Access & Borrowing
From BLC Member Institutions
Visitor Policies & BLC Cards
Visitor access and borrowing privileges are variable as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Please be sure to check individual library websites in advance of any visit.
Borrowing from BLC Member Institutions
The BLC Card Program allows affiliated users of BLC member institutions to directly borrow resources from participating member institutions. BLC Cards may only be issued to you from your home library and should be acquired prior to borrowing from other BLC libraries. Further program details can be found here.
| Library | Open to BLC Patrons | Policies |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley University | Yes | See website |
| Boston College | Yes | See website |
| Boston Public Library | Yes | See website |
| Boston University | Yes | See website |
| Brandeis University | Yes | No specific policies |
| Connecticut College | Yes | Visitors will need a current BLC consortium and a photo ID. Upon entering the library, please enquire at the Circulation Desk. |
| Marine Biological Laboratory and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | * | See website |
| Middlebury College | Yes | See website |
| Northeastern University | Yes | Visitors should register their visit in advance using the Library Privileges Request Form
and bring their BLC Card and a photo ID. |
| State Library of Massachusetts | * | See website |
| Trinity College | Yes | See website |
| Tufts University | Yes | See website |
| University of Connecticut | Yes | Visitor will need a current BLC Consortium Card and their institution ID |
| University of Hartford | Yes | See website |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst | Yes | See website |
| University of Massachusetts - Boston | Yes | For in-person borrowing, BLC users must have BLC card and a photo ID. Masks recommended. COVID vaccination required, but proof not required for general entry
|
| University of Massachusetts - Chan Medical | No | See website |
| University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth | Yes | See website |
| University of Massachusetts - Lowell | Yes | Masks optional |
| University of New Hampshire | Yes | Visitors will need a current BLC Consortium Card and their institution ID |
| University of Rhode Island | Yes | See website |
| University of Vermont | Yes | See website |
| Wellesley College | Yes | See website |
| Wesleyan University | Yes | See website |
| Williams College | Yes | See website |
BLC Card Program Details
The BLC Card Program allows users to directly borrow resources from participating member institutions. Before borrowing from another BLC library, please visit your home library’s circulation or information desk to 1) verify that you are eligible for a BLC Card per local guidelines and 2) request and receive a BLC Card. All card holders agree to abide by the following policies:
- BLC Cards are eligible to affiliated users of BLC member institutions who are in good standing, as locally defined by their home library.
- Interested users must first acquire a BLC Card at their home library prior to visiting another BLC library to check out materials.
- BLC Card holders must register at each visited library with their BLC Card and a photo ID. Users may also be required to fill out an application with contact information at each member institution.
- BLC Card holders must observe all loan periods and agree to promptly return materials in accordance with these due dates. Any borrowed materials must be returned to the library it is borrowed from, not the home library of the card holder.
- BLC Card holders must observe the circulation and building policies of all BLC member institutions, payment of overdue charges and unreturned materials. Home libraries may be notified of overdue and unreturned materials and are liable for fees associated with lost materials per loaning library policies. A home library may assess fees to card holders and/or rescind BLC Cards borrowing privileges of those who do not act in accordance with any BLC member library policies.
- BLC Card holders must renew their cards at regular intervals, as determined by your home library.
- If you lose your BLC Card, promptly contact your home library to replace it.
- For any other questions about the BLC Card Program, please contact your home library.
Government Documents and the Federal Depository Library Program
Eleven of the BLC member libraries participate in the Federal Depository Library Program providing access to government documents and related information in their collections to the public, even if they are private institutions.
These member libraries maintain resource guides to these information resources. While these are generally up-to-date, BLC recommends contacting the individual responsible for government collections at the library ahead of your visit.