Learn more about accessing, borrowing, and returning materials, tech loans, course reserves, purchase requests, and library access for alumni and visitors.

Access and Borrow Materials

  • Search HOLLIS to see if there is a physical copy available on campus and get it from the shelf, or submit a request to pick up the item from the library of your choice.
  • Submit an Interlibrary Loan request for a physical OR electronic item and library staff will search libraries around the world to find a copy for you.
  • Scan & Deliver is a free electronic document delivery service for the Harvard community. Submit a request through HOLLIS for an article in a print journal, or a book chapter from Harvard’s collections and we will scan and deliver it to you via email. All eligible items will have a Scan & Deliver link in the item record.
  • BorrowDirect allows Harvard students, faculty, and staff to request physical items from partner libraries for in-person pickup.

Return and Renew Materials

  • You can return circulating library materials to any Harvard library.
  • Track your library loans, renew items, check due dates and more in HOLLIS.

Purchase Requests

  • If you have physical or electronic materials that you would like to see added to the library’s collections, submit a purchase request.

Access for Special User Groups

  • Alumni and visitors are welcome to access our library’s physical space and apply for a borrowing card. All Harvard alumni have access to a large number of resources through Harvard Library.
  • If you decide to take a leave of absence from the GSD, your access to library resources is restricted during the time you are on leave. If you will be returning to graduate from the GSD and you have research or course work to complete while on leave that requires you to borrow library materials or use electronic resources, you may pay a facilities fees to the GSD.