Get Scholarly Articles for Free

HOLLIS isn’t the only way to access articles and library resources.

Harvard Library has paid for your access to hundreds of websites — from the New York Review of Books to the Oxford English Dictionary to the journal Nature: Chemical Biology. You just need to connect via HarvardKey.

We offer tools to quickly check if you have free online access. Each tool has features that you may find helpful at different times. Most people mix and match for different purposes. Find the one that's right for you.

Google Scholar

Connect Google Scholar to your library to get access directly from Google Scholar results.

  • Adds the "Try Harvard Library" link to your Google Scholar results
  • Selects the best access point for you
  • Tool

    Google Scholar

    A powerful index of scholarly literature across disciplines, languages, time periods, and publishing formats.

Browser Extensions

Adding a browser extension is a way to get articles Harvard Library pays for no matter what website you're using.

Lean Library or LibKey Nomad

Install the Lean Library or LibKey Nomad extension to automate access.

  • Checks every website that you visit and reloads via Harvard Key automatically
  • Notifies you if an ebook or online article is available via Harvard
  • No action required: the extension is always working in the background

Get Lean Library or Libkey Nomad

Check Harvard Library Bookmark

Get one-click access with the Check Harvard Library Bookmark.

  • Works on most browsers, including on your phone
  • Reloads the page you're on via Harvard Key
  • You're in control: use the bookmark when you want to check for access

Get the Check Harvard Library Bookmark

Get Browzine

Access and read scholarly journals for free on your computer, phone, or tablet. Browzine is an app that organizes journals by topic area.

Learn More About Browzine

Library Access via VPN

Searching for articles while abroad? You can get the same access as a campus computer by installing and configuring a Harvard VPN.

  • Some sites won't recognize VPN, some sites only work on VPN
  • Can be helpful for access outside of the United States

Instructions on how to install the VPN client (via HUIT)

Log In via the Publisher

Some publisher websites let you sign in directly with your HarvardKey. 

Find the sign in or log in option on the site, then look for language like:

  • Institutional access 
  • Sign in through your institution

When prompted, search for Harvard Library and sign in with your HarvardKey. If both Harvard University and Harvard Library are listed, we suggest choosing Harvard Library.

Get Help

If you think Harvard Library provides access but you’re still hitting a paywall, we may be able to help. Contact us and include the article title, journal or website name, and the link you’re trying to access. The more information you share, the faster it is for us to troubleshoot.