State guide
Massachusetts
Massachusetts public libraries share materials widely across the Commonwealth, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners says residents can get titles from other libraries across the state. On the state-government side, the State Library of Massachusetts is open for on-site use by everyone, but borrowing and state-library interlibrary loan are limited to current permanent employees of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State library agency
- Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
- Statewide book club kit program
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
- Interlibrary loan
- MBLC says residents should ask their local library for help getting titles from other libraries across Massachusetts; the State Library's own interlibrary loan service is limited to current permanent employees of the executive, legislative, or judicial branches.
Official resources in Massachusetts
Consumer portal from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners explaining cards, borrowing, eBooks, and statewide sharing.
Official tool to find Massachusetts libraries and library services near you.
Explains statewide digital borrowing options including LEA and CommonShelf.
Official borrowing and interlibrary loan rules for the State Library of Massachusetts.
State-supported collaborative site with delivery and interlibrary loan support information for Massachusetts libraries.
Key facts for Massachusetts
- MBLC says Massachusetts libraries share access to more than 59 million items statewide.
- The Commonwealth Catalog lets users discover and request borrowable books, CDs, and DVDs from over 400 Massachusetts libraries.
- The State Library of Massachusetts is open to everyone for on-site use.
- Only current, permanent employees of Massachusetts executive, legislative, or judicial branches may borrow or request State Library interlibrary loans.
- Memorial Hall Library says its MVLC-supported kits include 15 paperbacks and a discussion guide, and circulate for six weeks.
- Littleton says its Book Club Kits contain 15 paperback copies, a discussion guide, and sometimes large print or a DVD/video.
Libraries that lend book club kits in Massachusetts
| Library | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reuben Hoar Library Book Club Kits | Littleton | 978-540-2600 | Offers children’s, young adult, and adult book club kits; reservations are made through a separate kit system. |
| Memorial Hall Library Book Club Kits | Andover | 978-623-8420 | MVLC-supported kit program with over 240 kits; reserve through the catalog or call for help. |
| Amesbury Public Library Book Club Services | Amesbury | 978-388-8148 x607 | Helps groups request titles through MVLC and also lends 15-copy book club kits checked out for six weeks. |
| Bellingham Public Library Book Club Kits | Bellingham | Not published* | Official kit page for the library’s book club kit collection and related lending rules. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Start with your local public library card, then ask staff to request titles from other Massachusetts libraries if your branch lacks enough copies.
- If you need a ready-made kit, check MVLC libraries such as Andover, Amesbury, or Littleton for reservable kits.
- If you work for Massachusetts state government, use the State Library directly for borrowing and interlibrary loan requests.
Not seeing your library or county?
We list a library only when an official government page publishes its rules. If yours isn't in the table above, it may not publish them online yet. Here's what to use instead, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across Massachusetts, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Massachusetts's population center, for comparison only):
- Providence Public Library Book Clubs, Rhode Island · about 31 miles
- Barrington Public Library Book Club Kits, Rhode Island · about 39 miles
- Warwick Public Library Book Club in a Bag, Rhode Island · about 40 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.Massachusetts Libraries: Get Started
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Massachusetts page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.
Helpful guides
- What is a library book club kit?
- How to borrow a book club kit from your library
- How to start a book club at your library
- Using interlibrary loan for your book club