Harvard Library

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Harvard Library is the umbrella organization for the libraries of Harvard University, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of the largest academic library systems in the world, with a vast collection of books, manuscripts, maps, and other materials.

History[edit | edit source]

The origins of Harvard Library date back to 1638, when John Harvard bequeathed his collection of 400 books to the newly established Harvard College. This initial donation laid the foundation for what would become an extensive and diverse library system.

Collections[edit | edit source]

Harvard Library's collections encompass a wide range of subjects and formats. The library holds over 20 million volumes, including rare books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and digital resources. Notable collections include the Harvard-Yenching Library, which specializes in East Asian studies, and the Houghton Library, which houses rare books and manuscripts.

Libraries[edit | edit source]

The Harvard Library system comprises more than 70 individual libraries, each serving different academic disciplines and research needs. Some of the prominent libraries include:

Widener Library: The largest library in the system, focusing on humanities and social sciences.
Lamont Library: Primarily an undergraduate library with a focus on the humanities and social sciences.
Cabot Science Library: Specializes in science and engineering resources.
Harvard Law School Library: One of the largest academic law libraries in the world.

Services[edit | edit source]

Harvard Library offers a wide range of services to support research, teaching, and learning. These services include:

Reference and research assistance
Interlibrary loan and document delivery
Digital collections and online resources
Special collections and archives access
Workshops and instructional sessions

Digital Initiatives[edit | edit source]

Harvard Library is actively involved in various digital initiatives to enhance access to its collections. The Harvard Library Innovation Lab works on projects that leverage technology to improve library services and user experience. The library also participates in the Google Books Library Project, which aims to digitize and make accessible millions of books from its collections.