Please read through the steps below or view the how-to video at the bottom of the page.

Tools:

HOLLIS: Harvard University's library catalog, including books, periodicals, manuscript collections, etc.

HOLLIS Special Request: an online account, available to all researchers (no Harvard affiliation required), for requesting materials from Harvard’s archives & special collections libraries

Steps to Request Using HOLLIS

NOTE: Requesting materials through HOLLIS is best for published materials and manuscript collections without a finding aid. For manuscript materials where a finding aid is available, make your request through the finding aid in HOLLIS for Archival Discovery. When a manuscript collection has an associated finding aid, the catalog record in HOLLIS includes multiple links to the finding aid. To learn more about making a request using a finding aid in HOLLIS for Archival Discovery, please visit the Requesting with HOLLIS for Archival Discovery guide.

1. In order to search for material that is housed in the Schlesinger Library’s collection, use the "Advanced Search" option available in the top navigation bar of HOLLIS and narrow the "Search" category to the “Library Catalog." Finally, choose "Schlesinger" from the "Scope" drop-down menu.
2. Enter your search terms, and then click the "Search" button. When you click on an item name in the results list, you will be taken to the catalog record.
3. In order to request the material, scroll down to the "Access Options" section of the catalog record. To request the copy of the material housed at the Schlesinger Library, you will find two potential options.  
   1. If a single copy of the material is available at the Schlesinger Library, in the "Access Options" section, you will find information related to this singular holding. To place your request, click on the "Request to Copy or Visit" link.
   2. If multiple copies of the material are held at the Schlesinger Library or if the material is available at multiple Harvard Libraries, you will find a list of the copies available in the "Access Options" section of the catalog record. Click on the hyperlink representing the copy of the material held at the Schlesinger Library. The "Access Options" view will shift to reflect the holding associated with the hyperlink you have clicked. From this view, click on the "Request to Copy or Visit" link to place your request.
4. If you are not yet logged into your HOLLIS Special Request account, you’ll be taken to a page where you can choose to log in or register for an account.
5. After logging in, you will be taken to the HOLLIS Special Request account view of the information related to your "New Reading Room Request."  
   1. Reading Room Requests: If you would like to access the material in the Schlesinger Library Reading Room, verify all the information is correct and choose the date you would like to visit. To learn more about Schlesinger Library's hours, please visit the Planning a Visit guide.
   2. Copy Requests: If you would like to request a scanned copy of the material, click the “Switch to Copy Request” button.  
      1. Please review the Requesting Copies Guide for detailed information about scan limits, restrictions, and anticipated timelines.
         1. For reference copy requests, we can offer up to 250 pages of manuscript material; 20% of a copyrighted work.  
         2. We will be in touch if you request copies of closed, fragile, or otherwise restricted materials.
         3. If the material you have requested is available in the Library’s Virtual Reading Room, we will be in touch with instructions for accessing the content.
      2. Verify all the information is correct and fill out the “Copy Details” section of the form. If you are requesting the scans for reference, choose “Reference copy” from the “Format” field drop-down menu. If you are requesting a copy for publication, choose “Publication-quality copy” from the “Format” field drop-down menu and check the “For Publication” box.
      3. NOTE: The Library does not provide hard copies of scanned material. You should always choose “Online Delivery” from the “Shipping Preference” drop-down menu.
   3. Research Teams: To best prepare the material for all visitors in advance, please note the names of your research partners in the “Special Requests/Questions” field before submitting.
6. Choose "Submit Request" or "Save Request for Later." When you submit your Reading Room request, it is displayed in your list of "Outstanding Requests" in your HOLLIS Special Request account. When you submit your copy request, it is displayed in your list of “Outstanding Copy Orders” in your HOLLIS Special Request account. When you choose to save your request, it displays as “Awaiting User Review” in the "Saved Requests" section.