| Use of Collections |
Due to the size, age and complexity of the collection, only library staff may access to the State Library stacks.
To request an item from the collection:
- Search the library catalogs
- Fill out a "call slip" with the pertinent information
- Submit it to staff at the reference desk or Special Collections desk.
A library staff member will retrieve the materials from the stacks and place them on the reference desk or Special Collections desk, where you may pick them up. Please return materials to the appropriate desk after you are done using them.
Patrons may ask the reference department to set aside materials on reserve if they expect to return later for further research. |
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| Library Catalogs |
All Library materials are represented in one of these two catalogs:
Card Catalog: located in the main reading room, includes materials that were processed by the library prior to 1975.
Online Catalog: includes library materials processed by the library from 1975 on. In general, earlier materials are not included in the online catalog. |
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| Electronic Resources |
The library has a wide selection of databases that may be used both in the library and remotely. Some databases require a State Library of Massachusetts library card for remote access.
Click here to access the library databases. |
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| Reference Service |
| Reference librarians at the State Library will research and respond to reference questions either in-person, over the phone (617.727.2590), or by email. Email questions should be of the type that can be answered briefly and relate to legislative, legal or governmental information. (For example: "Who were the senators from Massachusetts in 1886?") |
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| Copying Facilities and Privileges |
| State employees may copy up to 15 pages per legislative office per day. Please ask for a short term loan to take materials back to your office for extended photocopying. Special Collections has specific photo reproduction procedures. |
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| Obtaining a State Library of Massachusetts Library Card |
To qualify for a State Library of Massachusetts card, you must be a current, permanent employee of the legislative or executive branches of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and have a valid Commonwealth of Massachusetts identification card.
Click here to apply for a library card. |
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| Borrowing Materials |
The standard loan period for materials in our stacks is 30 days. Materials may be renewed twice; this can be done either in person or by phone. If a project necessitates keeping materials longer, please contact the head of reference for special arrangements. Special Collections Items do not circulate.
Reference titles may be taken out on a short-term loan for a limited amount of time, for extensive photocopying, or for consultation. Please check with the reference desk before proceeding to the circulation desk when requesting a short-term loan.
Both standard and short-term loans should be charged out and returned at the circulation desk, at the third floor entrance of the library. Items may be recalled should another state employee require them for their work. |
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| Reserving Materials Currently Out on Loan |
| State employees may ask to be notified when titles are returned. |
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| Inter-Library Loan Services |
State Employees with a valid State Library of Massachusetts library card are encouraged to request work-related books or articles from other libraries. We cannot supply non-work related loan requests for personal reading or continuing education courses; please inquire at your local public library about acquiring these through its inter-library loan service.
Click here to access inter-library loan services for state employees. |
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| On-Site Access to Local Academic Libraries |
| As a member of the Boston Library Consortium, state employees can gain access to other consortium libraries. Personnel who need this on-site access for their projects may request a Boston Library Consortium card from the public services librarian. |
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