Widener Library | Harvard Library

Widener Library | Harvard Library Widener Library At the heart of Harvard Yard, Widener Library provides expansive research collections in a historic, inspiring space. Today's Hours View all General 9am - 10pm Widener Stacks 9am - 9:45pm Widener Reading Room 10am - 5pm Harvard Library Access and Borrowing Office Virtual Services 9AM - 5PM Welcome to Widener Library, Harvard’s Flagship Library Widener Library, one of dozens of Harvard Library locations across campus and beyond, offers inspiring study spaces, miles of stacks to explore, and friendly librarians ready to help. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, the library is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907. The History of Widener Library Information for Harvard Library Visitors How to Find Books in the Stacks (PDF) (link is external, opens in a new tab) Study Spaces at Widener From silent, light-filled study spaces to individual desks hidden throughout the stacks, Widener Library has spaces to suit any study need. Explore All Widener Study Spaces Apply for a Carrel Loker Reading Room The renowned silent study space in Widener Library, perfect for those who want to study in complete silence or take a nap. Atkins Reference Room Public computers and a reference librarian who's present daily to assist with reference questions, developing research strategies and more. Phillips Reading Room A quiet, light-filled open space with desks that seat four people and comfortable seating for taking a break. Study Carrels These reservable individual desks are hidden throughout the stacks and include space to hold materials. Widener Library Tours for the Harvard Community Join us for an introduction to Widener’s collections, an orientation to the building, and an overview of services available to library patrons. Tours are open to Harvard ID holders and up to four of their guests. Register for an Upcoming Tour Research Services & Support at Harvard Library Library Access and Borrowing Cards Researchers can apply to borrow circulating materials or access our physical spaces. Researching with Special Collections and Archives Harvard Library’s special collections and archives are open to all researchers. Use Harvard Library as an Alum Access a growing number of electronic resources available to alumni. Tool Collections Explorer AI-powered discovery across Harvard’s special collections and archives, currently in beta. Service Copies & Reproductions On-demand digitization of Harvard Library collection items. Tool DASH An open access repository of research by the Harvard community. Tool Calendar of Harvard History A lot has happened since 1636. Use the Calendar of Harvard History to explore the people, places, and events that have shaped Harvard over time. Tool Harvard Library APIs & Datasets Harvard Library provides open access to our metadata through APIs, including LibraryCloud and the Caselaw Access Project. Collection Highlights Widener Library holds millions of volumes in over 100 languages, with strengths in humanities and social sciences, plus rare books and specialized research collections. Explore Harvard Library Collections Physical & Digital The Gutenberg Bible Public Access Data and Government Information Collections Digital Exhibit Immigration to the United States, 1789-1930 Digital Exhibit Latin American Pamphlets Collection Judaica Collection Explore Widener Library The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University’s flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, the library is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907. Harry was an enthusiastic young bibliophile who died aboard the Titanic Learn More About Widener Library Take a Virtual Tour of Widener Library Gaze up at the skylights of the Loker Reading Room, wander through the stacks, examine the bookshelves holding Harry Widener’s personal collection. The History and Architecture of Widener Library Explore how the construction of Widener Library transformed Harvard’s campus physically and intellectually in this online exhibit. The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Collection Collected prior to his death, this collection consists of approximately 3,300 volumes housed in the Memorial Rooms of Widener Library. Access Widener Library is open to Harvard ID holders, who may bring up to four guests. Visiting researchers can apply for access. Visitor Access & Borrowing Cards Location 1 Harvard Yard Cambridge MA 02138 United States Directions Building Accessibility Connect General widren@fas.harvard.edu 617-495-2413