Key Library Collections: Where and What


The essential resource for identifying and tracking down library materials -- in print or online -- is the HOLLIS catalog.

But given the nature of Harvard's library system, and depending on the kind of information you need, you will probably spend time in several library locations during your time here. Options include:

  • Widener Library: The central research library of Harvard University, and the largest, Widener owns materials in over 100 languages from all eras, and from virtually every country in the world. The social sciences and humanities are richly represented. Widener's collections of Africana, Americana, European history and culture, Judaica, Latin American studies, Middle Eastern studies, Slavic studies, and United Kingdom and Commonwealth materials are significant and will be of interest to Nieman Fellows. Western language materials for the study of East, South, and Southeast Asia are also highlights.

     

    Lamont Library: Lamont Library supports the undergraduate curriculum in the humanities and social sciences and reflects student interests in literature, current political affairs, the arts, and the environment.

  • Government Information, Lamont Library: Harvard has been an officially recognized depository for U.S. government publications since 1860. In addition, the publications of 160 foreign governments are made available here: legislative proceedings; parliamentary papers (for selected countries); statistical abstracts and reports; budgets, policy statements, and commission reports; demographic and economic census information; national accounts; the annual reports of ministries (selected countries); and development plans.  The international organization documents and publications held in Government Documents include those of the League of Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS). Since 1947, Harvard has also collected U.N. Documents.

  • Fung Library: located in the CGIS Knafel Building, the Fung Library is the access point for three important area studies collections: