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Visitor Access & Borrowing Cards

Visitor access and borrowing cards allow researchers to borrow circulating materials and use Harvard Library’s physical spaces.

Apply for Access

Researchers interested in borrowing Harvard Library’s circulating materials or using our physical spaces can apply for access. We offer two types of guest access cards:

 

Access Card

  • Access a library’s physical space. You can access reading rooms for consulting general-use in-library materials. Book borrowing and access to restricted stack areas are not included.
  • Use computers in the library space, which gives you access to many of our electronic resources.
  • Charges may apply for some.
     

Borrowing Card

  • In addition to the access outlined for Access Card holders, Borrowing Card holders can also borrow materials from our libraries.
  • Loan periods vary depending on your affiliation. 
  • Charges apply for some.
     

Apply Now

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Please note that if you’re interested in working with our special collections, you don’t need to apply for access. Our special collections and archives are open to all without a fee. Learn more about working with our special collections.

Eligibility and Fees

We evaluate your application eligibility and fees based on the affiliations outlined below. If you don’t see yourself in any of these descriptions, contact the Harvard Library Access and Borrowing Office and we can discuss available access options.

Harvard Alumni

All Harvard alumni are eligible to apply for a Library Borrowing Card, which comes with on-site library access at no charge. 

  • Free

Research Assistants and Library Proxies

If you are working with a Harvard University faculty member, they can sponsor a Library Borrowing Card and submit a request form. 

  • Free — Expires after 1 year or with end of role

Domestic Partners of Harvard Faculty, Staff, and Students

Domestic partners and spouses of Harvard faculty, staff and students are eligible for borrowing and access to Harvard’s libraries. You will be asked to show a government-issued ID and a copy or picture of your partner’s HUID. If you and your partner’s last names are different, we ask that you also bring a copy of a lease, utility bill, marriage certificate, or other piece of official mail with both names listed as residing at the same address. 

  • Free — Expires after 1 year or with end of role

Harvard-Affiliated Programs and Centers

If you are part of a program or center affiliated with Harvard University, you can request a Library Borrowing Card, which comes with full library access at no charge.  

  • Free — Expires after 1 year or with end of role

Ivy Plus and BorrowDirect

Our partnership with BorrowDirect allows physical access to our libraries to affiliates of fellow Ivy Plus institutions: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Stanford University, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. You will be asked to show a government-issued ID and sign into BorrowDirect with your school credentials. 

  • Free — Expires May 31 each year

Nonprofit Institutions with Harvard Library Agreements

Several institutions have direct agreements with Harvard Library to allow library use by their members. If you are not sure whether your institution has an agreement, please contact your benefits office. 

  • Library Access Card: Free ($25 fee for new card) — Expires after 1 year or with end of role
  • Library Borrowing Card: $250 for 6 months; $450 for 12 months 

Non-Harvard Faculty, Doctoral Students, and Librarians/Curators

Researchers from other institutions can apply for library access and borrowing. You may qualify if you are faculty, a doctoral student, or a librarian/curator from another university or academic institution.

  • Library Access Card: Free ($25 fee for new card) — Expires after 1 year or with end of role
  • Library Borrowing Card: $450 for 6 months; $850 for 12 months 

Independent Researchers

If you would like to research using Harvard Library and you do not have a Harvard University affiliation or belong to another organization with an existing library access agreement, you can apply for either a Library Access Card or a Library Borrowing Card.

Please note that independent researchers must demonstrate a genuine need to use Harvard’s collections in order to access our spaces.

  • Library Access Card: $50 for 1 month; $100 for 3 months
  • Library Borrowing Card: $450 for 6 months; $850 for 12 months 
  • Senior Citizen rate, Library Borrowing Card: $250 for 6 months; $450 for 12 months
  • Special Collections access: A card is not required — please contact the individual library to make an appointment.

Contact Us

Harvard Library Access and Borrowing staff are available weekdays 9am–5pm ET and ready to answer your questions about library access and borrowing.