Special Library: Houghton Library on Harvard University’s Campus

For the purpose of the Special/Archival Library Visit, I’ve chosen the Houghton Library. I’ve never been, I don’t believe that I’ve been to a special or archival library before? If I have I definitely didn’t realize that I was visiting one. I’d love to visit a theatre-specific library someday. Though I’ve found love in teaching and libraries, the theatre will always be my first love.

The Houghton Library houses Harvard University’s rare book collection, and manuscripts, literary and performing arts archives (Houghton Library, 2022).

Digital Access

https://library.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton

The Houghton Library’s website seems easy to navigate with important information such as hours and information for access displayed front and center. There are links to information about the collections, classes, current exhibitions, and information about the library. From the website, I’m able to discern that this library serves students and public researchers alike. They do explicitly state that members of the public who do not have a Harvard ID may have access to the library with proper identification as stated on the website. There is online access to some collections, one highlighted on the website right now is the Emily Dickinson Archive, with access to images of her poetry manuscripts. That link does take you to the Emily Dickinson Archive, an open-access website for that information, so it isn’t specific to this library (Emily Dickinson Archive, 2022). I don’t see explicit information about accessibility on the website but you could use a contact feature to get more information. The website feels inviting and provides a lot of information and links.

There isn’t any staff mentioned on this particular website but there is an email, a phone number, a link to the library blog and mailing list, a chat feature to talk to a librarian, as well as links to the Houghton Library’s social media accounts. At the top of the page under “Visit and About” for the Harvard Libraries in general there is a staff directory and there are a lot of people on the list. Overall the job titles match what’s appropriate for the libraries. Users may register with a HOLLIS account and have access to materials through the Houghton Library, and much of the collection is physically housed in the space. This seems like it would be a neat library to visit in person. 

There are events listed on the website, right now the featured events are “Creating the Racial State: Politics, Culture, and Purity of Blood in Hitler’s Germany” and “In Black and White: Photographs of Black Theatre by Alix Jeffry” as well as the Houghton Library Lobby Gallery. There are a few online exhibitions listed too, An Alice in Wonderland anniversary exhibit, books and writing of the middle ages, as well as an exhibit on anthropomorphism in children’s literature (Harvard Library, 2022). Those can be found here.

The Space & Physical Access

I wasn’t able to physically visit this library and virtual access to the physical space seemed limited. There is a short snippet of the outside of the building here, and a longer archival tour here, as well as a pretty neat 3D virtual tour of the Widener Library here, but nothing official is provided on the website for a virtual tour of the physical space from home.

The building seems smaller compared to other buildings on the campus, especially compared to the Widener Library. But from what I was able to gather, the space seems like it is a nice size for what it houses. The building definitely gives off vibes that it belongs on an academic campus with red brick and white concrete details. The building on the outside seems very pretty, with nice landscaping. I cannot tell from the pictures but according to the website, there is a “gently sloped” walkway entrance as well as an elevator that gives patrons access to all of the public spaces.

People may tour the space on Fridays, as mentioned under the “About” tab on the website. I’m not sure if there are computers available but researchers may gain access to the collection and based on the fact that they offer exhibitions, readings, and lectures, I would assume there is ample meeting space for visitors. While I might say this space is accommodating for anyone, I imagine people who enter this library are looking for certain information or they have an interest in an area housed here.

Services & Intellectual Access

As I’ve stated, there are programs and exhibitions listed on the website and though I cannot physically see the space I imagine there is ample signage for the events. According to the website, there are also classrooms and reading rooms. The catalog is accessible through the website, and I would imagine that with staff assistance someone could access the catalog in the space. The website states that they “Acquire, catalog, process, and preserve rare books, manuscripts, archives, and more” (Harvard Library, 2022). One of the collections that the Houghton Library houses is the Harvard Theatre Collection and according to the website the collection was founded in 1901 and is one of the largest and oldest performing arts collections in the world (talk about being put on my bucket list of places to visit!) (Harvard Library, 2022).

People – Patrons & Staff

From what I can gather from the website this library serves researchers at Harvard and people who have an interest in special collections such as the rare book collection or the theatre collection. I can imagine people are browsing the exhibits, sharing their thoughts, and perhaps asking staff questions about where things in the building are located or maybe asking a research question related to a project they’re working on. From the website, I can assume there is a good amount of staff, but as far as availability goes, I can’t say for sure who you might see when you go in.

Collections

It is explicitly stated on the Harvard Library website, under reading room policies that the “Houghton Library welcomes researchers to our Reading Room to view our collections, which do not circulate outside of the library. The Reading Room is not open for general study purposes” (Harvard Library, 2022). There is an accessibility tab on the library website where they encourage everyone to participate in their services regardless of disabilities and offer information for accommodations or questions via contact with the Public Services team. There are also magnifying glasses and table lamps, as well as special machines for text-to-speech reading available upon request.

Other

From what I can discern from the website, this library supports its mission to provide access to its materials to patrons through exhibits and reading rooms. In its mission statement on the website, the Houghton Library at Harvard promises that its rooms and public spaces to be welcoming learning environments for all who enter (2022). I cannot speak much on the physical location itself, outside of what the website has to offer, but there is a lot of good information and from what I’ve gathered I’ve decided that this is a place that I want to visit! Rubin & Rubin stress that special libraries are “activity-oriented, focusing on meeting users’ information needs” (2020, p. 161) and that the librarians are “more facilitators and collaborators” rather than “selectors and organizers of materials” (2020, p. 161) and I can see much evidence of that here.

References

Emily Dickinson Archive. (2022). Home. https://www.edickinson.org/

Harvard Library. (2022). Harvard Theatre Collection. https://library.harvard.edu/collections/harvard-theatre-collection

Harvard Library. (2022). Houghton Library. https://library.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton

Harvard Library. (2022). How to access materials houghton library. https://library.harvard.edu/how-to/access-materials-houghton-library

Rubin, R. E. and Rubin, R. G. (2020). Foundations of library and information science. (5th ed.). ALA Neal-Schuman.