Checklist for New Faculty and Instructors

Welcome to Harvard Library—one of the world’s largest academic library systems. We're dedicated to advancing teaching, learning, and global scholarship through close partnership with faculty. To get started taking advantage of all the library has to offer, consult this 10-item Checklist:

1. Find Your Liaison.

  • Library Liaisons: Your library liaison is here to help you navigate one of the world’s largest academic library systems and translate what you know from your previous library into the Harvard context.

2. Get to Know Harvard's Libraries and Collections.

  • Library Locations & Hours: Harvard Library is a multi-library system with several locations across the University’s campus and beyond.
  • Explore collections: Sample the vast array of collections across different libraries. Your Library Liaison can help you find more.

3. Find Harvard Publishing Support and Policies.

  • Harvard Open Access Policies: Look for the policies that apply to you, and check out the FAQ.
  • Publish It: See the "Publish It" section of this guide for more information about faculty publishing at Harvard; for example, learn about the Individual Open-Access License.

4. Get Free Articles Faster.

  • How to Get Scholarly Articles for Free: Learn the top tools for getting Harvard Library access anywhere on the web, including Google Scholar library links and the Check Harvard Library Bookmark.
  • BrowZine: Browzine is also a great way to keep up with the latest research in your field. Use the "bookshelf" feature to create groups of journals you want to track.

5. Request a Purchase.

  • Purchase Request: Have something you'd like to see the library buy and add to our collections? Submit a purchase request.
  • Course Reserves: If the library does not already own the material you wish to place on reserve, we'll do our best to procure it for use in your course.

6. Explore Top Library Services and Tools.

  • Services & Tools: Includes links to databases, e-resources, and a range of helpful research tools.

7. Prepare for Your Courses.

  • Course Reserves: Set up your Course Reserves. Harvard Library's course reserves staff will source, digitize, and either set aside or link course materials directly in Canvas—including those not owned by the library—ensuring timely, accessible, and copyright-compliant access for students.
  • Teach with the Library: We can help you find digital materials, create course guides, and provide library instruction and reading room visits.

8. Log In to HOLLIS and Set Up Your Accounts.

  • HOLLIS: Discover Harvard Library’s vast collections with HOLLIS, our primary research tool.
Log In to the Following Services to Complete the Initial Registration:
  • Interlibrary Loan: Register for document delivery services (covers Interlibrary Loan, BorrowDirect, and Scan & Deliver).
  • HOLLIS Special Request: Register for a HOLLIS Special Request account to arrange the use of special collections materials through HOLLIS.

9. Find Your Touchstone Databases.

  • HOLLIS Databases: Harvard licenses thousands of databases and e-resources. Now is the time to explore and get a sense of what's out there.

10. Stay Informed.

  • Library Newsletters & Social Media: Sign up for our email newsletters and get library news and information delivered directly to your inbox.
  • Harvard Library Events: This calendar includes all events hosted by Harvard Library for the Harvard community, from book talks to film screenings, presentations, tours, and workshops.

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