Book Requests - Materials Not on Library Shelves
If you could not find the book on the shelf, please go to the Langdell or International Legal Studies (ILS) Circulation Desk to fill out a search request form. 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 a request form at the Langdell or ILS Circulation Desk or use the on-line form. "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 a request form at the Langdell or ILS Circulation Desk or use the on-line form. "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 other electronic or non-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.
Harvard University ID holders will receive an email when Harvard Depository
materials are available. You will be able to pick up the materials at the Langdell Circulation Desk the
following business day after 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. Circulation desk staff will suggest
alternative sources, such as other libraries at Harvard or Interlibrary Loan.
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.