Borrowing via BorrowDirect while at Harvard
BorrowDirect allows Harvard students, faculty and staff to request items from partner libraries for delivery to Harvard, free of charge.
What Can Be Borrowed
- All printed books and music scores that are lent by the owning library
- Some audio-visual material (DVDs, videos), or microforms (film, fiche)
What Can't Be Borrowed
- Books held in the Harvard Library collection that are on the shelf and available for lending
- Books assigned to reference, reserve, or rare book collections by the owning library
- Bound journals or journal articles
LOAN DETAILS
- Available materials usually arrive within four business days and must be picked up in person.
- You will be notified via email when your materials are available for pickup.
- Loans are for 16 weeks and renewals are not allowed.
- Pending requests can be viewed via your BorrowDirect account. BorrowDirect items you have checked out are listed in your HOLLIS account.
- BorrowDirect materials can be returned to any Harvard library.
On-Site Borrowing At BorrowDirect Partners
Harvard students can also visit and check out books at other BorrowDirect libraries. Get more information about participating libraries and policies.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
- In most cases you'll need your Harvard ID. A staff member at the partner library will usually ask you to log in to your BorrowDirect account as authorization for access.
- Books you borrow directly from one of these partners should be returned directly to the owning library, not to a Harvard Library facility.