Printing at the Boston Public Library (BPL) is designed to be straightforward and accessible, offering several options to suit your needs, whether you’re a library member or a visitor. Understanding the printing system will ensure a smooth experience, allowing you to easily print documents for personal or professional use.
Printing with a BPL Library Card
For BPL members, using your library card for printing is the most seamless method. Your library card number and PIN provide access to library computers, the print management system, and the printers themselves. As a valuable perk, BPL provides $20 of free printing credit at the start of each month for library card holders. This generous allowance covers a significant amount of printing, making library resources even more beneficial.
Guest Printing Options
If you are not eligible for a BPL library card or prefer not to get one, there are convenient guest printing solutions available. These options ensure that everyone can access printing services when needed.
Visitor Pass
For short-term printing needs, a visitor pass is a great option. To obtain 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 computers and the necessary resources for printing. Each visitor pass includes an initial credit of $1, which is sufficient for printing up to 5 black and white pages. Keep in mind that printing on both sides of a page counts as two pages. It’s important to note that visitor passes cannot be recharged with additional funds.
Print Accounts
For more extensive printing needs beyond the visitor pass allowance, BPL offers print accounts. There are two types of print accounts tailored to different payment preferences:
Kiosk Account
If you prefer to pay with cash, the Kiosk account is the right choice. You can sign up for a Kiosk account at one of the red kiosks located within the library. Setting up a Kiosk account requires a minimum cash deposit of $1. Once you have created your Kiosk account, you can proceed to print documents from a library computer. For any help with Kiosk accounts, library staff are readily available to assist you.
Self-Service Account
For those who prefer to pay using a credit or debit card, the Self-Service Print account is the ideal option. You can create a Self-Service Print account by visiting PrintCenter.BPL.org and registering 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 an email address to register for a Self-Service Print account. As a one-time courtesy, new Self-Service Print accounts start with a $1 free printing balance.
By offering these varied printing options, BPL ensures that all patrons have access to the resources they need for printing, whether they are quick, simple jobs or more substantial projects.
