Admittance
On Commencement Day, Thursday, June 5, HCL libraries and units located in Harvard Yard will be closed or observe limited hours. Widener and Lamont libraries will be closed to patrons until noon. Houghton Library, Loeb Music Library, the Harvard Map Collection, and the Harvard Theatre Collection will be closed all day.
Select A Library
- Library Privileges Office
- Cabot
- Environmental Information Services
- Fine Arts
- Fung
- Government Information Services
- Harvard Film Archive
- Harvard Map Collection
- Harvard Theatre Collection
- Harvard-Yenching
- Houghton
- Lamont
- Loeb Music
- Numeric Data Services
- Quad
- Tozzer
- Widener
- Woodberry Poetry Room
- Harvard Libraries
In general. . .
- The libraries of the Harvard College Library are reserved for the use of Harvard students, faculty, staff, and visiting researchers. Harvard affiliates are admitted upon presentation of a current Harvard ID.
- Non-Harvard affiliates can inquire about their eligibility to use the libraries at the Library Privileges Office, Widener Library.
- All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
- For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the libraries. We appreciate your cooperation.
- Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
Harvard libraries, University departments, or Harvard-affiliated centers that would like to bring guests or visiting dignitaries to visit any of the libraries within the Harvard College Library must first contact Elizabeth Johnson in the Office of the Librarian either by e-mail or by phone at
Cabot Science Library
Admittance
Cabot Science Library admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID or an HCL Special Borrower Card, and Extension School degree candidates. Cabot is also open to non-degree Extension School students who present their current course registration and a photo ID. Non-Harvard students and affiliates must present a current photo ID from another educational institution and sign in at the Security Desk.
Please note that when the library is open 24 hours during exams in January and May, admittance is limited between the hours of 10:00 pm–8:00 am to Harvard ID holders and Extension School students.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
Fine Arts Library
Admittance
Members of the Harvard Community
The Fine Arts Library admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID, an HCL Special Borrower Card, and other selected types of valid Harvard IDs, such as those for special program students at the Graduate School of Design or the Landscape Institute of the Arnold Arboretum. Borrowing privileges vary.
The Harvard Film Archive is located in the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts. The HFA is open to scholars and researchers during regular Hours or by appointment. For an appointment, contact Steffen Pierce, Technical Services Film Specialist, via e-mail or at 617-496-6607.
Fine Arts Library Access Pass
Fine Arts Library access passes are issued for specific time periods based on identified research needs. Access passes grant entrance to the library without borrowing privileges. Access pass holders must sign in with the Security Desk staff at the Prescott Street entrance and present the FAL Access Pass, a current photo ID, and Social Security number at each visit.
The following individuals are eligible to apply for a Fine Arts Library Access Pass, with a current institutional photo ID. To apply, contact the library's Public Services Department via e-mail.
- Faculty from other schools
- Museum curatorial staff
- Graduate students from other schools—we require a brief letter from a faculty member or librarian stating the student's research needs
- Other researchers—we require a letter describing the user's research needs, including those materials uniquely available at the Fine Arts Library
- Individuals with a three-month or one-year Widener Library Stacks Access Card
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
Fung Library
Admittance
Fung Library, located on the lower level of the Knafel Building, admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID or an HCL Special Borrower Card. The library also provides access to its stacks to students, faculty, and researchers of other universities, colleges, and research centers who present a current institutional ID, letter from their faculty, passport, or other official form of ID.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available at each HCL library.
Harvard Map Collection
Admittance
On Commencement Day, Thursday, June 5, the Harvard Map Collection will be closed.
The Harvard Map Collection is open to all researchers regardless of affiliation. Users must present a photo ID to enter the building.
Group tours and classes must be arranged in advance by contacting David Cobb via e-mail.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, drawing tubes, etc. must be secured in the lockers provided before accessing library materials. Users may request a locker key from the reference desk in the Map Collection. Only small notebooks and pencils are allowing in the reading room.
In addition, all patrons' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
- View admittance information for other HCL libraries
- More information about the Harvard Map Collection
Harvard-Yenching Library
Admittance
Basement-level Chinese stacks to be closed June 6 - September 14, 2008
Over the summer part of the compact shelving system in the basement-level Chinese stacks area of Harvard-Yenching Library will be replaced.
From June 6 – September 14, 2008, the area will be off limits to patrons and to staff.
Affected collections:
- Chinese-language HY collection (100 - 9999 , including folio/oversize works)
- Chinese-language LC collection from (C)A – (C)PL2680
(LC = Library of Congress cataloging system; HY = Harvard-Yenching cataloging system)
The Korean and Vietnamese collections will NOT be affected. Basement-level staff offices will also remain open. See the Harvard-Yenching Library Map.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we improve our facilities. If there is anything we can do to facilitate your research given these limitations, please e-mail Access Services or the Reference Desk or call 617-495-2756.
Harvard-Yenching Library admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID or an HCL Special Borrower Card. The library provides access to its reading rooms and stacks to students, faculty, and researchers of other universities, colleges, and research centers who present a current institutional ID and register at the Circulation Desk.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
- View admittance information for other HCL libraries
- More information about the Harvard-Yenching Library
Houghton Library
Admittance
On Commencement Day, Thursday, June 5, Houghton Library and the Harvard Theatre Collection will be closed.
Houghton Library is open without fee to all adult researchers regardless of academic affiliation.
All new readers to the Houghton or Harvard Theatre Collection reading rooms must register by presenting two forms of identification, which should include a photograph and a current address.
The Harvard Theatre Collection Robert Jordan Reading Room is located in Pusey Library adjacent to Houghton. Access is via the west door or Lamont Library. First time users must register between 1:00 pm–5:00 pm, Monday–Friday. Researchers coming from outside Harvard are strongly urged to contact the curator, Frederic W. Wilson, via e-mail in advance.
The Theodore Roosevelt Collection is located in both Houghton and Widener libraries. Researchers coming from outside Harvard are strongly urged to contact the curator, Wallace Dailey, via e-mail in advance for access to the collection.
The Woodberry Poetry Room is located in Lamont Library. See Lamont Admittance for details. Researchers coming from outside Harvard are strongly urged to contact the Poetry Room via e-mail in advance.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
Lamont Library *
Admittance
* Including Environmental Information Services, Government Information Services, Numeric Data Services, Quad Library, Social Sciences Program, and Woodberry Poetry Room
On Commencement Day, Thursday, June 5, Lamont Library will be closed to patrons until noon.
Lamont Library admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID, an HCL Special Borrower Card, or a Widener Library Stacks Access Card. Both the Special Borrower Card and the Stacks Access Card can be obtained at the Library Privileges Office in Widener during business hours, Monday–Friday, 9 am–4:45 pm.
Quad Library, which is located at 59 Shepard St. in the Hilles Building, admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID or an HCL Special Borrower Card. The Special Borrower Card can be obtained at the Library Privileges Office in Widener during business hours, Monday–Friday, 9 am–4:45 pm.
Researchers coming from outside Harvard to visit the Woodberry Poetry Room (a division of Houghton Library housed in Lamont) are strongly urged to contact the Poetry Room via e-mail in advance.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
Loeb Music Library
Admittance
On Commencement Day, Thursday, June 5, the Loeb Music Library will be closed.
Loeb Music Library admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID. Researchers and professional musicians who are not affiliated with Harvard are encouraged to contact Public Services in advance via e-mail or at 617-495-2794, and will be required to present a valid photo ID and register at the Circulation Desk each visit.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
Tozzer Library
Admittance
Tozzer Library admits all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID or an HCL Special Borrower Card. Members of the public who present current photo IDs are permitted up to six free visits per year, after which there is a charge for use of the library.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
Widener Library *
Admittance
* Including Library Privileges Office
On Commencement Day, Thursday, June 5, Widener Library will be closed to patrons until noon. The Office of the Librarian and other administrative offices will remain closed all day.
Widener Library is a research institution for the use of Harvard students, faculty, staff, and visiting researchers, and is not open for public visitation or tours by individuals not affiliated with the University.
A University PIN is required to access many online library resources. Harvard University faculty, students, and staff may request a PIN at http://www.pin.harvard.edu/.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
Library Privileges
Office
Monday–Friday, 9 am–4:45 pm
Widener Library, Room 130
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-495-4166
E-mail
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the libraries. We appreciate your cooperation.
Please note that it is University policy for doorcheckers to confiscate a Harvard ID if it has expired or if someone other than the ID holder attempts to use it to enter a library.
The Widener Library building and stacks are open to all individuals who possess a current Harvard ID. Extension School Affiliates, Alumni/ae, Faculty at Other Institutions, Ph.D. Candidates at Other Institutions, and Other Researchers Not Affiliated with Harvard University may apply for admittance to Widener and other libraries throughout Harvard at the Library Privileges Office. Fees may apply.
Children under 16 years of age are not permitted in the stacks.
Various types of library access are available to qualified researchers:
Extension School Affiliates
- All Extension School students who have not yet been accepted into an Extension School degree or certificate program may obtain a Widener Library Reading Room Privileges Card for the term in which they are enrolled upon presentation of a valid photo ID and a copy of their Extension School registration confirmation form.
- Extension School graduate students who are taking graduate level courses who have not yet been accepted into a graduate degree or certificate program may purchase a HCL Special Borrower Card for $100 per term upon presentation of their registration confirmation form with at least one course designated for graduate credit and with a valid photo ID.
- Students who are accepted into an Extension School degree program and who have been issued a plastic Harvard ID card by the Extension School have full library privileges. (Consult with individual libraries for specific policies.)
- Extension School faculty who have been issued a plastic Harvard ID card by the Extension School have full library privileges. (Consult with individual libraries for specific policies.)
Alumni/ae
- Alumni/ae of Harvard University and Radcliffe College are welcome to visit the libraries that are a part of the Harvard College Library. During business hours, please enter Widener Library through the main door and go the Privileges Office (617-495-4166; open Monday–Friday, 9 am–4:45 pm) on the left. During non-business hours, identify yourself as an alum to the security guard, who will admit you to the circulation desk. The circulation supervisor will issue you a temporary pass to visit the public areas. You may bring up to four guests.
- Alumni/ae may be admitted to the Widener stacks and most Harvard College libraries six days per 12-month period (not necessarily consecutive) without fee with an official Widener Library Stacks Access Card. For official entrance to Widener, please enter through the main door and go the Privileges Office (617-495-4166; open Monday–Friday, 9 am–4:45 pm) on the left. The card is valid for 12 months from the day of the initial visit.
- Alumni/ae who do not wish to make regular use of the libraries may borrow a maximum of six normally circulating Widener Library books per 12-month period without fee using the official Widener Library Stacks Access Card.
- Alumni/ae may also obtain unlimited Reading Room privileges without fee. Reading Room Privileges do not permit access to the Widener stacks.
- Alumni/ae who require regular borrowing and/or stacks browsing privileges at Widener Library and certain other libraries may purchase an HCL Special Borrower Card.
Faculty at Other Institutions
- Faculty members and professional staff from Research Libraries Group (RLG) member institutions are eligible for unlimited Widener Library Reading Room Privileges without fee by presenting their university faculty/professional ID card at the Library Privileges Office.
- Faculty members and professional staff from universities not affiliated with RLG are eligible for Widener Library Reading Room Privileges for six days per 12 month period (not necessarily consecutive) without fee by presenting their university faculty/professional ID card.
- Faculty members and professional staff from other universities also have the option of purchasing an HCL Special Borrower Card by presenting their faculty/professional ID card at the Library Privileges Office.
Ph.D. Candidates at Other Institutions
- Ph.D. candidates in a doctoral program at Research Libraries Group (RLG) member universities are eligible for unlimited Widener Library Reading Room Privileges without fee by presenting a letter from their thesis adviser confirming that they are in the process of writing a dissertation along with their graduate student ID card.
- Ph.D. candidates from universities not affiliated with RLG are eligible for Widener Library Reading Room Privileges for six days per 12 month period without fee by presenting a letter from their thesis adviser confirming that they are in the process of writing a dissertation along with their graduate student ID card.
- Ph.D. candidates from other universities also have the option of purchasing an HCL Special Borrower Card by presenting a letter from their thesis adviser confirming that they are in the process of writing a dissertation along with their graduate student ID card.
Other Researchers Not Affiliated with Harvard University
Other visitors not affiliated with Harvard University who wish to use Widener Library materials, including the Newspaper Microfilm Reading Room, may apply for Widener Library Reading Room Privileges for six days (not necessarily consecutive) without fee. The privileges are valid for 12 months from the day of the initial visit. To do so, they must present a letter to the Library Privileges Office from the reference librarian of their university or Boston metropolitan public library stating that the specific library materials needed are not available elsewhere. In addition, visitors must present a valid photo ID.
All library users are subject to the terms of the HCL Patron Agreement, which is posted in student handbooks, on this site, and available in hard copy at each HCL library.
For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, and drawing tubes are inspected as users exit the library. We appreciate your cooperation.
