Widener Library

Widener Library is the central library of Harvard University, housing 91 kilometers of bookshelves across ten floors with space for 4.6 million volumes. The building contains extensive collections spanning various academic disciplines.

The library was funded by Eleanor Elkins Widener as a memorial after her son Harry died in the Titanic sinking in 1912. The building became one of the largest academic library structures of its era.

The collection spans important holdings in humanities and social sciences, featuring materials in more than 100 languages from around the world. Visitors can explore the diversity of international works that reflect the broad knowledge of a university library.

Students and staff can access the open stacks directly without asking for assistance from library staff. During regular hours, visitors can browse the collections independently.

The building holds one of the rare complete Gutenberg Bibles, which survived an attempted theft in 1969. These precious early prints are protected like treasures and rank among the oldest printed books in existence.

Location: Massachusetts

Inception: 1915

Part of: Harvard Library

Website: http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/widener

GPS coordinates: 42.37370,-71.11640

Latest update: December 6, 2025 22:03