When the Harvard Library Discovery Center opens in Widener Library in fall 2026, it will serve as Harvard Library’s new gateway to knowledge, a welcoming space where students, scholars and visitors can get an introduction to Harvard’s vast collections, resources and expertise.
Anne-Marie Eze, project lead for Harvard Library’s Public Engagement Project, spoke with us about the vision behind the Discovery Center and how it will connect Harvard’s scholarship across the campus and with the wider world.
Q: What is the Discovery Center, and what inspired its creation?
Anne-Marie Eze: The Discovery Center is a new initiative that will make Widener Library the primary entry point, or “front door,” for the Harvard Library system. When someone crosses the threshold into Widener, we want them to feel welcome right away. The Discovery Center will be a space where anyone in the Harvard community, as well as visitors, can get an introduction to the University. We’ll help people understand how to find and use the Library’s collections, resources, expert staff, and the full range of experiences that are available to them here.
We were inspired to create the Discovery Center by Harvard’s deep commitment to academic excellence and the idea that libraries really are at the heart of the university experience. Widener is the world’s largest academic library and it’s an iconic part of Harvard Yard — a symbol of Harvard’s long tradition of research and learning. But right now, Widener doesn’t really have a place specifically for welcoming and orienting Harvard affiliates, their guests, or the public. The Discovery Center will fill that gap. It will serve as a vibrant and welcoming gateway, connecting people to everything the Harvard Library has to offer.
Q: How does the Discovery Center fit into Harvard Library’s larger academic mission?
Eze: Harvard Library’s mission is to advance learning, research, and the pursuit of truth, not just for Harvard, but for the broader public good. The Discovery Center supports this mission by making the breadth of our collections and resources easier to grasp, and helping people get started understanding what’s available, who can make use of them, and how to access them. Our aim is for everyone — students, faculty, community members, or visitors — to feel comfortable and confident exploring the library system. In essence, the Discovery Center opens the door for more people to connect with Harvard’s knowledge and resources in a way that is accessible, welcoming, and straightforward. And, it will engage students and faculty in making those connections through its programs.
Q: How does the Discovery Center relate to the expert guidance and research support provided by librarians?
Eze: The Discovery Center is really designed to help people navigate the breadth of expertise and research support available through Harvard Library. We know it can sometimes be daunting to figure out where to start, so the Center will provide a clear, high-level overview of how to access librarian expertise and research services across the system. Not every service is available to everyone, but our aim is to demystify the process — making it easier to understand what’s on offer, who it’s for, and how to get started or go deeper. In essence, we want everyone to leave with a much clearer sense of how to connect with the Library’s people and resources in a way that fits their needs.
Q: Who are you hoping to reach through the Discovery Center?
Eze: We’re designing the Discovery Center for anyone who’s a new member of the Harvard community or visiting campus, whether they’re here for a day or for years. That includes prospective and new students with their families, visiting scholars, and members of the public who might be stepping into Harvard Yard for the very first time.
And we also want to welcome back faculty and staff from across the University, as well as alumni and local community members, people who might visit the Library many times over the years. We imagine many of them will use the Discovery Center to introduce guests who are newcomers or visitors, and also to keep up with what’s new at the Library. The Discovery Center will be a place where anyone, whether it’s their very first visit or their hundredth, can discover something new about the Library, its collections, resources, and the different ways to engage with Harvard Library.
Q: What can visitors expect when the Discovery Center opens in Fall 2026?
Eze: When the Discovery Center opens in Fall 2026, visitors will be welcomed by library staff and students into a friendly and inviting space on the first floor of Widener Library, overlooking Tercentenary Theatre. With its windows offering a direct view onto the bustle of Harvard Yard, the Center will give visitors a literal window onto campus life. Inside, they’ll find an engaging overview of the history of Harvard and its library, spanning four centuries from the 1630s to the present, along with the fascinating story and present day of Widener Library itself. There will be curated resources and information to help orient them to the Harvard Library system today, along with exhibitions drawn from collections across the entire Library system. Visitors will also have the opportunity to join guided tours of the building. For those unable to visit in person, or who want to learn more from afar, many aspects of the Discovery Center will also be available online.
Q: You’ve described this as a fiscally responsible project. What does that mean in practice?
Eze: We’re taking a careful and sustainable approach with the Discovery Center. The project was originally envisioned on a much larger scale, but we’ve refocused on using rooms 130 and 135 and the East Corridor, which are just to the left as you enter Widener from the main entrance.
By reimagining this existing area, we can open sooner, operate on a reduced budget, and focus on what matters most: connecting people with Harvard Library’s collections, spaces and expertise. We’re also planning for future sustainability, including potential revenue activities such as guided tours, similar to those offered in Harvard Yard.
Q: Finally, what do you hope visitors take away from their experience at the Discovery Center?
Eze: I hope visitors leave with positive memories of being truly welcomed. I want them to come away with a solid grasp of what Harvard Library has to offer, a clear understanding of the Library’s role at Harvard, and a renewed appreciation for libraries more generally. Most of all, I hope their visit inspires them to explore even more of the Harvard Library system, both in person and online, long after they leave the Discovery Center.