Harvard Library System

Harvard Library  

We are the libraries and archives of Harvard University.  

At Harvard Library, we are champions of curiosity. We aim to be global leaders in expanding world knowledge and intellectual exploration. We engage with our communities in the creation and sharing of new knowledge, connecting them with the vast collections that we curate and steward through collaborations around the world.   

At its core, our mission for nearly four centuries has been to advance the learning, research, and pursuit of truth that are at the heart of Harvard.    

We have over 800 staff engaging with scholars and students across more than 25 libraries and around the world. With over 20 million physical and digital items, our vast collections are renowned for their global reach and depth, with resources spanning the development of all disciplines and more than 460 languages.  

Our rare and special collections are amongst the most remarkable in the world, ranging from medieval manuscripts to sound recordings of modern poets and from early maps to digital images. We collect collaboratively with peer institutions and facilitate international open access, seeking to build a diverse, open corpus of knowledge with scholars and citizens everywhere.  

Established in 1638, we are the oldest library system in the United States and the world’s largest academic library. 

library.harvard.edu 

Explore Libraries 

Harvard Library is a multi-library system with more than 25 locations across campus and beyond. library.harvard.edu/libraries 

Special Collections and Archives 

Harvard Library is home to all kinds of historical documents and objects. Discover primary sources including letters, photographs, books, scores, and digital materials, many of which have been digitized.  

How to Use Harvard’s Special Collections and Archives  

Digital Collections 

Harvard Digital Collections provides free, public access to more than 6 million objects digitized from our collections - from ancient art to modern manuscripts and audio-visual materials.  

Use CURIOSity Digital Collections for curated views of Harvard's digital collections. 

Teaching Support 

Teaching a class? Let our expert staff help you get the most out of the library for your courses. We can help you find materials, create course guides, and provide library instruction and library visits for your class. 

https://library.harvard.edu/services-tools/teach-library 

Popular Library Services and Tools: 

Ask a Librarian - Get immediate help during our live chat hours or submit a question. 

Check Harvard Library Bookmark - Before you subscribe to a journal or buy an article, check to see if you have access through Harvard Library. 

Lean Library browser extension - Use this browser extension to seamlessly access Harvard Library resources from anywhere on the web. 

HOLLIS, library catalog - HOLLIS is Harvard Library's catalog. Search HOLLIS for books, articles, media and more.  

New York Times - Claim your free New York Times digital account and search their archives. 

Scan & Deliver - Request library materials—from book chapters and periodicals to special collections and ephemera—and we will digitize and send them to your inbox.