Research Guides: RLL Graduate Student Research Guide: Get Started

Get Started

Harvard Library Bookmark - use the bookmark to reload a webpage via HarvardKey. This will get you past the paywall for about 80% of the material we license.
Connect your Google Scholar to Harvard Library to get "Try Harvard Library" links in your search results.
Library Browser Extensions - these plugins link you directly to library access from any web page. Note: From personal experience, we prefer LibKey Nomad over Lean Library.

If the tools above fail, don't give up!

Check HOLLIS, the library's main search tool, or ask us and a librarian can help you locate access.
Try a different browser (library resources can be finicky!)
Know how to clear your cache and cookies.

Library Updates (an email every few months) keeps you informed about new or updated library services.
Unabridged Events (an email every month or two) is the email list for workshops from our library intensive for graduate students.

Library carrels (reserved study desks) are available in the Widener stacks. You will have the option to renew your carrel reservation after each 1-year period. Materials from the Widener stacks, including non-circulating materials like bound periodicals, can be checked out to your carrel. You might also want to invest in some fingerless gloves: the stacks can be a bit chilly!
- Widener carrels: photo and details
- Widener Library Carrel Application Form

Explore the Harvard libraries. Your first weeks at Harvard are a great time to explore broadly and get ideas about collections and materials you can make creative use of in your research.
Discover the variety and breadth of Harvard library’s collections.

Harvard licenses thousands of databases and e-resources. Now is the time to explore and get a sense of what might be out there: the "Find a Database" section of this guide tells you how.

BrowZine is a great way to keep up with the latest research in your field. Make an account, add journals to your bookshelf, and browse recent issues from your phone (with the app) or computer.

Harvard Library's Zotero guide offers self-paced Zotero instruction and an opportunity to join the Zotero User Group. Zotero is a free software program that grabs citations for you and helps you organize all of your research, notes, and .pdfs in one easily accessible place on your computer or in the cloud.
The Library offers Zotero classes at the beginning of the every semester.

Harvard Individual Open Access License opts you in to the Harvard faculty open access policy. It ensures your right to post your own publications to a personal website or open-access repository like DASH. Sign this license before you submit any manuscripts to publishers.

Take the Certificate Program in Digital Scholarship to build your digital competencies and make your skills more visible.