As long as there has been a Boston Public Library, works on local and family history have been collected. While many libraries have family and local history collections for the town in which they are located, Boston Public Library’s collection is unique in that it includes all of Massachusetts and most of New England. The Local and Family History Collection includes more than 30,000 wide-ranging materials from the 17th–21st centuries. Close to 6,000 items relate to individual families, and...
The Interlibrary Loan Department at the Boston Public Library serves as headquarters for interlibrary loan activity in the Boston Regional Library System. The Department receives requests from the six regional libraries in Massachusetts. These libraries send requests on behalf of their member libraries. These libraries send in requests for books and journal articles. They also can send reference and subject requests. The staff of the Interlibrary Loan Department searches for these requests in...
Topic: BPL Interlibrary Loan
Anti-Slavery collection (approximately 40,000 pieces). In the late 1890's, the family of William Lloyd Garrison, along with others closely involved in the anti-slavery movement, presented the library with a major gathering of correspondence, documents, and other original material relating to the abolitionist cause from 1832 until after the Civil War. The major holdings consist of the papers of William Lloyd Garrison, Maria Weston Chapman and Deborah Weston, Lydia Maria Child, Amos Augustus...
Topics: Anti Slavery, William Lloyd Garrison, Abolition
The Thomas Pennant Barton Collection is acknowledged as one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in a public institution focusing on the writings of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries. The collection was the first in the United States to include the first four folios of the collected works of William Shakespeare, as well as some 45 early quarto editions of individual plays, many published during Shakespeare’s lifetime. As the preeminent Shakespeare collection from...
Topics: shakespeare, Thomas Pennant Barton, Boston Public Library
The Houghton Mifflin Company Trade Book Archival Collection is comprised of Trade Division materials that were originally kept in the Park Street building, which the company occupied from 1880 to 1994, before being donated to the Boston Public Library. The company’s editors used this collection as their working library. The collection includes adult and juvenile titles as well as reference materials, audio, and kits from Houghton Mifflin, Clarion, and other Houghton Mifflin Harcourt imprints.
Comprised chiefly of individual editions of English stage plays issued between 1594 and 1799, the Boston Public Library's collection of early English playbooks is extensive and diverse. Numbering well over 1,500 items, the collection also includes masques, pageants, and other dramatic entertainments. Critical funding to support long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to Boston Public Library collections, including this one, was provided by the Associates of the Boston Public...
The BPL’s incunabula collection embodies the varied output of the 15th-century European printing press. As of February, 2020, the collection is comprised of 583 physical items printed during the 15th century, the majority of which are books (issued either individually or as parts of multi-volume sets). The collection also contains a small number of single-sheet publications, blockbooks, and fragments of books that merit individual cataloging. In total, there are 555 discrete 15th-century...
The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library cares for more than a quarter million cartographic and geographic objects, ranging from the fifteenth century to the present, with a global scope and a focus on Boston and New England. Created in 2004 as a private-public partnership between the philanthropist Norman B. Leventhal and the Boston Public Library, the LMEC is located in the McKim Building at the BPL ’ s Central Library in Copley Square. The LMEC features a...
The Boston Public Library has an extensive collection of original manuscripts from the American Revolutionary War era. The letters and documents were drafted by John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, James Otis, Joseph Warren, George Washington and other important Revolutionary War figures. The materials are mostly of American origin, but also include British, European, and West Indian sources. Some of the topics covered include the war’s political origins, the unfolding of military and...
23,804
24K
1861
1861
by
Jacobs, Harriet A. (Harriet Ann), 1813-1897; Child, Mrs. (Lydia Maria), 1802-1880, ed
texts
eye 23,804
favorite 55
comment 1
Preface signed: Linda Brent
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Material for this collection has been contributed by the Boston Public Library.
Covering the years 1780 through 1821, this collection of Boston tax records is organized by year and ward. Beginning in 1802, the records for each year are generally divided into three main categories: taking books, tax books, and transfer books. Taking books (referred to as “valuation books” beginning in 1818) follow the order of the tax assessors' progress through each ward, street-by-street, and record names of individual residents or businesses, assessed values of realty and personalty,...
10,091
10K
1989
1989
by
Parks, Roger N; Hall, David D; Taylor, Alan, 1955-; Committee for a New England Bibliography
texts
eye 10,091
favorite 14
comment 0
Includes bibliographical references and index
Topic: Union catalogs
The Ticknor Library of Spanish and Portuguese literature is a 10,000-volume collection that covers many aspects of Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American literature and history, including books on art, science, law, and theology. As a collection, the Ticknor Collection is remarkable for its completeness in all that pertains to Spanish literature and belles lettres. Many of these volumes are first editions and handwritten manuscripts that are exceedingly rare. The materials are primarily in...
Defoe & Defoeana The William P. Trent Collection of Defoe and Defoeana is one of the most comprehensive collections of Daniel Defoe and his contemporaries. In addition to writing some of the first English novels, Defoe was a prolific political pamphleteer and is considered by many to be a founder of modern journalism. The nucleus of this 30,000-volume collection is a set of first editions of Defoe’s works, bound in 77 volumes and formerly owned by Henry Labouchère. There are hundreds of...
These Catholic directories provide information about the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
This collection provides access to materials published by the Boston Public Library, critical administrative records of the library, and collection documentation, including printed finding aids, card catalogs, procedural guidelines, etc.
117,622
118K
1921
1921
by
Lutz, Edwin George, b. 1868
texts
eye 117,622
favorite 768
comment 2
OCLC number: ocm07014379
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Topic: Drawing
2 volumes ; 24 cm
Topics: Registers of births, etc. -- Colombia -- Antioquia (Department), Registers of births, etc. --...
Boston Public Library Anti-Slavery Collection
1,372
1.4K
1826
1826
by
Society for the Mitigation and Gradual Abolition of Slavery Throughout the British Dominions; Denison, Charles Wheeler, 1809-1881, former owner
texts
eye 1,372
favorite 8
comment 0
Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) ex libris (inscription): C.W. Denison
Topics: Antislavery movements, Slavery
4,611
4.6K
1918
1918
by
Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745; Kirk, Maria Louise, b. 1860, ill
texts
eye 4,611
favorite 10
comment 0
Illustrated lining-papers
Index: p. 227-235
Topic: Wright family
8,653
8.7K
1923
1923
by
Falls, C. B. (Charles Buckles), 1874-1960
texts
eye 8,653
favorite 44
comment 0
129,130
129K
1921
1921
by
Johnson, Samuel, d. 1901; Johnson, O. (Obadiah)
texts
eye 129,130
favorite 73
comment 2
OCLC number: ocm07397140
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Topic: Yoruba (African people)
The Benton Collection of Editions of the Book of Common Prayer was bequeathed by Josiah H. Benton in 1919. Benton was a trustee of the Boston Public Library from 1894 until his death on February 6, 1917, and served for many years as President of the Trustees of the Library. He bestowed much of his fortune to purchase books of “permanent value and authority, desirable for scholarly research and use,” and an equal amount of money for additions and improvement to the Library building. In...
v. : 23 cm
Topics: Sight-singing, Singing -- Studies and exercises
25,918
26K
1918
1918
by
Hannigan, Francis James, b. 1880
texts
eye 25,918
favorite 3
comment 0
"An index, by author and by title, under one alphabet ... of all the short stories published in ... American magazines."--Preface
Topic: Short stories
Source: bplgrsci
Preface signed: Joseph S. Harris
Topic: Smith family
42,834
43K
1874
1874
by
Pigafetta, Antonio, ca. 1480/91-ca. 1534. Primo viaggio intorno al globo terraqueo. English; Stanley, Henry Edward John Stanley, Baron, 1827-1903
texts
eye 42,834
favorite 50
comment 1
Includes bibliographical references and indexes
favoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Magalhães, Fernão de, d. 1521, Voyages around the world
Source: bplgrhum
107 p. ; 25 cm
Topic: Harris family
The Philip Hale scrapbooks contain letters and programs, along with clippings with reviews and criticisms written by Hale and others, all compiled by Hale. There are 60 volumes organized by year, as well as two separate index volumes.
3,812
3.8K
1921
1921
by
Boston (Mass.). Listing Board
texts
eye 3,812
favorite 0
comment 0
Issued in multiple vols. arranged by wards
Topic: Voting registers
The John Adams Library at the Boston Public Library
1,113
1.1K
1691
1691
by
Meulen, Willem van der, 1658-1719; Adams, John, 1735-1826, former owner. BRL; Adams, John Quincy, 1767-1848, former owner. BRL; Boston Public Library (John Adams Library). BRL
texts
eye 1,113
favorite 0
comment 0
Title vingettes
Topics: Law, Law, Law
Source: johnadamsbpl
19,833
20K
1917
1917
by
United States. War Dept
texts
eye 19,833
favorite 54
comment 1
270 p. :
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topics: Cookery, Military, cbk
3,015
3.0K
1944
1944
by
Boston (Mass.). Election Dept
texts
eye 3,015
favorite 0
comment 0
...the alphabetical list begins in 1985, prior to that date the volumes are arranged by ward and precinct; the Microtext Dept. has the years 1861-1897, 1904, 1906, 1909 (ward 10, precinct 1, and ward 11, precinct 9), 1911-1930 available on call number: JS617.A5; the Elections Dept. in Boston City Hall may be able to provide 1996, 1997 and 1999...
Topics: List of Residents -- Massachusetts Boston, Voting Lists -- Massachusetts Boston
37,688
38K
1976
1976
by
United States. Congress. Senate. Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities; Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
texts
eye 37,688
favorite 28
comment 0
Vol. 3-6 lack subtitle
Topics: Intelligence service, Civil rights
Source: bplgovdocs
John Adams Library copy includes separate 3.5" x 4.5" card inscribed with poem [not in Adams's hand] inserted at p. 344, which has been removed and stored separately.
Topics: Geography, Ancient, Natural history -- Africa, North, Middle East -- Description and travel, Middle...
Also includes ''The story of Topsy'' from Uncle Tom's Cabin
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 5 reviews )
Source: bplill
The John Adams Library at the Boston Public Library
6,077
6.1K
1606
1606
by
Bodin, Jean, 1530-1596; Knolles, Richard, 1550?-1610; Adams, John, 1735-1826, former owner. BRL; John Adams Library (Boston Public Library) BRL
texts
eye 6,077
favorite 17
comment 0
Engraved t.p
Topics: Political science, State, The
xxxiii, 266 pages ; 23 cm
Topics: AIDS (Disease) -- Popular works, AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment, AIDS (Disease) -- Miscellanea
A collection of book lists created and curated by Boston Public Library librarians. It includes: Black Is... (1973-), published in observance of Black History Month and featuring books concerning the African American experience; Latinx Life (2003-), published in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month and featuring books concerning the Latinx experience; We Are Pride (2017-), published in observance of Pride Month and featuring books concerning the diverse experiences of the LGBTQ+...
Includes directions to the binder, v. 1
Topic: Voyages and travels
1,468
1.5K
1983
1983
by
United States. Congress. House. Committee on the Judiciary. Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations
texts
eye 1,468
favorite 0
comment 0
Includes bibliographical references
Topics: Legislative veto -- United States, Administrative procedure -- United States
25,055
25K
1890
1890
by
Deyo, Simeon L
texts
eye 25,055
favorite 16
comment 0
Photocopy
Topics: Barnstable County (Mass.) -- History, Barnstable County (Mass.) -- Biography
Bound in green cloth; stamped in green and gold; decorated endpapers
First published in l9l8 by L. N. Fowler, London and Advanced Thought Pub. Co., Chicago
Topic: Attention
1,018 pages : 25 cm
Topics: Germans -- Soviet Union, Germany -- Emigration and immigration -- 18th century -- 19th century,...
2,148
2.1K
War in the Pacific National Historical Park : hearing before the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on H.R. 1944, to provide for additional development at War in the Pacific National Historical Park ... hearing held in Washington, DC, May 27, 1993
1993
1993
by
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Natural Resources. Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands
texts
eye 2,148
favorite 1
comment 0
iv, 111 p. : 24 cm
Topics: Visitors' centers -- Guam War in the Pacific National Historical Park Finance, War in the Pacific...
638
638
1807
1807
by
Carmichael, Andrew Blair, ca. 1780-ca. 1854, supposed author; Norcott, William, 1770?-1820?, supposed author
texts
eye 638
favorite 1
comment 0
A satire in verse variously ascribed to Andrew Carmichael, William Norcott and others. cf. Dict nat. bio.; O'Donoghue's The poets of Ireland
Topic: Law
6,719
6.7K
1913
1913
by
United States. Bureau of the Census; United States Civil Service Commission
texts
eye 6,719
favorite 0
comment 0
Imprint varies: 1917-1932, by the Bureau of the Census; 1933-1959, by the Civil Service Commission
Topics: United States -- Registers, United States -- Officials and employees Periodicals
Source: bplgovdocs
15,627
16K
1904
1904
by
Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles, 1871-1928
texts
eye 15,627
favorite 141
comment 1
Title in red and black
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Topic: Heraldry
Source: Gen Ref
9,587
9.6K
1751
1751
by
Luiken, Caspar, 1672-1708, artist; Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712, artist; Weigel, Christopher, fl. 1712, engraver
texts
eye 9,587
favorite 10
comment 0
This is the first edition of the famous "Elizabethan Bible" published during the reign of Empress Elisabeth Petrovna (1709-1761) and represents the so-called "corrected text" of the first edition of the Bible issued in Slavonic characters by Ivan Fedorov in Ostrog, (Volhynia) in the year 1581. See Darlowe and Moule
The Improper Bostonian was a glossy lifestyle magazine first published in August 1991 "highlighting the people and places that make Boston a world-class city." After 28 years, publisher Wendy Semonian Eppich announced that the magazine ceased publication effective April 25, 2019. The magazine came out bi-weekly and reported on the area trends in a young and entertaining way. The magazine was a staple in Greater Boston, distributed free at kiosks within city limits, and available via a...
21,938
22K
1923
1923
by
Johnson, Henry Lewis
texts
eye 21,938
favorite 366
comment 2
''Book reference list'':p. [192-193]
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Topics: Printing, Book ornamentation, Decoration and ornament
4,064
4.1K
1947
1947
by
United States Strategic Bombing Survey. Morale Division
texts
eye 4,064
favorite 1
comment 0
"June 1947."
Topics: World War, 1939-1945, Bombing, Aerial, World War, 1939-1945, Morale, World War, 1939-1945
Source: bplgovdocs
1,707
1.7K
1922
1922
by
Gay, John, 1685-1732; Williams, W. H. (William Henry), 1852-1941; Chiswick Press
texts
eye 1,707
favorite 7
comment 0
With reproduction of original t.p
Topic: London (England) -- Social life and customs -- Early works to 1800
2,812
2.8K
Endangered Species Act reauthorization : field hearings before the Subcommittee on Drinking Water, Fisheries, and Wildlife of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourth Congress, first session, June 1, 1995--Roseburg, OR, June 3, 1995--Lewiston, ID, August 16, 1995--Casper, WY
Apr 1, 1996
04/96
by
United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Environment and Public Works. Subcommittee on Drinking Water, Fisheries, and Wildlife
texts
eye 2,812
favorite 0
comment 0
Includes bibliographical references
Topics: Endangered species -- Law and legislation United States, Wildlife conservation -- Law and...
502
502
1860
1860
by
Pacheco, José Ramón
texts
eye 502
favorite 0
comment 0
Caption title
Topics: Pacheco, José Ramón, Lhuys, Drouyn de, Diplomats
Source: BPL_scan_for_me
Bound in gold cloth ; stamped in gold and brown ; decorated endpapers
favoritefavoritefavorite ( 1 reviews )
Paged continuously
Topics: Phelps family, Phelps, William, 1599-1672
[4] p., 130 leaves of plates : 37 cm
Topics: Monograms, Initials
"Hitchcock's banjo collection"--At head of title
691, [7] p. 27 cm
Topics: Boone family, Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820
xvi, 236 p. ; 20 cm
Topic: Erotic literature
Source: bplill
662
662
1726
1726
by
Defoe, Daniel, 1661?-1731; Campbell, Duncan, 1680?-1730
texts
eye 662
favorite 7
comment 0
Signatures: A-E(last verso blank)
Source: bplsc
3,588
3.6K
1902
1902
by
Jacobs, Joseph, 1854-1916, ed; Batten, John Dickson, 1860-1932, ill
texts
eye 3,588
favorite 38
comment 0
OCLC number: ocm02530838
Topics: Fairy tales, Folklore
22,050
22K
1705
1705
by
Comenius, Johann Amos, 1592-1670; Hoole, Charles, 1610-1667
texts
eye 22,050
favorite 55
comment 0
Latin and English in parallel columns
Topics: Latin language, Natural history, Picture books for children
Source: bplsc
15,019
15K
1854
1854
by
Thoreau, Henry David, 1817-1862; Carew, Thomas, 1595?-1639?
texts
eye 15,019
favorite 43
comment 0
Title vignette (Thoreau's hut at Walden Pond); the plan is a water depth chart of Walden Pond, 1846, opposite p. 307
Topic: United States. Massachusetts. Boston. 1854
8,288
8.3K
1798
1798
by
Caslon, William, 1754-1833
texts
eye 8,288
favorite 138
comment 0
Issued with: 'A specimen of cast ornaments', London, 1798
Topic: Printing
147
147
1972
1972
by
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
texts
eye 147
favorite 1
comment 0
146 p.; maps and charts ; cm
Topics: Local transit -- Massachusetts -- Boston Metro Area, Railroads -- Massachusetts -- Boston Metro Area
12,651
13K
1889
1889
by
Cullen, James Bernard, b. 1857; Taylor, William, Jr
texts
eye 12,651
favorite 6
comment 0
Includes bibliographical references
Topics: Irish -- Massachusetts Boston, Catholics -- Massachusetts Boston, Boston (Mass.) -- Biography
25,394
25K
1908
1908
by
Nesfield, John Collinson
texts
eye 25,394
favorite 38
comment 0
Includes index
Topic: English language
52,452
52K
1908
1908
by
Smith, Jacqueline Harrison
texts
eye 52,452
favorite 115
comment 2
383 p. ; 23 cm
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite ( 2 reviews )
Topics: Cookery, American, cbk
Caption title
Topic: Slavery
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11
