Library

Searching HOLLIS for Harvard Law School Library Special Collections Holdings

General Searching Tips
Tips for searching the Manuscript Collection

General Searching Tips

Keyword Searching

Keyword searching can be effective for Harvard Law School Library's holdings because it reaches into some notes, local subject headings, and alternate titles.

Keyword search


Narrow search limits

Subject Browsing

Because keyword searching can be overly broad, it sometimes results in large, unmanageable results. One search strategy that can narrow results is browsing Library of Congress subject headings by using links in relevant results.

Using links in relevant records

Tips for searching the Manuscript Collection

Quick Links

Major manuscript collections share similar call numbers. Clicking on the links below will allow you to browse through reverse chronological lists. Please be patient as each link takes a few seconds to load.

**Please note that these marked chronological lists of bound manuscripts do NOT include manuscipts with approximate dates or undated manuscripts. For a more complete listing of bound manuscripts, conduct your own "Other Call No." search as described below.

Modern Manuscript Collection

Small Manuscript Collection

Harvard Law School Class Notes

Bound Manuscripts ca. 1250-1500**

Bound Manuscripts 1501-1600**

Bound Manuscripts 1601-1700**

Bound Manuscripts 1701-1800**

Bound Manuscripts 1801-present**

When you've clicked on one of the above links, you can further narrow your search within each collection by clicking on "Modify Search" and including date, keyword, title, or other information

Conducting Your Own Manuscripts Search

To make your search even more specific, you can perform your own "Other Call No." search:

  1. Go to the main HOLLIS search page holliscatalog.harvard.edu
  2. Click on the "Expanded Search" link
  3. Click on the downward arrow to the right of the top box currently reading “Anywhere” and select from the menu “Other call number”
  4. Select the button marked "two-word phrase" to the right of the input/"Search for" box
  5. Type in the input/"Search for" box one of the following:
    HLS MS [for bound manuscripts]
    Modern Manuscript
    Small Manuscript
    Class Notes
  6. Include date limits, author, title, or other information and narrow your search within the collection

 

Page adapted from the Harvard University Archives' "Searching HOLLIS for Harvard University Archives Holdings"