in advance with those departments. Groups who would like an Art & Architecture tour of the Central Library must also register in advance.

    To schedule a class visit with the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center, please review their K-12 education page and contact them with the information provided.

    Yes!  Have your students fill out a library card application and send it to the library one week before your scheduled visit. As long as your students live or work in Massachusetts, they can get a BPL library card. It not only lets you borrow books, music, magazines, and movies from our buildings, it also lets you use our electronic resources.

    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.

    An initial visit, including a tour, library card distribution, and a chance for the children to choose books to take home with them takes at least forty minutes for a group of twenty five children. If you’ve arranged to have book talks or a story as well, you should add in an additional fifteen minutes.

    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 group of students with you to get library cards. We recommend giving the forms to the students about two weeks before the scheduled visit and reviewing them for errors. Then, allow us about a week to create the library cards before your visit. If you bring applications on the day of the visit, we can’t guarantee that there will be sufficient staff available to get it all done.

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

    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.