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COLLECTION Identifier: HUF 523.901

Annual reports of the Harvard libraries and related materials

Overview

The Harvard University Library annual report is a set of publications issued annually by Harvard University since 1878. The reports include updates on library facilities, the acquisition of new materials, circulation statistics, and library expenditures. Many reports are reprinted from the reports of the President of Harvard University, but include donor and personnel information not included in the President's report.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1878-2010
  • Creation: 1864-2010

Researcher Access

Open for research.

Extent

2.1 cubic feet (6 document boxes and archived web content)

The Harvard University Library annual report is a set of publications issued annually by Harvard University since 1878. Submitted by the University Librarian to the President of Harvard University, the report covers the activities of the entire library system of the University, including Harvard College Library and the libraries of the graduate and professional schools. While the specific titles of the reports have changed over time, much of the content has remained consistent, including reports regarding library facilities, the acquisition of new materials, circulation statistics, and library expenditures. This collection includes all Library annual reports published between 1878 and 2010. Reports in this collection printed prior to 1918 were bound with other administrative materials pertaining to the University Library.

Historical note

1877-1897
Justin Winsor (Librarian of Harvard University)
1898-1928
William Coolidge Lane (Librarian of Harvard University)
1910-1928
Archibald Cary Coolidge (Director of the University Library)
1928-1937
Robert Pierpont Blake (Director of the University Library)
1937-1955
Keyes Metcalf (Director of the University Library and Librarian of Harvard College)
1955-1964
Paul Herman Buck (Director of the University Library and Librarian of Harvard College)
1964-1972
Merle Fainsod (Director of the University Library)
1964-1972
Douglas W. Bryant (University Librarian, 1964-1979; Director of the University Library, 1972-1979)
1972-1984
Oscar Handlin (Director of the University Library)
1984-2006
Sidney Verba (Director of the University Library)
2007-2015
Robert Darnton (Director of the University Library)
2009-2013
Helen Shenton (Executive Director of Harvard Library)

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in two series:

  1. Annual reports and related materials, 1878-1917 (bulk); 1863-1917 (inclusive)
  2. Annual reports, 1917-2010

Online access

Some of the reports are available online:

  1. Narrative portions of the library reports are available within digitized Harvard Presidents' Reports: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:66743.
  2. Reports issued 2005-2010 are available online only via WAX, The Harvard Web Archiving Service http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH.WAX:3446424?rl=wb&stamp=20140823152435&;liveWebUrl=hul.harvard.edu/publications/hul_ar.html

Related Materials

Additional annual reports and related materials may be found in Harvard University. Harvard library reports, 1818-1971. UAIII 50.5, Harvard University Archives. https://id.lib.harvard.edu/ead/hua13020/catalog

Inventory update

This document last updated 2022 September 14.

Processing Information

This inventory combines descriptions of both analog and digital holdings and provides container references for analog holdings and links to the online content. Analog items have been rehoused in archival containers and series titles were devised by the archivist. This finding aid was created by Samuel Bauer in January 2016.

Title
Harvard University. Library. Annual reports of the Harvard libraries and related materials, 1878-2010 (bulk); 1863-2010 (inclusive)
Language of description
und
EAD ID
hua05016

Repository Details

Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository

Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.

Contact:
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461