Resources at Harvard | Libraries

By a wide margin, Harvard's library system, with more than 100 central and auxiliary collections and nearly 15 million pieces, is the world's largest university library. Widener Library is the centerpiece of the library system, and students have full access to its 5 miles of open stacks, spread among 10 floors, which hold nearly 3 million volumes. In addition to Widener Library, there are 12 science libraries, a music library, the world's largest anthropological library, and individual House libraries, to name just a few. These vast resources contain special collections as well as all assigned and recommended reading in every course and tutorial offered.

Harvard's libraries hold treasures other than books, including a set of Harry Houdini's handcuffs, Charles Dickens's walking stick and paper knife, death masks of Oliver Cromwell and e e cummings, Emily Dickinson's sandglass, and T.S. Eliot's Panama hat. Students may read Abigail Adams's letters, Charlotte Forten Grimké's diaries, and Zora Neale Hurston's plays, among the many other manuscripts and personal writings of hundreds of authors and scholars contained in the collections. To help students acquaint themselves with the extensive resources available, librarians at Harvard offer tours and classes, reference desk assistance, either in person or online, and one-on-one consultations for in-depth assistance on research projects.

For more information about Harvard libraries, including a comprehensive list of libraries by subject, go to lib.harvard.edu.