Request & Borrow
Use HOLLIS, the library catalog, to search for the materials you need.
There you can see if there's a physical copy available on campus and where to find it, or request pickup from the library of your choice. Book pickup requests are filled in 1 to 4 business days. Look for the "Request Pickup" link in HOLLIS to submit your request.
If you can't get to the library to pick something up, you can try our Scan & Deliver service. Look for "Scan & Deliver" under the access options for your item, submit a request, and we'll scan a journal article or book chapter and deliver it to you via email.
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Find and request books, articles, media, and more
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A free electronic delivery service for the Harvard community
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Submit your request and we'll search other libraries for what you need
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By using our spaces or collections, you agree to follow our Patron Agreement
Loan Periods & Recalls
HOLLIS is where you can track your library loans, renew items, check due dates and more. After logging in, click your name in the top right corner, then "My Account."
- Loan periods: Materials are generally loaned for a semester at a time. Specific loan period details are noted with the item listing in HOLLIS. Tech loan items have shorter loan periods.
- Renewals: If no other library users have requested the regular loan materials you've checked out, the loan period will automatically be renewed up to five times.
- Returns: You can return circulating library materials to any Harvard library.
- Recalls: All regular loan materials are subject to recall at any time at the library’s discretion. If an item you've checked out is recalled, we'll notify you via email.
Fines & Fees
Replacement fees for lost or long-overdue materials vary depending on the item and the holding library. Fines for late return of course reserve items and other short-term loans, such as tech loan items, also vary between libraries.
- Standard Overdue Fines: None.
- Recalled Materials: $3 per day, maximum of $45 per item.
- Reserve Materials and Other Short-Term Loans: $3 per hour.
- Replacement Fee for Lost or Long-Overdue Materials: Standard fees are $100 replacement cost, though this can vary.
If you have questions about library fines, contact the Harvard Library Billing Office via email or phone at 617-496-3015.
External Researchers
Researchers interested in borrowing Harvard Library's circulating materials can apply for borrowing privileges. Fees depend on your affiliation. We also have several partnerships that allow researchers from partner institutions to access library materials free of charge.
If you need to borrow something that's only available at Harvard, contact your institution's library or your local public library and ask them to request the materials for you via interlibrary loan.
Learn More About Visitor Borrowing