Woodberry Poetry Room | Harvard Library

Woodberry Poetry Room | Harvard Library Woodberry Poetry Room A warm, welcoming reading room and celebrated architectural landmark that houses one of the largest collections of literary recordings in the United States. Today's Hours View all General 10am - 10pm Reference 10am - 5pm Special Collections By Appointment “Let us go & make our visit....” Learn About Events Explore Our Collections Discover Our History Events The Poetry Room hosts a popular series of readings, lectures, seminars, and oral histories throughout the academic year. All of our events are free and open to the public (and most are livestreamed). Explore our Spring 2026 Events Boston Originals: Midwinter Reading & Party Thursday, February 26 at 6:00pm Free and open to the public Wax Poetics: Ishion Hutchinson on Kamau Brathwaite Thursday, March 12 at 6:00pm Free and open to the public Penitential Cries: Susan Howe's Spectral Library Friday, April 3 from 9:30am-5pm Registration required Collections The Poetry Room is home to a breathtaking range of collections, including a landmark archive of literary recordings, a selection of 20th and 21st century monographs and literary magazines , and a collection of rare books and manuscripts . While all collections are open to the public, circulating privileges are restricted to Harvard affiliates. Learn about our Collections Collection Archive of Literary Recordings Collection Blue Star Collection Collection Circulating & Serials Collection Digital Collection The Listening Booth Collection Frederick C. Packard, Jr. Sound Recordings Collection Poetry Room Architectural and Historical Photographs Classes & Tours Submit a Class Request (link is external, opens in a new tab) For faculty, graduate students, and educators wishing to schedule classes or seminars Email to Discuss Tours (link is external, opens in a new tab) To discuss group tours or a more formal use of the space Creative Fellowships Each year the WPR Creative Fellowship supports projects by poets, writers, artists, and scholars who are interested in generating new work that further actualizes the Poetry Room’s collections — particularly the audio-video archive. Apply for the WPR Creative Fellowship About the Poetry Room With over 6,000 literary recordings on a range of media that span the 20th and 21st centuries, the Poetry Room is home to one of the earliest and largest “library of voices” in the United States (1933–present). Learn about the Library of Voices Access The Woodberry Poetry Room, located at Lamont Library, is open to the public. Please inform Lamont security that you're “visiting the Poetry Room.” A form of photo ID is required. Non-Harvard affiliates interested in borrowing books can apply for a borrower’s card Our Blue Star collection and archival AV collections can be requested for viewing at Houghton Library Location Lamont Library, Room 330 11 Quincy Street Cambridge MA 02138 United States Two Roads Diverged (Google Maps) Accessibility FAQ Connect General poetryrm@fas.harvard.edu 617-495-2454 Staff Blog