All virtual services are available and some libraries are open for in-person use, while others remain closed through January 23, 2022. Learn more.
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Unfortunately, except for the HOLLIS catalog and the Harvard Library web site, almost all online resources of the Harvard Library website are only available to Harvard ID holders (students, staff and faculty), due to the terms of our subscription agreements with online data providers.
There are some publicly accessible collections you can use: Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH, an open-access repository of research by members of the Harvard community), Harvard Digital Archives, Hathi Trust, Google Books, and especially the resources listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals.
Some US institutions have more open resources, like the New York Public Library's "The Research Library," described as "a scholarly, university level collection open to the public".
Wikipedia also has a List of Academic databases, some of which have free access --> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_databases_and_search_engines .
Also note, by searching the web, that there are free online courses offered on most academic subjects, which might be of help to your students.
Best of luck with your teaching and research.
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Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday 12-7pm
Chat is intended for brief inquiries from the Harvard community.
Reach out to librarians and other reference specialists by email using our online form. We usually respond within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Talk to a librarian for advice on defining your topic, developing your research strategy, and locating and using sources. Make an appointment now.
These services are intended primarily for Harvard University faculty, staff and students. If you are not affiliated with Harvard, please use these services only to request information about the Library and its collections.
Our chat reference and Research Appointment Request services are intended for Harvard affiliates. All others are welcome to submit questions using the form on this page.
We are happy to answer questions from all Harvard affiliates and from non-affiliates inquiring about the library's collections.
Unfortunately, we're unable to answer questions from the general public which are not directly related to Harvard Library services and collections.