HARVARD UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SYSTEM

Harvard’s library system, which dates from 1638, is the oldest library in the US and the largest academic library in the world. With more than 15 million books and a burgeoning number of digital objects and electronic resources, the collections are housed in more than 90 libraries, most of which are located in Cambridge and Boston. Of these collections, more than half are in the purview of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, specifically in the Harvard College Library (HCL).

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
www.hcl.harvard.edu

The Harvard College Library (HCL) is actually a system of libraries that support the teaching and research activities of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the University, and the larger scholarly community. Librarians throughout the HCL libraries offer a variety of services to users: assistance at reference desks, individual consultations by appointment, on-line reference service, and course-related research instruction. They compose research guides on almost every subject offered in the College and make them available on-line (www.hcl.harvard.edu/research/guides).

In addition to the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library—which is the University’s flagship—HCL operates:

• Cabot Science Library
• Fine Arts Library (includes Harvard Film Archive)
• Harvard–Yenching Library
• Houghton Library (includes Harvard Theatre Collection)
• Lamont Library (includes Quad Library)
• Littauer Library
• Loeb Music Library
• Social Sciences Program (includes Harvard Map Collection, Government Documents/ Microforms, Environmental Information Center, Numeric Data Services, Fung Library)
• Quad Library
• Tozzer Library

Harvard’s Graduate and Professional Schools

Each of Harvard’s graduate and professional faculties supports additional significant libraries. These include:

• Andover-Harvard Theological Library—Harvard Divinity School
  www.hds.harvard.edu/library
• Baker Library—Harvard Business School
  www.library.hbs.edu
• Countway Library of Medicine—for the faculties of dentistry, medicine, and public health
  www.countway.harvard.edu
• Gutman Library—Harvard Graduate School of Education
  www.gse.harvard.edu/library
• Harvard Law School Library
  www.law.harvard.edu/library
• John F. Kennedy School of Government Library
  www.ksg.harvard.edu/library
• (Frances) Loeb (Design) Library—Harvard Graduate School of Design School
  www.gsd.harvard.edu/library
• Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America—Radcliffe Institute
  www.radcliffe.edu/schles

Additional Collections

Harvard’s library system also includes numerous departmental and special libraries within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and a number of additional and affiliated collections, ranging from the Villa I Tatti in Florence to the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library in Washington, DC. For a complete directory of Harvard libraries and websites, visit lib.harvard.edu/libraries.

Access for Undergraduates

Undergraduates with valid HUID cards have access to all Harvard libraries. It is important to recognize that the individual libraries establish separate circulation policies, and that those policies may vary significantly. For more information, visit lib.harvard.edu/libraries.

HOLLIS Catalog
holliscatalog.harvard.edu

The HOLLIS (Harvard On-line Library Information System) Catalog contains over 9 million records for all types of material in the Harvard University Library system. It serves as the primary access point to books, manuscripts (more detailed descriptions of manuscripts are provided through OASIS), government documents, maps, microforms, and music scores.

Using a HUID and PIN, members of the Harvard community are able to use HOLLIS to renew, hold, or recall items; to view a list of items checked out; and to check fines on-line.

Library Websites

Harvard Libraries
lib.harvard.edu

A major starting point for research is the "Harvard Libraries" website, which is an on-line gateway to the library resources of Harvard University. The site serves as an important research tool for Harvard’s current students, faculty, staff, and researchers who hold HUIDs and PINs. Through E-Research @ Harvard Libraries, it provides access to over 20,000 electronic resources and journals licensed by the Harvard libraries, as well as links to all of the Harvard library catalogs. It also points to research guides compiled by the libraries across campus and provides practical information on each of the more than 90 libraries that form the Harvard system.

Most of Harvard’s libraries also have developed their own web sites, which are full of valuable links and information covering their areas of specialty.

E-Research @ Harvard Libraries
e-research.lib.harvard.edu

E-Research @ Harvard Libraries is an on-line library service that provides access for Harvard users to over 20,000 electronic resources and journals and allows users to store and manage their search results.

Using E-Research, users can:

• Find and access article databases and indexes, encyclopedias, e-book and e-journal collections, and many other electronic resources.
• Find articles on a topic by searching across the content of multiple e-resources with a single search;
• Find and access individual electronic journals by title, subject or ISSN.
• Add selected e-resources to personal lists for cross-searching and reference (My E-Re sources).
• Save lists of favorite e-journals for quick reference (My E-Journals).
• Store links to articles, books, and other items (My Citations).
• View past searches (Saved Searches).
• Save citations to local workstations or to bibliographic management software such as End Note.
• Click on "Find It @ Harvard" buttons for all search results in order to locate items on-line or on the shelves at Harvard libraries.

In order to achieve maximum benefit from E-Research @ Harvard Libraries and to access all of Harvard’s licensed e-resources, Harvard users should log in, using Harvard IDs and PINs, at the beginning of each session.

hcl.harvard.edu
A Research Tool for Library Users
hcl.harvard.edu

This user-friendly site is a complement to the Harvard Libraries portal and offers quick access to a variety of research tools like research guides, research contacts, on-line forms, Ask a Librarian on-line reference service, and information about hours, admittance and borrowing, copying and scanning services, exhibitions and events, services for persons with disabilities, and more. The Quick Start features for undergraduates and graduate students who are new to the library system is particularly helpful.

Other Harvard Library Catalogs

VIA
via.harvard.edu

The Visual Information Access (VIA) system is a union catalog of visual resources at Harvard. It includes information about slides, photographs, objects, and artifacts in the University’s libraries, museums, and archives.

OASIS
oasis.harvard.edu

The On-line Archival Search Information System (OASIS) provides centralized access to a growing percentage of finding aids for archival and manuscript collections at Harvard. These finding aids are detailed descriptions of collections that contain a wide variety of source materials, including letters, diaries, photographs, drawings, printed material, and objects.

Harvard Geospatial Library (HGL)
hgl.harvard.edu/jsps/basemap.jsp

The Harvard Geospatial Library is a system for the discovery, analysis, mapping, and delivery of geospatial data. It is also possible to pass on coordinates from external applications in order to plot or draw your own data on top of HGL maps.

Responsibilities of Library Users

The Harvard libraries are maintained for the University’s students, faculty, staff, and other authorized members of the scholarly community. In order to preserve the collections and to ensure ongoing access to them, users are expected to respect the rules and regulations around use of library materials and property and to assist in the protection of library materials.

Every user of the library has a responsibility to:

• safeguard the integrity of library resources
• respect the restrictions placed on access to and the use of those resources
• report to library officers the theft, destruction, or misuse of library resources by others
• respect the rights of others to the quiet use of the library
• respect the authority of the librarians and staff whose job it is to protect library resources

• the exploitation of library resources or materials for profit or use for commercial purposes
• the systematic printing or downloading of significant portions of licensed on-line resources
• unauthorized removal of materials or property from the library
• destruction, defacement, or abuse of library materials or property
• use of library privileges for reasons other than personal academic pursuits

Students, staff, faculty members, researchers, visitors, and other users who fail to comply with library rules and regulations are subject to revocation of library privileges, disciplinary actions, and legal prosecution. All library users are subject to the fines and penalties of the University, as well as the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts governing crimes against property.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities are directed to the reference desks of individual libraries for assistance in getting books. If special arrangements are required, students should contact coordinators of individual libraries. See individual listings for building access, or visit "Library Services for Persons with Disabilities" at lib.harvard.edu/disability_service.html.

Lamont Library
Sun.–Thurs, 24 hours
Fri., closes 9:45 pm
Sat., 8 am – 9:45 pm
Sun., opens 8 am
The schedule changes during intersession.
Harvard Yard
617-495-2455
www.hcl.harvard.edu/lamont

Lamont Library is designed primarily for undergraduate use. It contains the books required for most courses and tutorials, reserve course readings, and books for general reading. Open 24 hours a day, five days a week, the library provides a variety of comfortable study spaces with wireless connectivity. Lamont houses Morse Music & Media, the Woodberry Poetry Room, the Farnsworth Room recreational reading collection, the Center for Students with Disabilities, and Government Documents/Microforms. In the fall of 2007 a café will open in the building.

   The main entrance of Lamont is ramped for wheelchair access and there is elevator service to all levels. Some University telephones and pay phones in the library are adapted for voice amplification; check with library staff for locations.

Cabot Science Library
Regular Term Hours
Mon.–Th., 8:30 am–midnight; Fri., 8:30 am–6 pm
Sat., noon–10 pm; Sun., 10 am–midnight
This schedule changes during intersession.
Science Center
617-495-5353
www.hcl.harvard.edu/cabot

Located in the Science Center, Cabot houses general collections in all areas of science, with undergraduate materials in applied sciences, astronomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, geology, physics, zoology, history of science, and agricultural engineering; and research collections in earth and planetary sciences, pure mathematics and theoretical statistics. The library has ample study space on three levels, as well as rooms for group study and for viewing videos of selected courses given in the Science Center.

   Access for persons with disabilities: The Science Center is wheelchair-accessible and the elevator key is available. For more information call 617-496-4958.

   Special services include HOLLIS terminal with printer and VisualTek closed-circuit television enlargement for viewing printed or microfiche material. Group study rooms can be used for readers with visual handicaps, although not on a reserved-time basis.

Widener Library
Mon.–Th., 9 am–10 pm; Fri., 9 am–7 pm, Sat., 9 am–5 pm; Sun., noon–8 pm
The schedule changes during intersession.
Harvard Yard
617-495-2414 / 617-495-2413
www.hcl.harvard.edu/widener

Harvard’s flagship library located centrally in the Yard, Widener contains more than 5 million books, journals, and other materials that comprise one of the world’s most comprehensive research collections in the humanities and social sciences. The library has four spacious reading rooms featuring a variety of seating and study spaces, wireless connectivity, power/data jacks, and ample lighting. Orientation tours of the building are offered at the beginning of each term. See the web site for details.

   Parts of the building are wheelchair-accessible from the Massachusetts Avenue entrance.

The Harvard Map Collection
Mon.–Fri. 9 am–4:45 pm
617-495-2417
Pusey Library via Lamont Library West Door
www.hcl.harvard.edu/maps

America’s oldest map collection includes rare editions of Mercator, Ortelius, and Ptolemaic atlases, as well as large-scale current topographic maps of geographic areas throughout the world. It also features significant holdings of early state, county, and town maps from the mid-nineteenth century. The modern maps include topographic series from around the world, thematic maps, nautical charts, aerial photography, and satellite imagery. The Harvard Map Collection acquires and provides access to digital cartographic resources and geographic information systems.

   Access for persons with disabilities: People with disabilities wishing to visit the Harvard Map Collection should call 617-495-2417 in advance to make arrangements.

Houghton Library
Mon., Wed.–Fri., 9 am–5 pm; Tues., 9 am–8 pm; Sat., 9 am–1 pm
The schedule changes during intersession.
Harvard Yard
617-495-2441
www.hcl.harvard.edu/houghton

Harvard’s primary repository for rare books and manuscripts, Houghton holds collections on the study of Western civilization, particularly European and American history and literature, and special collections in printing and graphic arts and the theater. The library hosts a number of exhibitions during the academic year and introductory tours of the building on Fridays. See the web site for details.

   Call 617-495-2440 or 617-495-2441 to make arrangements for wheelchair access.

Fine Arts Library
Mon.–Thu., 9 am–10 pm; Fri., 9 am–6 pm
Sat., 10 am–5 pm; Sun., 1 pm–6 pm
The schedule changes during intersession.
Fogg Art Museum, 32 Quincy Street
617-495-5374
www.hcl.harvard.edu/finearts

One of the world’s most comprehensive academic art libraries, the Fine Arts collection covers all of Western and non-Western art and architecture, from antiquity to the present, with special collections in East Asian and Islamic art and architecture and the Harvard Film Archive.

   Access for people with disabilities to the Fine Arts Library is available at the Prescott Street entrance. Elevators and accessible restrooms and telephones are available in both facilities.

Harvard-Yenching Library
Mon.–Fri. 9 am–10 pm
Sat. 9 am–5 pm; Sun. noon–5 pm
The schedule changes during intersession.
2 Divinity Ave. 617-495-2756
www.hcl.harvard.edu/harvard-yenching

With the most extensive academic research collection on East Asian materials outside of Asia, the Harvard–Yenching Library holds publications in the humanities and social sciences on traditional and modern East Asia, and is renowned for its rare books and manuscripts.

   Access for people with disabilities is available at the side entrance of the building. Persons with disabilities wishing to visit the library should telephone 617-495-2756 in advance to make arrangements for assistance. An accessible elevator, restroom, and telephone are available.

Littauer Library
Mon.–Th. 9 am–9 pm
Fri. 9 am–7 pm; Sat. noon–5 pm; Sun. noon–8 pm
The schedule changes during intersession.
North Yard
617-495-2560
www.hcl.harvard.edu/littauer

Littauer holdings include books and serials on economics, government, and political science with special collections in manpower and industrial relations; electronic numeric data files, and the Environmental Science and Public Policy Archives.

Loeb Music Library
Mon–Th. 9 am–10 pm; Fri. 9 am–5 pm;
Sat. 1 pm–5 pm; Sun. 1 pm–10 pm
The schedule changes during intersession.
North Yard
617-495-2794
www.hcl.harvard.edu/loebmusic

One of the world’s preeminent libraries supporting music research, Loeb Music collections include thousands of books, scores, and recordings; a world music archive; the world’s largest collections of Turkish and Indian classical music; jazz and African-American music; and an extensive Mozart archive.

   Access for persons with disabilities is through the entrance of the Paine Hall wing of the Music Building. Once inside the building, follow signage to the library. An elevator and an accessible restroom and telephone, and retrieval upon request are available.

Tozzer Library
Mon.–Thu. 9 am–9 pm
Fri. 9 am–5 pm; Sat. & Sun. 1 pm–5 pm
The schedule changes during intersession.
21 Divinity Avenue617-495-2253
www.hcl.harvard.edu/tozzer

Tozzer is one of the world’s foremost collections supporting the study of anthropology, extending to all its subfields including archaeology, and is renowned for collections relating to the indigenous people of the Americas.

   Access for people with disabilities is at the front entrance of the library. An elevator, an accessible restroom and telephone, and retrieval upon request are also available.

Quad Library
Mon –Thu. 1 pm–2 am; Fri. noon-5 pm; Sat.–Sun. closed
Open only during the academic year
Hilles Building
617-495-2451
www.hcl.harvard.edu/quad

The Quad Library is a comfortable study space located on the first floor of the Hilles Building in the Quad. The library holds an open-stack collection that includes high-use volumes of scholarly works, selected reference materials, and some current periodicals. There are an ample number of computer workstations with print capability, a self-service scanner and photocopier, power/data jacks, and wireless connectivity.

Harvard University Archives
Mon.-Fri., 10 am-4:45 pm
617-495-2461
Pusey Library via Lamont Library West Door
hul.harvard.edu/huarc

Permanent records of Harvard University from 1636 to the present; Harvard dissertations and undergraduate honors theses; Harvard and other historical materials, including photographs, faculty papers, and records of student organizations; records management program.

   Access for persons with disabilities: People with disabilities wishing to visit the Harvard University Archives should call 617-495-2461 in advance to make arrangements.