Permissions
The Harvard University Archives grants access to its collections subject to University policies and donor restrictions. Permission to publish from Archives collections requires separate application.
Permission for Access to Collections
Access to Archives' collections may require special permission.
University policy restricts access to all University records for a period of 50 years from the date of their creation. University records pertaining to individuals, including student records, are closed for a minimum of 80 years.
Archives of student, alumni/ae, and other associated organizations are subject to the same restrictions on access.
Some personal archives of faculty, administrators, students and alumni/ae are subject to donor restrictions. Please consult the Archives reference staff for details.
Permission to Publish from Collections
The publication of direct quotations, excerpts, and images from Archives' collections requires the permission of the University Archivist. Please send requests for permission to publish to archives_reference@harvard.edu. Please be sure to submit permission requests well in advance of publication date, as it may take several weeks for a response to be sent.
Requests must include the following information:
- copies of relevant sections of the manuscript, with quotes or excerpts highlighted, and/or copies of images;
- complete citations for the original materials, including the name of the collection, title/description/date of the item, folder title, call number, and box number (if applicable);
- title of the publication in which the material will appear;
- name of the publisher; and
- anticipated date of publication.
Citing Archives' Material: Examples
University records
Harvard University. Records of President Abbott Lawrence Lowell. Grounds of University: Committee on Plan. Letter to Guy Lowell, Oct. 28, 1924. UAI 5.160, Series 1922‐1925, Folder 467, Box 199. Harvard University Archives.
Student diary
Brown, Lloyd T. Diary, 1899. Entry for January 15, 1899. HUD 899.9. Harvard University Archives.
Faculty papers
Buttrick, George Arthur. Papers of George Arthur Buttrick. Letter to Agnes Gardner, Dec. 15, 1915. HUGFP 90.35, Family and Personal Papers, ca. 1910‐1979, Box 2. Harvard University Archives.
Image
Harvard University Archives, HUPSF Baseball (32b).
