Request a Book

If you could not find a book on the shelf, please go to the Langdell or International Legal Studies (ILS) Circulation Desk to fill out a search request form, or to ask questions. We search for materials within 48 hours and notify you via email or phone about the status of your request. If we do not find the item you requested, we offer suggestions on alternative sources, such as other Harvard Libraries or Interlibrary Loan.

"Ordered-Received" or "Cataloging" on HOLLIS

Please fill out the  on-line form to request. "Ordered-Received" indicates that this book has been received by the Library but not yet processed. It will be "rush cataloged" within two business days and delivered to the Langdell Circulation Desk. You will be contacted as soon as it arrives at Langdell Circulation.

"On Order" on HOLLIS

Please fill out the  on-line form to request. "On Order" indicates that this book has not yet been received by the Library. Because the availability of a book on order varies so widely, it is important to put the Date No Longer Needed on the form. An Acquisitions librarian will contact you within two business days.

Purchase Requests

If you cannot find the title on HOLLIS, you may use this form to recommend that the Harvard Law School Library buy a book, journal, or electronic resource. Your message will be sent to the Law Library's bibliographers.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

The Law School Library's Interlibrary Loan Department provides lending and borrowing services to individual patrons and other libraries including academic, government, corporate and public libraries. Please note that ILL does not provide services to individuals who are not members of the Harvard Law School community. If you are not a member of the Harvard Law School community and wish to obtain Harvard material through Interlibrary Loan, consult the interlibrary loan office at your local, academic, firm, or public library. If you are affiliated with Harvard University ask a staff member at your faculty library about services provided.

Items at the Harvard Depository

You may request materials from the Harvard Depository using the "REQUEST" command on HOLLIS. HOLLIS will then walk you through the additional steps needed to retrieve the item. If you are unable to submit your request electronically, you may fill out a request form at the Langdell or ILS Circulation Desk.

You will receive an email when the Harvard Depository materials are available. You will be able to pick up the materials at the Langdell Circulation Desk the next business day after the request, by 3:00 p.m. If the request is submitted on Friday or the weekend, you can pick up your requested materials on Monday after 3:00 p.m. An additional day may be required if there is a Harvard University holiday. To check on the status of a request, contact Langdell Circulation at (617) 495-3455.

Materials are placed on the hold shelf for 7 days. Because of the short turnaround time, we will not notify you if the Depository was unable to find your requested material. 

Materials in Storage

Please fill out a search/retrieval request form at the Langdell or ILS Circulation Desk. We try to retrieve materials within 48 hours and will notify you within two business days as to the status of your request.

Hold Shelf

All requested materials are placed on a "hold" shelf at the Langdell Circulation Desk and arranged alphabetically by the requestor's last name. Simply come to the Circulation Desk, and the materials will be waiting for you within whatever time period you were told to expect them. Materials are placed on the hold shelf for 7 days. In-library-use items may be held for no longer than 2 days. If you need more time, ask if an extended date is possible.