Printing at the Boston Public Library (BPL) is designed to be straightforward and accessible for everyone. Whether you are a library card holder or a visitor, BPL offers several options to meet your printing needs. This guide will walk you through the different methods available for printing documents at the Boston Public Library.
Printing with Your Library Card
If you have a Boston Public Library card, printing is incredibly convenient. Your library card number and PIN provide seamless access to library computers, print management software, and printers. As a benefit for library card holders, you receive $20 of free printing credit at the beginning of each month. This generous allowance makes it easy to print documents for research, personal use, or any other purpose you may have while using the library’s resources.
Guest Printing Options for Visitors
For those who are not eligible for a library card or prefer not to get one, the Boston Public Library offers guest printing solutions. Visitors can utilize a visitor pass or set up a Self-Service Print account to access printing services.
Obtaining a Visitor Pass
To get a visitor pass, simply ask any library staff member for assistance. You will need to provide your first and last name to receive a pass. This visitor pass grants you access to the library’s computers, allowing you to find and prepare the materials you need to print. Each visitor pass comes with a complimentary $1 printing credit, which is enough for up to 5 black and white pages. Please remember that printing double-sided counts as two pages against your credit. It’s important to note that visitor passes cannot be reloaded with additional funds.
Setting Up a Print Account
For visitors who need to print more than the initial allowance provided on a visitor pass, or for those who prefer a more flexible option, BPL offers print accounts. There are two types of print accounts available to suit different payment preferences:
Kiosk Account (Cash Payments)
If you plan to pay for your printing with cash, you will need to create a Kiosk account at one of the red kiosks located within the library. Setting up a Kiosk account requires an initial cash deposit of at least $1. Once you have created your Kiosk account, you can proceed to print documents from a library computer. For detailed instructions on setting up a Kiosk account, you can refer to the official BPL guide for creating a Kiosk account. If you require any help with Kiosk accounts, library staff are available to assist you.
Self-Service Account (Credit/Debit Card Payments)
For those who prefer to pay using a credit or debit card, the Self-Service Print account is the ideal choice. You can register for a Self-Service Print account by visiting PrintCenter.BPL.org and signing up as a guest. Although the instructions on the website are geared towards printing from a personal laptop, you can easily adapt them for use on a library computer. You will need a valid email address to register for a Self-Service Print account. As a courtesy, your new Self-Service Print account will start with a one-time free printing balance of $1.
Conclusion
The Boston Public Library provides various printing solutions to accommodate all users, whether you are a cardholder or a visitor. From the free monthly printing for library card members to the flexible guest printing options with visitor passes and print accounts, accessing printing services at BPL is convenient and user-friendly. Choose the method that best suits your needs and take advantage of the resources available at the Boston Public Library for all your printing requirements.
