Hours
The Root Room, Historical & Special Collections’ reading room, is open by appointment only, Tuesday-Friday, 10-5.
To schedule an appointment or get in touch with a member of the Historical & Special Collections staff, please email specialc@law.harvard.edu.
UPCOMING CLOSURES:
Wednesday, October 14: 11:30am-2:00pm
Friday, October 16
Friday, October 23: 2:00-5:00pm
Tuesday, October 27: 12:00-3:30pm
Wednesday, October 28: 1:00-3:30pm
Thursday, October 29: 1:00-4:00pm
Wednesday, November 11
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New Exhibit – “Rogues, Vagabonds, and sturdie Beggers” Explores Poor Laws in England & America
Harvard Law School Library Historical & Special Collections is pleased to announce a new exhibit, “Rogues, Vagabonds, and sturdie Beggers”: Poor Laws of England and America, 1597-1948. The exhibit is on view in the Caspersen Room on the 4th floor of Langdell Hall from September 2026 to July 2027. This exhibit explores 350 years of
October 15, 2026
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HLS librarian explores medieval manuscripts at Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries
In July, during one of England’s many heatwaves this summer, I attended “Researching Medieval Manuscripts: From Cataloging to Cultural History” at Rare Book School at Oxford University. Founded in 1983, Rare Book School (RBS) has been based at the University of Virginia since 1992 and offers dozens of classes, held at various universities, which are geared
September 1, 2026
Image Credits
Top of page, clockwise:
- Magna Carta and statutes, 14th century, HLS MS 177, HOLLIS 990068571040203941, f. 13r detail, Harvard Law School Library.
- View of rare book spines, Brooks Kraft, 2014.
- Harvard Law School Committee on Chicano Legal Issues, 1975-1976, by Stephen Gersh, HOLLIS 41511155, Harvard Law School Library.
Left to right:
- Historical & Special Collections reading room, Brooks Kraft, 2014.
- Harvard Law School Library pass, 1868, HOLLIS 990020808460203941, Harvard Law School Library.
- De legibus Angliae, ca. 1300. HLS MS 1, HOLLIS 990028855300203941, seq. 29, detail, Harvard Law School Library.
- Caspersen Room, Harvard Law School Library, Tony Rinaldo, September 2023.
- Historical & Special Collections stacks, Brooks Kraft, 2014.
- Treasure Room, Langdell Hall by Fay Foto Service, 1952? HOLLIS 8001070613, Harvard Law School Library.