Artists Foundation Guide to the Boston Public Library
Welcome to the Artists Foundation/Boston Public Library Guide to the Boston Public Library. This is a guide to the non-circulating research collection housed in the research wing of the main branch and to the non-circulating collection at the Kirstein Business Library. The guide is tailored to the information needs of artists working in all media and genres. The AF and the BPL are currently working on updating this guide and "growing it."
ABOUT THE ARTISTS RESOURCE CENTER AT THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (BPL)
The Artists Resource Center at the Boston Public Library is a collaborative effort between the Artists Foundation and the BPL. It is designed to be a community-driven resource that improves access to information relevant to all artists. Your feedback is vital to the success of the guide and the center. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact the Artists Foundation via this website.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BPL
Main Branch
Address: 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square
Telephone: (617) 536-5400
TY Line: (617) 536-7055
Monday - Thursday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 PM
Sunday* 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM (* Closed Sundays June - September)
Internet: http://www.bpl.org
MBTA stop: Green Line Copley station, Orange Line Back Bay station, and various bus lines
Kirstein Business Branch
Address: 20 City Hall Avenue, Boston
Telephone: (617) 523-0860
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 PM
Internet: www.bpl.org/research/kbb/kbbhome.htm
MBTA stop: Green and Orange Lines, Government Center
GETTING STARTED
Materials in the Research Library and the Kirstein Business Branch are non-circulating and can only be used in the library. They are not available for check out. The books you see on the shelves of the Research Library are primarily reference books. The majority of the collection is housed in the secret netherworlds of the library. You will need to search the catalog, find the materials you need, fill out a call slip and ask a staff member to retrieve the items for you. Even though materials can't be checked out, you still need to present a library card to use them.
BUT WAIT...
Q: "I don't have a library card!"
A: Not to worry. You are eligible for a full service card if you are a resident of Massachusetts or a courtesy card if you live out of state. Fill out an application form on the first floor of the Johnson Building at the Main Branch (aka the General Library). Don't forget to bring a picture ID.
Q: "Call slip? What's a call slip??"
A: A call slip is a form you fill out to let staff know what items you need after searching the on-line catalog. Computer terminals that access the on-line catalog are available in each department as well as in the Johnson Building. However, items added to the collection previous to 1974 are not in the on-line catalog. They are in the microfiche catalog in the Catalog Information area on the second floor.
Q: "Help-computers scare me."
A: Library staff to the rescue. The first thing you should do when you go to the BPL is talk to the librarians. They are there to help you find information and make the library an accessible resource. The library staff can help you with the on-line catalog, and they know the reference sources inside and out.
Q: "Where do I go for magazines and journals?"
A: The periodicals collection is housed on the second floor of the Johnson Building (AKA the General Library). Periodicals are listed in the Boston Library Consortium's (BLC) Union List of Periodicals which is accessible through the on-line catalog. Because the BPL subscribes to so many periodicals, you must request specific issues at the periodicals desk.
Q: "So where is all this great information for artists?"
A: All over the library, not just in the Fine Arts department. The Research Library is divided into several departments: Social Sciences, Humanities, Music and Fine Arts, Science and Government Documents. The Business department is at the Kirstein Business Branch. Useful information for artists exists in all departments. The next section of the guide will give you an overview of each department and the materials of particular interest to artists.
Additional Tips
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Location: 2nd Floor, Research Library
Select List of Materials:
HUMANITIES
Location: 2nd Floor, Research Library
Select List of Materials:
FINE ARTS AND MUSIC
Location: 3rd Floor, Research Library
Select List of Materials:
FINE ARTS
MUSIC
INTERNET ACCESS
Location: 4 terminals on the 2nd Floor of the Johnson Building (AKA
the General Library)
Users must sign up for computer time and present a valid library card.
AUDIO-VISUAL DEPARTMENT
Location: Lower Level, Johnson Building
Select List of Materials:
* Most audiovisual materials are available for loan.
MICROTEXT DEPARTMENT
Location: 1st Floor, Research Library
Select List of Materials:
SCIENCE AND GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS
Location: Lower Level, Research Library
Select List of Materials:
KIRSTEIN BUSINESS BRANCH
Location: 20 City Hall Avenue near Government Center MBTA stop
(call or check website for directions)
Select List of Materials:
1st Floor
2nd Floor
3rd Floor
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
