Research at BPL

Research at BPL

Boston Public Library combines powerful research tools, expert librarian guidance, and significant special collections to offer a rich and fulfilling research experience for all. With BPL you can:

  • Learn about your own family or community history
  • Find answers to business or legal questions so that you can get to work
  • Discover historical gems from Boston and beyond
  • And much, much more

Research Databases

BPL offers over one hundred research databases and search portals. Browse here for our most popular, or view them all.

Featured Research Tools

JSTOR

Full-text articles from hundreds of scholarly journals from the mid-19th century to early 21st century covering a wide range of subjects.

CQ Researcher

CQ Researcher is noted for its in-depth, unbiased coverage of health, social trends, criminal justice, international affairs, and more.

Boston TV News Digital Library

Searchable content from WGBH, WCVB, WHDH, and Cambridge Community Television. Coverage: 1960-1999.

Gale Academic OneFile

Full-text journal & magazine articles covering the sciences, technology, medicine, social sciences, the arts, theology, literature, & more.

Guides, Lists, & Articles

Our staff regularly compile research guides and booklists on popular research topics to help you get started.

Research Guides

Points of Service

Our research team helps patrons get started, find resources, and access materials in person and online.

Points of Service

Special Collections

Our special collections range from local Boston art and photography, to medieval manuscripts, to the entirety of John Adams' personal library.

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Visit Special Collections

Researching Your African American Ancestors

The names of enslaved people in the United States were rarely recorded. This can make researching your African American ancestors hard...
A photograph of a mural painted by Gregg Bernstein and the Mayor's Mural Crew in 2004. Covering a wall of the William Monroe Trotter K-8 School in Roxbury, the mural depicts the school's namesake. The mural shows two people, one on each of the bottom corners of the mural and each beside a tree and white dove, holding up an image of William Trotter. Other motifs, such as a river, music sheet, brick building, and moon phases are also included in the mural.

Black History Boston: William Monroe Trotter

Read about William Monroe Trotter & the fight against "The Birth of a Nation" in this piece by Research Services Librarian Malana Krongelb.

Apply for a Research Fellowship in BPL's Special Collections

The Boston Public Library is proud to announce two new research fellowships to support the use of special collections.

Research FAQs

  • 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. 

  • You can get a research card at the Central Library in Copley Square at either the Borrower Services Desk (Level One of the Boylston Street building) or the Delivery Desk (Level Two of the McKim building). This card is free and allows use of materials inside the library. To get this card, you need a photo ID and a document that states your current address. A driver's license or state ID should fulfill both requirements.

    If you are coming to the BPL from far away for extensive research, we encourage you to reach out to our Research Services librarians ahead of your visit to ensure the most efficient use of your time here. You can email our Research Services librarians at ask@bpl.org.

  • Generally speaking we do not make copies for patrons but we do offer photocopiers for your use. If you have trouble using one of our copiers let us know at the nearest service desk.

    Please note: some of our materials can’t be photocopied for preservation reasons. In many such cases digital photography would be allowed but please consult with a research librarian before photographing any research materials.

  • The Boston Public Library has millions of books. Some you can take home, and some you can’t. The books you can’t take home are intended to be permanent copies and are marked “In-Library Use Only” in the catalog.

    You can request that an In-Library Use Only book serviced through the Delivery Desk be considered for loan outside the building by placing a request for it on ILLiad. If the request is approved, we will place the item on hold for you.

  • Special Collections materials are described in a variety of databases depending on format, including the online catalog, archives.bpl.org, and card catalogs. For assistance getting started searching, email specialcollections@bpl.org and staff will be happy to help you identify what you'd like to see.

  • If you find an item in the online catalog that is listed as "available by request," you can access the item in our Special Collections Reading Room by appointment. To make an appointment, click the "Request an item" button, find the specific volume you'd like to request, and choose "request this item," You'll be brought to readingroom.bpl.org, where you can create an account and choose the specific day and time you'd like to come in to see the item.

  • Anything listed as being held in "Arts" or "Special Collections" is available in our Special Collections Reading Room. You'll need to make an appointment at least two days in advance to access these items. See the Special Collections page for instructions on making an appointment.

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