What is the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room?

In September 2025, we will be opening the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room housed in the recently renovated Houghton Library.  This integrated reading room will support Harvard faculty, students, staff, fellows, and researchers from around the world and will allow researchers to access a wider range of materials—including those from Harvard University Archives, Houghton Library, the Harvard Film Archive, and the Music Library—in a single convenient and accessible location. The shared space will continue to be staffed by professional archivists and librarians committed to providing expert support and equitable access to our rich collections.   

Immediate Impacts 

How will reading room hours be impacted for summer 2025 researchers? 

• Beginning Monday, July 7, the Harvard University Archives Reading Room and the Houghton Library Reading Room will be closed on Mondays until Friday, August 29.

• The Harvard University Archives Reading Room will be open Tuesday- Friday, 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM 

• The Houghton Library Reading Room will be open Tuesday- Friday, 10:00 AM-4:45 PM. 

Fall 2025 Impacts 

When will the integrated Archives and Special Collections Reading Room open? 

• September 15, 2025 

Where will the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room be located? 

• The newly renovated reading room in Houghton Library will be used as the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room. This room offers accessible space for both individual and group study. 

What will the opening hours of the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room be? 

• Our daily business hours are communicated on our repository-specific websites.  

• Our reading rooms always close in accordance with the Harvard Holiday calendar. 

• Hours may be more variable than normal for the next several months, while we complete necessary planning and implementation steps to open the unified reading room.  

What collection material will I have access to in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room? 

Researchers will be able to access materials from: 

• Harvard University Archives  
• Houghton Library 
• Harvard Film Archive (paper-based special collections) 
• ​​​​​​​Music Library (paper-based special collections) 

What staff will be available to serve users in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room? 

• Our reading room will continue to be staffed by professional archivists and librarians who are committed to providing access to our vast and rich collections. 

• Reference staff are available in person but can also be reached via email.  

Will there be opportunities for users to provide feedback on their experiences? 

• Yes. We encourage users to complete a brief survey about their experience. Your feedback helps us improve workflows, communication, and overall service. 

Campus Stakeholder Impact 

I am a Harvard administrator or staff member from an office whose records have been transferred to the Harvard University Archives.  How does this change impact me?  

• We expect no significant change in service. Administrative users of institutional records will still view records in University Archives spaces in Pusey Library.   Our Archivists will continue to be available to assist you--please contact us directly so we can ensure you have everything you need.