Harvard Library

What is the Harvard Library?

Harvard University has over 70 libraries that together comprise the Harvard Library, the largest academic research collection in the world. The two principal sub-libraries that contain the most holdings pertaining to Mormonism are the Harvard Divinity School Library and the Widener Library. Harvard began its pursual of Mormon-related collections with the purchase of the Eli H. Peirce collection of Mormon Americana in 1914. Ever since then, the library has continued to acquire Mormon-related collections.  

Visiting the Library

For more information on the Harvard Divinity School Library hours, Special Collections at the Harvard Divinity School Library, and Widener Library Hours, click here.  

What Researchers Should Know
  1. Patrons who are not affiliated with Harvard must obtain either a reading room card or a borrowing card in order to call down items and view them in the reading room. For more information go to the visitor access page.  
  1. Harvard uses their own online catalog, HOLLIS, to search for collections.

 

Utilizing the Library Digitally

Harvard Library has a collection of more than 6 million images available through their Digital Collections page.  

Other Helpful Resources

The Harvard Divinity School Library offers a range of useful tools to aid researchers. They have a helpful “Ask Us” function as well as an easy way to contact relevant subject librarians. 

Important Collections

Harvard Library’s Mormon-related collections specialize in rare, published materials as well as unique photograph collections.