Planning Your Visit

Materials in Special Collections are open to all researchers regardless of academic affiliation. Researchers without a Harvard University ID must check-in at the Law School Library Circulation Desk in order to proceed to Special Collections.

The Root Room, the Special Collections Reading Room, is located on the 4th floor of Langdell Hall. All researchers must have a current registration card on file; registration cards are valid for the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) in which they are issued. For those researchers without a registration card please be prepared to show a photo ID.

If you are considering a visit to Special Collections, we recommend contacting us in advance so that we can discuss your research needs.

For more information, please see:

Hours
Location
Directions & Parking
Contact us
Access FAQs
Reading Room Rules

Hours:

The Special Collections Reading Room is open:
Monday - Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm

Materials will not be retrieved after 4:15pm and all materials must be returned 15 minutes before closing. 

Please see the Special Collections’ homepage for any changes to our hours.

Location:

The Root Room
4th floor, Langdell Hall
1545 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138

Directions & Parking:

The Harvard Law School has written instructions for travel by car, but we recommend taking public transportation. Langdell Hall is a ten minute walk from the Harvard Square T stop and fifteen minutes from the Porter Square commuter rail. Massachusetts Avenue is serviced by both the #96 and #77 bus lines. For more detailed information regarding public transportation, see the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA ) website.  

Most on-street parking in the area is reserved for city residents with Cambridge vehicle registrations; on-street metered parking in Harvard Square is scarce.

Visitors may purchase a daily parking permit through
Harvard University Parking Services
46 Blackstone Street
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617.495.3772
Fax: 617.495.9119
Email:  parking@harvard.edu

Parking can be reserved up to a week in advance of your visit. Please reserve parking as soon as possible for your visit as parking spaces close to the Law School fill up quickly during the school year.

Contact us:

Email: specialc@law.harvard.edu
Phone: (617) 495-4550
Fax: (617) 495-8588

Mail: Special Collections Department
Harvard Law School Library
Langdell Hall
Cambridge, MA 02138

Access FAQs

Can anyone access Special Collections?

Yes, materials in Special Collections are open to all researchers regardless of academic affiliation. For access to the Law School Library general collection, please consult the library’s Access Privileges Department.

Are laptops and scanners permitted in the Reading Room?

Laptops are permitted; scanners however, are not. For further information, please see our Reading Room Rules.

Is there wireless access for my laptop?

The entire Law School campus is wireless accessible. Harvard affiliates may register their laptops online using their PIN. Visiting researchers can get wireless access by going to the Information Technology Services help desk in Hauser Hall, Room 020 and registering their laptops. The help desk is open Monday-Friday, 8:30am -5:30pm. Although registration is a fast process, researchers are advised to register before they come to Special Collections.

Can I request items in advance of my visit?

We recommend that researchers using our modern manuscript collection contact us at least two business days in advance because most of this collection is housed offsite.

How much storage space is available to researchers?

Each researcher is provided with a small locker for the day. We suggest researchers make arrangements for storing larger items elsewhere, as we cannot be responsible for items that do not fit in the lockers. All bags and jackets must be placed in the locker. For preservation purposes, the Root Room is maintained at a set temperature that at times can feel cold. For your comfort, we recommend bringing a light sweater or sweatshirt.

Are there specific rules for the handling of materials?

All materials consulted must be handled with great care. Researchers handling materials carelessly will be denied further access to the collections. All incoming researchers will be asked to read and sign a copy of our Reading Room Rules, which include detailed information on proper handling procedures.