Advice on making the most of the Library’s hidden gems from Primo Lagaso Goldberg, class of 2025, a College senior and intern for Harvard Library Communications.
When I first arrived at Harvard, I quickly realized how many libraries there are on campus. Like most first-years, I gravitated toward the “big three”: Cabot, Lamont, and Widener. Each one has its own vibe, its own atmosphere, and its own aesthetic. So depending on the type of work, how late we planned to study, or how many people were involved, my friends and I always had a library in mind.
Now as a senior, I’ve learned these libraries offer far more than just places to wade through countless psets and readings. Cabot is more than its convenient Clover location, Lamont isn’t just a quiet space, and Widener isn’t just a stunning building. Harvard’s libraries are packed with services that can elevate both academic and personal growth.
To be completely honest, even though Harvard has more than 25 libraries, I’ve mainly stuck to these three. But after spending countless hours in them, I’ve discovered a few hidden gems:
Lamont Library
Besides the obvious draws of 24-hour quiet study and a delicious cafe, Lamont is a hub for Harvard library’s tech loan program. You can borrow cameras, audio recording gear, phone chargers, and even green screens for video recording or Zoom meetings — all available at the circulation desk.
Having been a student org leader, I’ve also had my fair share of late nights desperately printing posters through CrimsonPrint in my house basement. But why print a hundred small posters when you can print one huge poster? The Lamont Multimedia Lab also offers free large-format printing on high-quality paper — perfect for academic projects, presentations, or one massive comp poster.
Widener Library
Widener is the nexus of Harvard Library. Standing tall and imposing over Tercentenary Theatre for more than a hundred years, Widener isn’t just the largest of Harvard’s libraries or the one with the most intimidating study space (the Loker Reading Room), it’s also a strong center of support.
If you’re feeling stuck with your project/paper or just need a little extra support, the library offers individual research consultations. You can meet one-on-one with a library specialist — either online or in-person — who can assist with everything from defining your research topic and developing search strategies to organizing your sources and working with unique primary materials. The process is simple: just fill out a request form, and the library will match you with the right expert to guide you through your research needs. When I used this service, it really got me situated within the library ecosystem. It was a great way to get tailored advice, making the most of Harvard’s vast resources without having to navigate them alone.
Speaking of Harvard’s vast resources, I feel like knowing that just Widener alone houses over 3.5 million books can be a bit overwhelming when gathering sources for a project or paper. But thankfully, when you need a book or text, you don’t have to spend hours in the stacks. When you need specific pages from a book, you can use Scan & Deliver. Simply make a request through HOLLIS, and a librarian will scan and email the pages to you. It’s a time-saver when you don’t want to trek through the stacks searching for one chapter.
Cabot Library
Walking through Cabot, you may notice the extensive rooms filled with lighting and video equipment. While this might seem intimidating and fancy, any student can use any of this equipment. Through Cabot we have access to media studios equipped for high-quality audio and video recording, along with AR/VR tools for immersive projects. Cabot librarians will even train you from scratch to learn to use this technology.
I’ve found that Cabot is also a go-to spot for group work. The library offers a range of group study and video conferencing rooms, making it perfect for research collaboration, meetings, or brainstorming sessions.
Each of these libraries has unique tools to help you succeed, so take advantage of everything they offer.