Boston Public Library has extensive special collections, including prints, photographs and rare books. These materials are typically only requested for viewing by researchers and scholars and can only be viewed under special circumstances in our Rare Books Reading Room. Thanks to the "Digital Stacks," the BPL’s digitized special collections are easily discoverable by visitors to the Central Library, and can be explored using a touch screen to dig deep into the BPL’s collections.

The digital content is sourced from the BPL’s collections on DigitalCommonwealth.org, which provides public access to the resources of cultural heritage organizations throughout Massachusetts. BPL is committed to improving public access to special collections.

The "Digital Stacks" increase awareness of the depth and breadth of the BPL’s collections, and make our digitized special collections immediately accessible to the public.