Boston Library Consortium
Member Libraries
Empowering research through collaborative resource sharing among Greater Boston's academic and research libraries
About the Boston Library Consortium
The Boston Library Consortium (BLC) is a collaborative association of academic and research libraries in Massachusetts and beyond. Founded in 1970, the consortium facilitates resource sharing, collaborative collection development, and preservation initiatives among its member institutions. With over twenty member libraries, the BLC serves as a vital research infrastructure supporting scholars, students, and faculty throughout the region.
Mission: The Boston Library Consortium strengthens the research and learning capabilities of its member libraries through strategic collaboration, innovative services, and collective action.
Benefits of Consortium Membership
- Enhanced access to research materials across member institutions
- Cost savings through shared licenses for electronic resources
- Professional development opportunities for library staff
- Collaborative preservation and digitization projects
- Shared expertise in emerging library technologies and practices
20+
Member Libraries
50M+
Combined Volumes
130K+
Annual Resource Requests
50+
Years of Collaboration
Member Libraries
The Boston Library Consortium includes some of the most prestigious academic and research libraries in New England:
Harvard University Library
As the largest academic library in the world, Harvard's library system holds over 20 million volumes across multiple specialized libraries. Key collections include rare books, manuscripts, and extensive digital resources supporting Harvard's broad academic programs.
MIT Libraries
Comprising five major libraries and several specialized collections, MIT Libraries offer extensive resources in science, technology, and interdisciplinary research. Their notable collections include architecture, planning, and management materials.
Boston College Libraries
With the Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Library as its centerpiece, Boston College's library system offers strong humanities and social sciences collections alongside distinctive holdings in Jesuitica and Irish studies.
Boston University Libraries
Boston University's library system features impressive collections in communication, health sciences, law, and the arts. Their African Studies Library and the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center are particularly noteworthy.
Tufts University Libraries
Tufts' library network supports programs across their campuses, with strong collections in international relations, nutrition, veterinary medicine, and the arts. The Digital Collections and Archives department preserves Tufts' institutional history.
Brandeis University Library
The Goldfarb Library at Brandeis serves as the central library with specialized collections in Jewish studies, social justice, and the humanities. Their distinctive collection of personal papers includes significant manuscript holdings.
Northeastern University Library
Northeastern's Snell Library and subject-specific collections provide extensive resources supporting the university's experiential learning model. Their digital scholarship services and archives are particularly innovative.
University of Massachusetts Boston Healey Library
UMass Boston's library features strong collections in urban planning, environmental sciences, and public policy. Archives and Special Collections hold unique materials documenting Boston's social history.
University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries
The W.E.B. Du Bois Library anchors the largest public research library in New England, with exceptional collections in African American studies and distinctive holdings in science and technology.
Wellesley College Library
Wellesley's Clapp Library and special collections center offer strong humanities and social sciences resources, with notable holdings in women's history and early American materials.
University of New Hampshire Library
The Dimond Library supports UNH's academic programs with comprehensive collections in agriculture, engineering, and liberal arts. Special collections include significant New Hampshire primary sources.
Dartmouth College Library
Baker-Berry Library anchors Dartmouth's system with world-class collections in Arctic studies and Native American materials. Their Rauner Special Collections Library holds important historical manuscripts.
Services Offered by the Consortium
Resource Sharing
Expedited interlibrary loan and document delivery services allow researchers to quickly access materials held at any member institution.
Shared Digital Collections
Collaborative digitization projects and shared digital platforms provide online access to special collections and rare materials.
Professional Development
Training programs, workshops, and learning communities help library staff develop skills in emerging areas of librarianship.
Collaborative Purchasing
Joint licensing negotiations for electronic resources result in cost savings and expanded access for all member institutions.
Emergency Response
Disaster preparedness planning and mutual support protocols help member libraries respond effectively to emergencies that threaten collections.
Innovation Initiatives
Pilot projects and shared investments in new technologies allow members to explore innovative approaches to library services.
Becoming a Member
Libraries interested in joining the Boston Library Consortium must meet specific requirements and demonstrate their commitment to collaborative resource sharing. Eligible institutions typically include academic libraries accredited by regional accrediting bodies, research libraries with substantial collections, and other libraries that can contribute to and benefit from consortium services.
Impact on Research and Learning
By facilitating access to a combined collection of over 50 million volumes and countless digital resources, the Boston Library Consortium significantly enhances research capabilities in the region. Students and faculty experience enriched learning opportunities through expanded access to scholarly materials, while institutions benefit from cost efficiencies and strengthened library services.
The consortium's collaborative approach to preservation ensures that valuable historical and scholarly materials will be available for future generations. Through digitization initiatives and shared preservation facilities, member libraries work together to protect these resources while increasing their accessibility.
Future Directions
Looking ahead, the Boston Library Consortium continues to evolve its services to meet the changing needs of researchers and libraries in the digital age. Current priorities include expanding shared digital infrastructure, developing new collaborative programs in scholarly communication, and exploring innovative approaches to research data management.
As the landscape of academic research continues to transform, the Boston Library Consortium remains committed to its mission of strengthening research and learning through collaboration, ensuring that its member institutions can effectively serve their communities in an increasingly interconnected information environment.
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