Library Services During Closure

Search

Search form

See Director's Message and Library Closure Information.

Note:

Questions? Ask us!
Have a question about finding a specific eBook? Want suggestions on what to read next? Need help with your library card or assistance getting started with digital materials – eBooks, eAudiobooks or Digital Magazines and more?

Just email reference@harvardpubliclibrary.org!

We will be happy to email you or phone you back!

Our Virtual Library is always open:

  • Through several separate digital collections the Harvard Public Library has many services available to you free from the comfort and safety of your home.
  • Access over 300,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks, digital magazines and streaming videos and music.
  • Learn a language, take an online class, or research your family genealogy.
  • All for free and all from home.
  • Don’t know where to start? See the quick reference chart on our eLibrary page. 
  • Browse the collection descriptions. For app instructions and additional tips and tricks click on Learn More under the logo for each collection.

Ancestry Library Edition

  • NEW – at-home access while our building is closed!  To access Ancestry.com from home click here, login with your Harvard Public Library card number and PIN/Password, and select “Harvard Library Patrons”.

Want to see a Librarian Magic Trick?

Calling All Makers!

  • Cooped up at home? We miss seeing you- and hearing about the projects you’ve been working on!
  • Join our virtual Maker Day Display!  

Book Spine Poetry Contest!  Happy National Poetry Month!
Did you know that you can use books to create poetry?
One of our librarians created the poem below by arranging the books so that when the titles are read from top to bottom, they make a poem.

My Not So Perfect Life
Uprooted
Attachments
Lost Among the Living
Just Listen
The Raging Quiet
A Swiftly Tilting Planet
Carry On
(Ok, so social distancing MIGHT be getting to a few of us )

Now we challenge YOU to come up with a book spine poem, with the titles you have around the house.

  • You can use children's books, nonfiction, adult titles- any books you can find! These poems can be serious or funny, the only requirement is that you be creative and have fun.
  • Snap a photo and send it to reference@harvardpubliclibrary.org and we will post your poems here for the community to vote on!
  • The winner will receive bragging rights and the opportunity to create 10 free buttons with our button machines once the library reopens to the public.

So get creating!
Looking for inspiration? Check out our Book Spine Poetry Examples album, with examples created by members of the Teen Advisory Board over the last couple of years.

Spring Reading Challenge

  • Escape into a good book and join the Harvard Public Library's Spring Reading Challenge. There are programs and challenges for every age. 
  • Read and review your books.
  • Participate in scavenger hunts that help you learn to navigate the library's digital resources.
  • Join today!

Children's Room Online

Looking for virtual programs and ideas to keep the kids busy?

We are posting daily on the children's room social media pages!

On our social media pages you can find:

  • information about HPL virtual storytimes presented in Zoom
  • videos of simple crafts using common materials
  • videos of abbreviated HPL storytimes
  • other programs - like read-alouds for older kids, virtual Lego Club meetings, book groups - that we are presenting using Zoom
  • lists of children's authors and illustrators who are doing online programs
  • information about digital media like e-books and e-audio
  • and links to videos we think you might enjoy

The Children's Room social media pages can be found here:

And we now have a YouTube channel for videos of storytime, read-alouds, and how-to crafts: