The Library's holdings are reflected in the Fenway Libraries Online (FLO) catalog.
The Reading Room is open to MFA staff as a quiet research and study space 9am - 4pm during the week. Please note that food and drink are not permitted (with the exception of closed water bottles).
The Reading Room is not regularly staffed during these hours. You are welcome to drop by the Library office with questions or email us to set up a time for in-person reference assistance.
Please see the Reading Room Access and Use Policy below for guidelines on using the Reading Room.
Are you new to the MFA or need a refresher on how to use the library's resources? Go here for a concise recap!
We have a new streamlined request function! Staff can request materials from any MFA location by using the "Make a Request" function in the FLO Library Catalog. The guide below gives step by step instructions.
You will receive an email when the book is ready. Please note that it will take 12 business hours to fulfill requests for on-site materials and 72 business hours for off-site materials. Staff book pickup is located in the staff carrel space of Reading Room (173) off the Brown Gallery.
When you are finished with any materials, please return them to the Book Return in the Reading Room located near the door.
Please contact libstaff@mfa.org with questions or or to set up a time for in-person reference assistance.
*Please note that you will need an active library account and a barcode to make requests. You will be allowed to make 20 requests at a time and this function will deactivated if you carry more than 10 lost or overdue books on your account.
For any books, articles, or other materials not owned by the MFA libraries, MFA staff should use the form on the intranet or the one below. Interlibrary loan services are only available for MFA staff. All other patrons should inquire at their local library for ILL inquiries. Please provide full citation information. For any interlibrary loan questions, please reach out to the Jordan Barnes (jbarnes@mfa.org).
All MFA staff, volunteers, and interns who wish to utilize library resources must submit a new staff patron application. Please send the completed form to libstaff@mfa.org.
Acquisitions are open on a limited basis. Use the form below to submit a recommendation for a library book purchase. If you have any questions about library acquisitions at this time, please contact Hee Jung Lee (hlee@mfa.org).
When identifying books that you would like to be considered as additions to the library collection, please completely fill out the slip below. After the book(s) have a completely filled out slip in them, a librarian will review them with consideration of our collection development policy. Please note that not all books will be added so it is important to mark if you would like books that will not be added to be returned to you or discarded by the library. if you have questions about the process or collections development plan, please contact Hee Jung Lee (hlee@mfa.org).
Remote access is available for a majority of online resources that the MFA Library subscribes to. Login is required using a barcode assigned when creating a library account.
For detailed instructions, please view the pdf document below.
*Please note that we are still reconfiguring access to electronic databases via the intranet after our library move. Please use the A-Z Database on this site for regular access.
The Harvard University Libraries' Special Borrowers Program reopened on October 4th 2021. Harvard Libraries has made changes to the structure including moving it to a fee-based system. Please review the information below to apply for access or access + borrowing privileges.
Check the attached list for your name. If you are on the list, you can continue the application process below. If your name is not on the list, please reach out to Jordan Barnes (jbarnes@mfa.org).
You will need to make an appointment to sign up for your Reading Room Access Card at the Harvard Library Access and Borrowing Office in Widener Library (previously the Privileges Office).
Before your visit, fill out this registration form to expedite the process.
If you have heard from your Department Head, Department Coordinator, or Jordan Barnes regarding your Harvard Libraries access, please consider that information more current and correct.
The William Morris Hunt Memorial Library is currently engaged in a comprehensive collection analysis. For the most recent overview of the program, please see the pdf.
Coming Soon: weeding list
Absolutely reach out if you have any questions or research needs.
PHYSICAL MATERIALS:
MFA BOOKS
OTHER MATERIALS
DIGITAL MATERIALS:
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