Widener Library
Widener Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built in the early 1900s by Eleanor Elkins Widener, it was given to Harvard as a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic.
Library Tools & Services
Contact Information
About
Collections
Library Services
Library Staff
Visitor Policies
Accessibility
- Main:
- (617) 495-2413
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, it is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic. It had been Harry's plan to donate his personal collection to the University once it provided a suitable alternative to the outdated and inadequate library then located in Gore Hall. Mrs. Widener fulfilled her son's dream by building a facility of monumental proportions, with over 50 miles of shelves and the capacity to hold over three million volumes.
Study Carrels
Scanners (Color)
Scanners (B&W)
Public Computer Terminals
Copiers
Cafe
Group Study Rooms
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, it is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic. It had been Harry's plan to donate his personal collection to the University once it provided a suitable alternative to the outdated and inadequate library then located in Gore Hall. Mrs. Widener fulfilled her son's dream by building a facility of monumental proportions, with over 50 miles of shelves and the capacity to hold over three million volumes.
- Study Carrels
- Scanners (Color)
- Scanners (B&W)
- Public Computer Terminals
- Copiers
- Cafe
- Group Study Rooms
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, it is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic. It had been Harry's plan to donate his personal collection to the University once it provided a suitable alternative to the outdated and inadequate library then located in Gore Hall. Mrs. Widener fulfilled her son's dream by building a facility of monumental proportions, with over 50 miles of shelves and the capacity to hold over three million volumes.
- Study Carrels
- Scanners (Color)
- Scanners (B&W)
- Public Computer Terminals
- Copiers
- Cafe
- Group Study Rooms
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, it is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic. It had been Harry's plan to donate his personal collection to the University once it provided a suitable alternative to the outdated and inadequate library then located in Gore Hall. Mrs. Widener fulfilled her son's dream by building a facility of monumental proportions, with over 50 miles of shelves and the capacity to hold over three million volumes.
- Study Carrels
- Scanners (Color)
- Scanners (B&W)
- Public Computer Terminals
- Copiers
- Cafe
- Group Study Rooms
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, it is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic. It had been Harry's plan to donate his personal collection to the University once it provided a suitable alternative to the outdated and inadequate library then located in Gore Hall. Mrs. Widener fulfilled her son's dream by building a facility of monumental proportions, with over 50 miles of shelves and the capacity to hold over three million volumes.
- Study Carrels
- Scanners (Color)
- Scanners (B&W)
- Public Computer Terminals
- Copiers
- Cafe
- Group Study Rooms
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, it is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic. It had been Harry's plan to donate his personal collection to the University once it provided a suitable alternative to the outdated and inadequate library then located in Gore Hall. Mrs. Widener fulfilled her son's dream by building a facility of monumental proportions, with over 50 miles of shelves and the capacity to hold over three million volumes.
- Study Carrels
- Scanners (Color)
- Scanners (B&W)
- Public Computer Terminals
- Copiers
- Cafe
- Group Study Rooms
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library is Harvard University's flagship library. Built with a gift from Eleanor Elkins Widener, it is a memorial to her son, Harry, Class of 1907, an enthusiastic young bibliophile who perished aboard the Titanic. It had been Harry's plan to donate his personal collection to the University once it provided a suitable alternative to the outdated and inadequate library then located in Gore Hall. Mrs. Widener fulfilled her son's dream by building a facility of monumental proportions, with over 50 miles of shelves and the capacity to hold over three million volumes.
- Study Carrels
- Scanners (Color)
- Scanners (B&W)
- Public Computer Terminals
- Copiers
- Cafe
- Group Study Rooms
Research Collection
Widener holds one of the world's most comprehensive research collections in the humanities and social sciences. See Widener Collections for an in depth description.
Harry Elkins Widener Special Collection
Harry Elkins Widener (1885-1912), Harvard Class of 1907, formed an extraordinary collection of books, manuscripts, and drawings during his short lifetime. His original library, collected prior to his death on the Titanic in 1912, consists of approximately 3,300 volumes housed in the Memorial Room in Widener Library. See the History of the Harry Elkins Widener Collection online exhibition for more information.
- Research Appointments
- Research Services
- Ask a Librarian
| - | ||
| Head of Services for Academic Programs | farwell@fas.harvard.edu | |
| Research Librarian | burchst@fas.harvard.edu | |
| Research Librarian | aesty@fas.harvard.edu | |
| Curricular Design and Research Librarian | rlislam@fas.harvard.edu | |
| Slavic Librarian | hpyro@fas.harvard.edu | |
| Slavic librarian | rakityan@fas.harvard.edu | |
| Research Librarian | ksheehan@fas.harvard.edu |
- Visitor
Widener Library is a research institution for the use of Harvard students, faculty, staff and visiting researchers, and is not open for public visitation or tours by individuals not affiliated with the University. Individuals who want to use one of the Harvard libraries for research should first visit the Library Privileges Office. The office is located on the first floor of Widener Library, Room 130. See Widener Library's admittance policy and library hours.
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Enter the library through the Mass. Ave door at the back of the building. The security guard can give you directions. Elevators go to all levels of the building and most bathrooms are accessible.
The Newspaper and Microfilm Reading Room on the first floor has two computers equipped with Zoomtext 8.0 and JAWS software; one has the capability to play back materials in CD format. Headphones for use with JAWS are available at the desk. A CCTV system for enlarging printed text is available upon request.Users with disabilities are advised to schedule a preliminary, in-person consultation to discuss their research and physical access needs and for a brief orientation to the building and library services.For further information contact, Francesca Giacchino via e-mail (fgiacch@fas.harvard.edu) or by phone 617-495-2414. See Widener Library Disability Services.
