Central Library: Research Services
NOTE: Beginning July 1, 2025, Massachusetts residents will experience significant reductions in access to statewide research databases due to the elimination of federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), following Executive Order 14238. While the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and the Massachusetts Library System (MLS) are striving to preserve key services, including support for eBooks and the Commonwealth Catalog, many valuable resources will no longer be available.
Learn more at: MBLC Maintains some Databases, Support for eBooks, and ComCat - MBLC
Washington Room, McKim Building, second floor
Research Services staff can assist you with finding collections for your use, whether for the casual learner, for formal education support, or for scholarly research. Information about the community, how to plan a vacation, or genealogical research into your family tree are all areas with which the Research Services staff can help. View this guide to help you get started researching.
For the best service, e-mail the library at ask@bpl.org in advance of your visit. This will allow the staff to prepare for your arrival, whether collections need to be retrieved from closed stacks, or online research is needed before assisting you. Have an in-depth research question you'd like help with? Book a librarian appointment.
The BPL has extensive research collections available for use within the Library, including newspapers and magazines on microfilm, and government documents. Digitized prints and documents are also available through our online repository,  Digital Commonwealth, and we have many online research guides, opens a new window to assist users remotely.
For research related to our special collections, please head over to our Special Collections page to find more detailed information on our collections and how to request items to view.
Maps, atlases, and other cartographic materials are located at the Leventhal Map & Education Center, located in the Central Library in Copley Square. Research services are available at the Center on weekdays and by special appointment.
Researching at the Library FAQ
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The Boston Public Library offers many excellent alternatives for research, language learning, workforce development, and more. Whether you're a student, educator, job seeker, or lifelong learner, there are still plenty of valuable resources available to you.
Explore some of our top recommendations:
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You can read the current edition of the Boston Globe for free with your BPL library card through the following platforms:
- PressReader – Access a full digital replica of the daily paper.
- Boston Globe Online (current edition) – Read articles from the current Boston Globe in a searchable, text-friendly format.
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As of July 1, 2025, many statewide research databases are no longer available due to a major reduction in federal funding. This change stems from Executive Order 14238, signed on March 14, 2025, which eliminates the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) — the primary federal funder of library services nationwide.
To learn more about the impact of this executive order, visit: libraries.state.ma.us/federal-funding-at-risk
Looking for alternatives?
The Boston Public Library continues to offer a wide range of databases that cover many of the same subjects. Explore Additional Research Resources in this blog post.
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In-Library Use Only Materials
You can access materials found via the online catalog marked In-Library Use Only by coming to the Delivery Desk at the Central Library in Copley Square at least thirty minutes before closing. Some materials are stored offsite and may take up to ten days to process and deliver. You can always call the Delivery Desk beforehand to make sure your item will be available when you arrive.
Other Materials
Much of our research collections, particularly those older than 1974, are not represented in our online catalog. Please consult our special collections index to find contact information for requesting access to individual collections, or get in touch with our Research Services librarians via ask@bpl.org for help or to have materials pulled for you in advance of your visit. -
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.Â
