Getting Started - Requesting Materials from Schlesinger Library - Research Guides at Harvard Library
Coming Soon
: Refreshed design and new features!
Schlesinger Library staff are working behind the scenes to update our research guides in 2026. Thank you for your patience!
Research Guides
Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
Requesting Materials from Schlesinger Library
Getting Started
Schlesinger Library Guide to Restricted Material
Placing Requests
Requesting with HOLLIS for Archival Discovery
Requesting with HOLLIS
Using HOLLIS Special Request to Manage Your Schlesinger Library Requests
F. A. Q.
Research Tips
Ask a Schlesinger Librarian
Getting Started with HOLLIS Special Request
Schlesinger Library's materials are requestable using your
HOLLIS Special Request account
, which allows you to place and manage your requests for access to Schlesinger Library’s materials. HOLLIS Special Request is available to Harvard and non-Harvard researchers and can be used at any
participating Harvard library or archive
All researchers must have a HOLLIS Special Request account
to request Schlesinger Library materials, including copy requests. This includes all members of a research team planning a visit to the Library. Information for research teams or researchers coordinating with a research proxy is available on our
Research Teams Guide
(Note: If you have an existing HOLLIS Special Request account you use to request from Harvard’s other special collections libraries, that account also works with Schlesinger Library’s materials!)
With your HOLLIS Special Request account you can:
Request material to access in a Reading Room
Track the status and history of your requests
Order copies of materials
Save lists of material to be requested later
Collection materials, including books, periodicals, and manuscript collections, can be requested through
HOLLIS
, Harvard library's online catalog. Requests for manuscript and archival material with an associated finding aid (guides describing the contents of archival collections) must be made at the item-level directly from the finding aid in
HOLLIS for Archival Discovery
Researchers are encouraged to place requests at least 2-3 business days in advance of visiting so we can confirm material location and access to items with restrictions. As material with restrictions may take longer to review, requesting in advance ensures staff have enough time to review and prepare materials for your use. We cannot guarantee a turnaround time regarding requests that require written permission as this is dependent on the collection’s donor or their representative. Requests for material stored offsite must be made by 2:00pm at least one business day in advance. We are able to hold up to 10 boxes from off-site storage per researcher. Requests for additional offsite boxes will be fulfilled as materials are returned to storage. Please share your questions with us using the
Ask a Schlesinger Librarian webform
Quick Start: Using HOLLIS Special Request
Have questions about getting started with HOLLIS Special Request?
Check out the
HOLLIS Special Request guide
for advice and tips.
Not sure how to place requests in HOLLIS?
Learn more in the
Requesting with HOLLIS
section of this guide.
Not sure how to make requests through a finding aid?
Review the
Requesting with HOLLIS for Archival Discovery
section of this guide and the
HOLLIS for Archival Discovery Help Guide
Still have questions?
Ask us!
Next:
Schlesinger Library Guide to Restricted Material >>
Harvard Library
Research Guides
Schlesinger Library Research Guides
Requesting Materials from Schlesinger Library
Getting Started
Apr 23, 2026 11:10 AM
URL:
Print Page
Login to LibApps
Report a problem
Subjects:
Archives
Libraries
Library Collections & Services
Women & Gender Studies
Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy
Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Harvard Radcliffe Institute
3 James St. | Cambridge, MA 02138 | 617-495-8540
Except where otherwise noted, this work is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Details and Exceptions.