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Admittance

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, books, library materials 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.
• With the exception of licensed Service Animals, pets/animals are not allowed in the libraries.

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 617-495-2401.

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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, books, library materials 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 Cabot Science Library

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Fine Arts Library
Admittance

The Fine Arts Library at Littauer and the Digital Images & Slides Collection at Sackler are open to all individuals who hold a current Harvard ID or a HCL Special Borrower Card.

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 Visitor Access

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 universities and colleges.
• Museum curatorial staff
• Graduate students from other universities and colleges. A brief letter from a faculty advisor or librarian stating the student's research needs is required.
• Visiting researchers — An application describing the user's research needs, including those materials uniquely available at the Fine Arts Library is required.

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, books, library materials 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 Fine Arts Library

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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.

• View admittance information for other HCL libraries
• More information about the Fung Library

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Harvard Map Collection
Admittance

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 Joseph Garver 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, books, library materials and 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

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Harvard-Yenching Library
Admittance

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, books, library materials 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

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Houghton Library
Admittance

Houghton Library is open without fee to all adult researchers regardless of academic affiliation. We cannot accommodate students younger than college-age in the Reading Room, but catalogs, online finding-aids and most of the digitized items can be accessed by anyone.

All new readers to the Houghton reading rooms must register by presenting two forms of identification, which should include a photograph and a current address.

The Harvard Theatre Collection materials are accessible through the Houghton Reading Room. Audio and video materials are accessible through the Phillips Reading Room in Widener Library. 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 curator, Christina Davis, 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, books, library materials 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 Houghton Library

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Lamont Library and Woodberry Poetry Room
Admittance

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. Access to U.S. government publications is provided to members of the public with a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.).  Non-Harvard ID holders accessing the U.S. government publications must sign in at the security desk in the lobby of Lamont Library.

The Woodberry Poetry Room is open to all Harvard students, faculty, staff, alumni, and affiliates of the univeristy. Members of the public with a vaild photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) are also welcome to visit the collection, but must sign in at the security desk in the lobby of Lamont Libary. Non-Harvard ID holders who are specifically interested in using the audio-visual collection or the Blue Star collection should make an appointment in advance with the curator via email or by calling 617-495-2454.

The Poetry Room is open during Lamont Library hours, but is only staffed Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. the audio and Blue Star collections can only be accessed during staffed hours.

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, books, library materials 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 Lamont Library
• More information about Woodberry Poetry Room

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Loeb Music Library
Admittance

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, books, library materials 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 Loeb Music Library

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Tozzer Library
Admittance

Researchers who present a current university or museum photo ID may use the collections at Tozzer Library. Members of the general public who present a current photo ID are permitted up to six visits per year, after which there is a charge for use of the library.  Members of the Peabody Museum Association of Harvard's Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology may use the collections.  Requests to use Special Collections materials should be directed to Lynne M. Schmelz, Librarian of the Cabot and Tozzer Libraries.

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, books, library materials 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 Tozzer Library

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Widener Library *
Admittance

* Including Library Privileges Office

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.

For security purposes, all users' bags, briefcases, portfolios, backpacks, purses, books, library materials 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. During the times when the Library Privileges Office is closed, please go to the Circulation Desk for assistance. To get to Circulation, enter through the main door of the library.

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 other universities 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 from other universities 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.

Borrowing Privileges at the MIT Libraries for Members of the Harvard FAS Community

If you are a member of the FAS faculty, administrative or research staff (i.e., exempt FAS staff holding Officer cards), or a student of GSAS, you are eligible for borrowing privileges.  Undergraduates are not eligible. For information on how to apply, borrowing privileges, and fines and fees, please see Borrowing Privileges at the MIT Libraries for Members of the Harvard FAS Community.

 

• View admittance information for other HCL libraries
• More information about Widener Library

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