Boston Public Library
Requesting Material

BPL Catalogs


1. How to place a hold request
2. How to have research material pulled and held for you at the Central Library
3. How to have periodicals pulled and held for you at the Central Library

1. How to place a hold request on material that may be taken home
To place a hold on circulating/take home material owned by the Boston Public Library, you must:
1) be a Massachusetts resident,
2) have a valid Metro Boston Library Network library card and,
3) have a PIN for your library card:

Use our catalog to place the hold on circulating material. (Note: Research material may not be requested) Search for the book you want. When the title is on the screen, click "Request Title" at the end of the description and follow the instructions.
     If you do not already have a PIN, information is provided on obtaining one.
     If you wish, you may also simply call the Library (617-536-5400), and we will place the reserve for you.
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Still have questions? The Library also provides information over the telephone 617-536-5400, and electronically.

2. How to have research material pulled and held for you at the Central Library

Research collections may only be used in the library. You may not take this material home, but you may use the materials in this collection during any of the hours we are open:
Monday - Thursday, 9am - 9pm
Friday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Sunday (October - May), 1-5pm
EXCEPTION TO HOURS AVAILABLE: The Rare Books and Manuscripts, Print, Jordan, Special Collections and Kirstein Business Library materials are not available nights and weeks, they are available Monday - Friday from 9am until 5pm.

Many research materials (pre-1974) cannot be searched electronically, but we will gladly assist you in locating them.

Some of our older materials are stored off-site. To find out about availability of materials and to have them set aside for you, call the Book Delivery Desk (617-536-5400, extension 2244). The Book Delivery Desk staff will need the title, author and call number of the material. They will be able to tell you if the titles you need are stored off-site, and when they can be ready for you here in Copley Square. (If you have difficulty locating the call number, etc., staff can assist over the telephone 617-536-5400, and electronically.) The Book Delivery Desk staff will pull up to three items.

If you call ahead and have materials set aside for you, you can both save time and insure materials will be available when you arrive.

NOTE: Research material that may be pulled for you will have the location noted in the electronic catalog as "Copley - Book Delivery". For material with a department noted, you need to check with that department. They are often quickly available, but you can call ahead to the department to check the status.

To use the Copley - Book Delivery materials, pick them up at the Book Delivery Desk on the second floor of the McKim Building (the older, original building). You will need to show your Boston Public Library card in order to use these materials.

If you do not have a library card, please bring identification and you may obtain a free card at the Book Delivery Desk. Massachusetts residents will receive a full-service card, visitors from other states and countries will receive a courtesy card. Courtesy cards permit patrons to use materials within the library. All cards are free.

          Go back to list of options

Still have questions? The Library also provides information over the telephone 617-536-5400, and electronically.

3. How to have periodicals pulled and held so they are ready for you at the Central Library
Periodicals held in our research collections may only be used in the library. You may use the materials in this collection during any of the hours we are open:
Monday - Thursday, 9am - 9pm
Friday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm
Sunday (October - May), 1-5pm
Some of our older materials are stored off-site. To find out about availability of materials and to have them set aside for you, call the Book Delivery Desk (617-536-5400, extension 2244). The Book Delivery Desk staff will need the title, dates and call number of the material. They will be able to tell you if the dates you need are stored off-site, and when they can be ready for you here in Copley Square. (If you have difficulty locating the call number, etc., staff can assist over the telephone 617-536-5400, and electronically.)

If you call ahead and have materials set aside for you, you can both save time and insure materials will be available when you arrive.

When you arrive to use the materials, go to the Book Delivery Desk on the second floor of the McKim Building (the older building). You will need to show your Boston Public Library card in order to use these materials.

If you do not have a library card, please bring identification and you may obtain a free card at the Book Delivery Desk. Massachusetts residents will receive a full-service card, visitors from other states and countries will receive a courtesy card. Courtesy cards permit patrons to use materials within the library. All cards are free.

NOTE: To use periodicals from the last twelve months, you do not need to call ahead. These are more quickly retrieved at the Periodicals Counter in the McKim Building. However, in most cases, you will need the call number to request the material. If you have any questions on what you need or where to retrieve it, please call ahead.

Many of the branches of the Boston Public Library maintain collections (up to a hundred titles) of magazines. They usually keep these for two years and many may be checked out. These are not currently listed in our electronic access catalogs and databases, you will need to check with staff.

          Go back to list of options

Still have questions? The Library also provides information over the telephone 617-536-5400, and electronically.