Library FAQs

You have access to not only the Frances Loeb Library collection (made up of 200,000+ books, 3700+ Journals, design-specific databases, IT equipment, and more) but also millions of resources found throughout the entire Harvard Library system.

Find and access your resources using HOLLIS, the Harvard Library catalog system. 

For more information on the library’s access and borrowing policies follow gsd.harvard.edu/frances-loeb-library/access-borrowing/.

The Frances Loeb Library Special Collections consists of five distinct collections: Archival, the Le Corbusier Research Collection, Material, Rare Books, and Visual.  

Please review our Plan Your Research Visit guide for further details about collection discovery, requests for collection items, and appointments for the Special Collections Reading Room.  

Descriptions and standalone research guides for each collection can be found on About Special Collections at the Frances Loeb Library.

The library’s Research and Teaching Team provides the following research support:

• Design research guides curated for the GSD community.

• One-on-one research consultations for personalized help navigating your research projects. Book a research consultation today.

• The Writing Services unit that assists writing and citation management skills. Book a writing services appointment with a peer tutor or Alison Pasinella, Writing and Communication Services Librarian, today.

• The GIS and Mapping Assistance Team that assists with geospatial, mapping, and data research. Book a GIS/mapping appointment with a Mapping Assistant or Bruce Boucek, GIS and Data Librarian, today.

• More information on Research and Teaching at the Frances Loeb Library can be found on Research & Teaching – Harvard Graduate School of Design

Consult Submitting a Thesis/Dissertation – Special Collections: Theses at the Frances Loeb Library to learn more about submission and formatting policies:

Consult Searching for Theses – Special Collections: Theses at the Frances Loeb Library to find GSD theses. 

The event recordings of the Harvard Graduate School of Design Public Programs include lectures, conferences, and symposia, and are part of Special Collections of the Loeb Design Library. These video recordings are not a comprehensive collection of all events at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Much of the collection is now stored off-site but can be retrieved for viewing. The collection does not circulate.

Any viewing of the VHS, DVDs, or restricted recordings must be done in Special Collections where viewing equipment is provided.  

How to find lecture recordings:
Event Video Index (ca. 1980 – 2014)
Use the alphabetically divided arranged tabs to search the index. Videos are arranged alphabetically by speaker or conference/event name. If an event recording is found in the Event Video Index, please submit an Ask A Design Librarian ticket so request instruction can be provided. 

For more recent event recordings, search the GSD YouTube Channel.

Course reserves are easily selected/curated in the “Library Reserves” section through your Canvas page.

• For further assistance, you can refer to the Harvard Library’s page about reserves with various access points to get you started.
• If you want more specific guidance, you can go to the Leganto Research Guide that gives you detailed step-by-step directions.

If the materials you need are not available at Harvard, you still have options!

• BorrowDirect allows you to borrow materials from partner institutions. Requests are fulfilled in about 4 business days and must be picked up in person.
• If you can’t find what you’re looking for at Harvard or via BorrowDirect, try submitting a Interlibrary Loan request. Library staff will search other libraries for what you need.
• Articles requested via Interlibrary Loan can often be delivered within hours. Other materials usually arrive within two weeks. Interlibrary Loan materials must be picked up in person.

To recommend a book for purchase, please fill out our Purchase Request Form.  

To book library space for an event, please contact our director Ann Whiteside and/or our library coordinator, Claudia Lewis. 

To book one of the study spaces found upstairs, please refer to this webpage that will lead you to the GSD’s reservation system, SERT.

Covered beverages and snacks are allowed in the library.  Please refrain from eating large meals or any food that has a strong smell. Food is not allowed in Special Collections.  Covered beverages are allowed but must be kept at the check-in desk.