Houghton Library

Holding Seminars at Houghton

The Seminar Room on the second floor of Houghton Library may be reserved by instructors wishing to bring a class to consult Houghton material as a group. We can accommodate up to 15 students in a session between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm on weekdays throughout the year. We can sometimes make special arrangements for class meetings outside of these hours. The room is equipped with a computer, overhead camera, and projector. If you'd like to use this equipment, please ask for a demonstration.

The Seminar Room is in great demand so early reservations are essential. To reserve the room contact Susan Halpert, or James Capobianco, Reference Librarians in the Houghton Reading Room, by phone at 617-495-2440, by fax at 617-495-1376, or by e-mail.

When you contact us to reserve the room, please let us know:

  • your goals for the session
  • whether you would like assistance selecting appropriate materials for the class
  • whether you would like us to provide a short introduction to the library for your students
  • whether you would like librarian/curatorial staff to be directly involved in the presentation. We will do our best to match you up with a Houghton staff member who has experience with the materials you want to cover.  

Curators must approve all material for use in the Seminar Room. Requests should be submitted at least one week before the class is scheduled to meet so we have sufficient time to gather material, get it approved, and find workable substitutes for any books or manuscripts that curators find too fragile for use. You may request materials in the Reading Room or submit your list via e-mail. Requests should be limited to a total of 12 books and manuscripts per class.

On the day of the class, the material will be arranged on the Seminar Room table or in a display case. Handling restrictions will be explained by Houghton staff. Only the instructor or librarian should handle the material, and books or manuscripts should never be passed from hand to hand. Students can circulate freely around the table to examine the material closely.

Please let your students know that no food or drink is permitted in the library and that no bags or knapsacks are allowed in the Seminar Room. Only pencils and notebooks are permitted for note taking. Students should bring with them as little as possible since our locker space is limited, and the lobby guard must inspect all notebooks and folders each seminar participant carries out of the seminar room.  

We look forward to having your class here at Houghton Library.