Houghton Library

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Houghton Library is the primary repository for rare books and manuscripts at Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is part of the Harvard Library system and serves as a major center for research in the humanities.

History

Houghton Library was established in 1942, named after Arthur A. Houghton Jr., a Harvard alumnus and benefactor. The library was designed by the architectural firm of Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch, and Abbott and is situated in Harvard Yard, adjacent to Widener Library.

Collections

Houghton Library's collections are vast and diverse, encompassing a wide range of materials from different periods and regions. The library holds significant collections in the following areas:

• Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts
• Early modern printed books
• American literature
• English literature
• Theater and performing arts
• Historical documents and archives

Notable items in the collection include a Gutenberg Bible, the papers of Emily Dickinson, and the John Keats collection.

Facilities and Services

Houghton Library provides a variety of services to support research and scholarship. These include:

• Reading rooms for accessing rare and fragile materials
• Reference services and research consultations
• Exhibitions showcasing items from the collections
• Digital collections and online resources

Access and Use

The library is open to Harvard students, faculty, and staff, as well as to external researchers and the general public. Access to certain materials may require prior arrangement due to their rarity and fragility.

Related Pages

• Harvard University
• Harvard Library
• Widener Library
• Arthur A. Houghton Jr.
• Gutenberg Bible
• Emily Dickinson
• John Keats

See Also

• List of libraries in the United States
• Rare book libraries