Borrowing Print Collections

Book Pickup

Book Pickup at Harvard For those in the Boston/Cambridge area you may request physical materials from Frances Loeb Library and Harvard Library's collections for in-person pickup at Lamont Library. Log-in to HOLLIS to place your request.

BorrowDirect

BorrowDirect allows Harvard students, faculty, and staff to request physical items from partner libraries for in-person pickup at Lamont Library.

Scan & Deliver (Digital Delivery)

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.

Interlibrary Loan (Pickup or Digital Delivery)

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. Articles requested via Interlibrary Loan can often be delivered within hours. Other materials usually arrive at Harvard Library for pickup within two weeks.

Don't Live Near Harvard?

If you do not live in the Boston/Cambridge metro area and you need a physical book (your item is not available as an ebook or does not qualify for Scan & Deliver), you have a few options.

Check to see if the book is available at a library near you. To locate a copy, search for your book via worldcat.org. Different types of libraries have different levels of accessibility for Harvard affiliates:

• Public libraries are accessible to everyone within a community.
• Academic libraries at state institutions in the United States are generally funded through public sources and are open to the community. Viewing privileges are typically free; borrowing privileges may cost a fee.
• Depending on their current policies, our partner institutions may also have their collections open to Harvard affiliates at this time.
• If the book you need is not available at a library near you, your public library may instead be able to obtain it from another library via their Interlibrary Loan services.

If the above options do not work, you may submit a request to have Loeb Library’s copy of a book mailed to your home.

Book Delivery

Eligible items include books available in the Frances Loeb Library’s general collection. Exceptions include books checked out to other patrons, items too fragile for transport, materials belonging to Special Collections, books with temporary restricted access, and items owned by other Harvard Libraries.

To submit a request, send a message to Ask a Design Librarian and include the following information:

• The title and HOLLIS number of the book.
• Your mailing address, including zip code.
• Your phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you mail to addresses outside the United States?

Yes. Submit a request via Ask a Design Librarian, and we will follow up with more information.

How many books may I request at one time?

Please limit requests to no more than 10 books.

How should I return books that have been mailed to me?

Send us a message via Ask a Design Librarian, and we will email you a pre-paid mailing label.

How long will it take for my item to arrive?

After receiving your request, library staff will retrieve your item from our stacks and place it in the mail within three business days. We ship all materials using FedEx ground services.

Returning Books

• Due dates for borrowed items have been extended for materials that were checked out in Spring 2020.
• Fines accrued while the Library is closed are being waived. Reach out to us if you see fines on your account.
• If you are in the Boston/Cambridge area: Return your books to the Widener Library Mass. Ave. entrance. (Do not return books to Lamont.)
• Alternatively, you may mail them to:
  • Widener Library
    c/o Access Services
    1 Harvard Yard
    Cambridge, MA 02138
• If you are returning a book that was mailed to you please follow the return instructions that came with the item.

 

Additional Access information

Get It!

Get It! is the term for Harvard Library tools and services that facilitate accessing books and articles.

Students on Leave of Absence

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. For questions about fees contact Sean Conlon

Alumni

GSD Alumni interested in borrowing privileges may apply for a Special Borrower card in the Harvard Library Privileges Office.

Two types of Special Borrower cards are available to GSD Alumni:

• Borrowing privileges at the Frances Loeb Library for one year: no cost
• Borrowing privileges at the Frances Loeb Library AND borrowing privileges at the following libraries for one year: $200
  • Andover-Harvard Theological Library
  • Cabot Science Library
  • Loeb Music Library
  • Fine Arts Library
  • McKay Library
  • Harvard-Yenching Library
  • Tozzer Library
  • Widener Library
  • Wolbach Library

In addition, all Harvard Alumni have access to a number of online resources available through the Harvard Library.

Visitors (Library is currently closed to all visitors)

Use of the Library by visitors without a Harvard ID is restricted to individuals pursuing research in the design fields, and is at the discretion of the Library.

Visitors may apply for the FLL Day Pass at the Service Desk. This pass allows patrons to use library materials on-site. Borrowing privileges are not included.  A photo ID is required for registration. The FLL Day Pass is valid for the day on which it is issued.

Visitors who wish to borrow from the Frances Loeb Library may apply for a Special Borrower Card in Harvard Library Privileges Office. This card is available for a fee of $250 per year, or $100 for four months.

Disabilities Statement

The Frances Loeb Library is responsive to the needs of our patrons. Assistance accessing library collections on the lower level via the west lobby elevator can be arranged by contacting the service desk at 617-495-9163. Please see Harvard Library for additional services.