Service

Scan & Deliver

Request library materials and we will digitize and send them to your inbox.

How it works

See something you need in our catalog (HOLLIS) or in a Finding Aid? Ask us for a digital copy. 

Many things from our collections are already digitized, so if we already have it, we’ll send you a PDF. For items that have not yet been digitized, we can scan and send you a copy.

 

  • Request within HOLLIS - Use the “scan and deliver” request link on the HOLLIS item record. Eligible items will have the link appear in the "Get It" section of the item record. Scans are delivered via email and remain available for download for 30 days. You can manage your requests and access scans (for 30 days) from your Scan & Deliver account. 
Screen shot of Scan and Deliver link in HOLLIS

Things to Know

Scan & Deliver is available to Harvard students, faculty, fellows, and staff.

  • Non-Harvard affiliates, including researchers and members of the public, may submit requests for materials to be digitized.
  • Delivery time: Scans from HOLLIS are processed by our Access Services department and typically sent to you within four business days of request.
  • Fees: For requests over 100 pages, we may assess a fee. All digitized materials will be sent to the requestor and will be added to our digital repository for public use. Non-Harvard affiliates will also be charged a digitization fee.
  • Microform: Place your request through HOLLIS, and we'll determine the best solution for your needs. For single articles or shorter requests, we'll email you a digital copy. For longer requests, or if you need to review multiple reels, we may be able to set up a remote-viewing session.

Copyright

The purpose of the Scan & Deliver service is to provide library users with a copy of the requested material for personal use. In providing this service, we must also follow relevant copyright laws.

We legally can't fulfill requests for:

  • More than two articles or other contribution to a periodical or copyrighted collection
  • More than two chapters or other small part of any other copyrighted work
  • The service can only be used for isolated and unrelated reproduction of a single copy of the same material on separate occasions. It can't be used for the related or concerted reproduction of multiple copies of the same material—whether made at one time or over a period of time, and whether for use by one person or multiple people.
  • If a library questions whether a request complies with these requirements, the request will be sent to a librarian for consultation before a decision is made whether to fill the request.

Reproductions

Looking for a digitized copy of something from our special collections? Our reproductions service can create high-quality scans for research or publication.