Update:

We have resumed some on-campus services, including book pickup, virtual consultations, and fulfilling scanning/digitization requests. Many library materials are available online, but our buildings remain closed until further notice.

Harvard-Yenching Library

Today: Virtual Only
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Highlights

The most comprehensive East Asian collection of any American university. We hold Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Western materials.

  • Rare and ancient books
  • Digitized scrolls and maps
  • Local Chinese gazetteers
  • Minority language materials
Open to Harvard ID holders.
Full access policy

Contact

2 Divinity Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Directions
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Collections

As of 2018, the Harvard-Yenching Library's collections exceed 1.5 million volumes, including over 900,000 Chinese, 400,000 Japanese, over 200,000 Korean, 30,000 Vietnamese, 55,000 Western languages, 4,000 Tibetan, 3,500 Manchu, and 500 Mongolian. The library also holds many rare and special collections, many of which have been digitized and are available to view on HOLLIS.

General Collections

Collection

Chinese Collection

Harvard-Yenching Library collects Chinese-language research materials in all formats, with a focus on the humanities and social sciences.
Collection

Japanese Collection

Harvard-Yenching Library's Japanese Collection focuses on humanities and social sciences in the field of Japanese studies in the Japanese language.
Collection

Korean Collection

Harvard-Yenching Library's Korean Collection covers everything from archaeology to contemporary economic development.

Special Collections

Collection

Ming-Qing Women's Writings

A valuable resource for scholars studying women's roles in China from the 14th through the 20th centuries.
Collection

Manchukuo Collection

View material related to the Pan-Asian state once located in northeastern China and controlled by imperial Japan.
Collection

Harvard-Yenching Library Digital Maps

View hundreds of maps of China, Japan, Korea, and other regions in East Asia.

Research Guides

Research Guide for Chinese StudiesResearch Guide for Japanese Studies Research Guide for Korean Studies

Using the Library

Special Collections Requests
Submit scanning requests for special collections to us through our new online request portal.
More information

Notice: Lending to Non-Harvard Institutions 

Following recent operational changes, Harvard-Yenching Library (HMY) now provides Interlibrary Loan services to other institutions via Widener Library Resource Sharing (HLS). Read more about submitting requests. 

Publications
The Harvard-Yenching Library publishes several series, including bibliographical, studies, and reprint series.
More information

How To...

How To

Get Remote Support for Research & Publishing

Working away from your lab or campus office? Harvard Library can help.
How To

Use Harvard Library's Special Collections and Archives

Open to all, these unique materials can take you to places you never expected.
How To

Borrow, Renew and Return Library Materials

Connect with the library materials you need to get your work done.

Services & Tools

Tool

HOLLIS

HOLLIS is Harvard Library's catalog. Search HOLLIS for books, articles, media and more.
Tool

HOLLIS Images

A catalog and search tool for finding images from Harvard Library collections.
Tool

HOLLIS for Archival Discovery

Catalog for exploring collection guides, finding aids and inventories to locate unique materials in Harvard's special collections and archives.
Tool

Database Search

A catalog to find the specialized search engine that has what you need—identifying and connecting to the best databases for your research topic.
Service

Reproductions

Need a copy? Request reproductions of library materials for research or publication.
Service

Interlibrary Loan

Can't find the materials you need at Harvard? Submit an Interlibrary Loan request and we'll search libraries around the world. We also lend via ILL to other institutions.

Events

The Academia Sinica Digital Humanities Research Platform

Event
Thursday, Oct 29th, 2020
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Zoom, Harvard-Yenching Library

Korean Language Resources III

Class / Workshop
Tuesday, Nov 10th, 2020
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Zoom, Harvard-Yenching Library

Japanese Language Resources III

Class / Workshop
Wednesday, Nov 11th, 2020
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Zoom, Harvard-Yenching Library
More events at Harvard Library