How do I request and access items from the Harvard Archives?

Requests for material held by the Harvard University Archives cannot be made in HOLLIS.

Once you've identified material of interest in HOLLIS, contact the University Archives reference staff directly at archives_reference@harvard.edu or via Ask an Archivist call 617-495-2461 to arrange a visit to our reading room. Reading room hours are 10:30am-4:30pm weekdays.

Please note that many items are stored off site and require at least 24 hours notice for retrieval.

Service Alert:
Winter Recess: Harvard Library and the University are closed from noon on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 through Thursday, January 1, 2026. Any questions sent during this period will be answered following our return on January 2, 2026.

 

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Chat is intended for brief inquiries from the Harvard community.

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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.