FAQ

The Library accepts donations in a limited capacity. See our Donations Policy for more information.

If you are cleaning out an office and would like someone from the Library to take a look at books before they are discarded, please contact Wolbach's Collection Development Librarian, Eric Brownell. 

When Wolbach is unable to accept your donation, we typically recommend patrons work with Better World Books, Zubal Books, or More Than Words Youth. 

No. By law, we cannot appraise the value of items donated to the library, but we can connect you with qualified appraisers. See Wolbach's Donation Policy for more information.

Always feel free to contact the library if you have questions or concerns about intellectual property and copyright.

The most comprehensive source of information about U.S. copyright is the U.S. Copyright Office. Their website provides answers to many questions about copyright.  See also: 

• The Copyright Guide to Scientific Software
• Additional Harvard resources: 
  • Copyright First responders
  • Copyright Basics
  • Copyright and Fair Use: a Guide for the Harvard Community.
• Information on Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
• Digital Media Law Project Primer on Copyright Liability and Fair Use. 

Sign into your Google Scholar account or create a new one. Then you will need to designate Harvard as your library:

1. Go to Google Scholar’s main page and click “Settings”
2. Select “Library links” on the left of the page
3. In the empty box, type “Harvard” and click Search
4. Check the box next to “Harvard University - Find It @ Harvard” and click “Save”
5. Now “Find it @ Harvard” buttons will appear next to resources.  If you are logged into your cfa.harvard.edu or other google based email address, the changes to the settings page should remain in effect when you return to Google Scholar.

In order to access both the ADS article archive and literature paid for by the Wolbach Library, you must set up an ADS account and designate Harvard as your library. This will enable links to full text when viewing an ADS record.

1. Create a new account or sign into your existing account.
2. Set up your Library Link Server:
   1. Go to Customize Settings under the Account menu, and then to Library Link Server.
   2. Click on the "Update" button.
   3. A drop down menu should appear; select "Harvard University Library," then click the "Apply" button.
   4. You should see a line that says "Current Link Server: Harvard University Library."
3. You can now access full text content via Library subscriptions.
4. If you come accross an article you need to access but is unavaialble via our subscriptions, please send an email to library@cfa.harvard.edu or use our request form.

You can return any Harvard Library book at the Wolbach Library. There is a messenger service that travels between the Harvard libraries. Coorespondingly, Wolbach Library materials can be returned to any other Harvard Library.

• Library materials may be returned at the Wolbach Library Circulation Desk during regular business hours.
• Library materials may be returned by mail to:
  
  John G. Wolbach Library
  Center for Astrophysics
  60 Garden St. MS-56
  Cambridge, MA 02138.

You may renew most library materials remotely (via HOLLIS or phone) up to five times. After that, the materials must be returned and may be renewed in person. Once renewed in person, the renewal cycle starts anew.

Exceptions to the 5-Renewals rule include borrowing Wolbach's Exceptions to the 5-Renewals rule include borrowing Wolbach's .

Phone renewals: 
617-496-5769 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm) 
Voicemail messages not accepted

24-hour access via ID card is linked to building access, which is linked to the CfA staff database. All CfA affiliates who have a current entry in the CfA Staff Database are eligible for 24-hour access to the Library. If you should have 24-hour building access, but your card does not work on the Library doors, contact the HCO Business Office, B-115, 617-495-7540.

Your SAO ID should allow you entry and borrowing privileges at all Harvard libraries.

Admittance to the Harvard Libraries is controlled by the Harvard Library Access Services Department. If you encounter any access issues, please go to the Privileges office, Room 130 in Widener, and the staff there will arrange to have your card coded correctly for entry.  The Privileges staff can be reached at 617-495-4166 or by email: widpriv@fas.harvard.edu.

The Harvard Library worked with the Harvard Alumni Association to set up access to a limited offering of online resources for Harvard alumni that can be viewed here.

Harvard Secure is the primary WiFi network used at the CfA. Log in as a guest or as a Harvard user by following the instructions here. Please contact Harvard University IT for further assistance.

HarvardKey is Harvard University's unified login system. All members of the CfA community are eligible to claim a HarvardKey. You will need to claim and use your HarvardKey in order to access Library resources and other services provided by Harvard.