Interlibrary Loan
If we don't have the item you need at Harvard Library, we may be able to obtain it via Interlibrary Loan (HarvardKey login required).
Try Interlibrary Loan when a book, DVD, or music score is unavailable through Borrow Direct and to obtain book chapters, articles, and other materials not available through Harvard Library.
• Simply fill out the ILL request form. You do not need know what libraries can lend the material.
• ISBNs, ISSNs, and OCLC numbers for the items you need will speed your requests. You can often find them in entries for a given item in catalogs like HOLLIS and WorldCat.
• Ebooks, streaming video and other e-formats cannot be obtained via ILL (except journal articles).
• Articles and book chapters are usually sent in a PDF; other material will be delivered to the library for pickup.
Contact the Harvard Library Resource Sharing staff for further information.
Not a Harvard Library patron?
• If you wish to borrow something from Harvard Library through Interlibrary Loan, please contact your local library for instructions.
• If you're an Interlibrary Loan staff member from another library, information about borrowing from HL is available on our Interlibrary Loan page.
Contact the Harvard Library Resource Sharing staff for further information.
- Ask a Librarian services, including chat and email, will be suspended from December 21, 2024 through January 1, 2025. Queries received during this time will be answered as soon as possible following our return on January 2.
- If you're experiencing an ongoing technical issue when you attempt to access library materials with your HarvardKey during these times, please report it to Library Technology Services.
Chat
Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm
Friday-Saturday 9am-5pm
Sunday 12noon-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.
Meet
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.