Collections

Using Baker's Extensive Collections

Baker Library's physical collections include approximately 600,000 printed volumes, 4,000 working papers, 186,000 annual reports, over 1 million microform items, 23,000 linear feet of archives and manuscripts, and 31,000 photographs. Baker subscribes to nearly 4,000 serial and periodical titles.

For all Baker collections, see our Borrowing Policies.

E-Resources at Baker and other Harvard Libraries

See our Browse Database A-Z Listing for descriptions of available electronic resources.

New Books at Baker

Monthly listing of new business books received at Baker.
Includes Faculty Books, a continuously updated list of books published by HBS faculty since 1990.

Books and Pamphlets

Core Collection books (see below) are shelved in the Stamps Reading Room. Books from the general collection are shelved in the stacks.
The main library stacks level is open. The elevator to this level of Baker is in the Stamps Reading Room.
Books from the general collection may be borrowed for four weeks. HBS faculty may arrange for extended loans.
"Non-circulating" items must be used in the library. Pamphlets may be used only in Baker Library.
Books and pamphlets added to the general collection before 1971 are in the Baker Library Old Class collection.

Core Collection

A collection of approximately 1,600 books reflecting the research and teaching interests of Harvard Business School.
Located in the Stamps Reading Room, the collection was begun in 1969 to allow easy browsing for patrons.
Core Collection by Call Number (Generated 3/7/2011)
Core Collection by Author (Generated 3/7/2011)

Baker Old Class

The portion of the general collection acquired prior to 1971.
The unique arrangement of the collection brings together books, periodicals, government documents, corporate histories, and pamphlets organized by industries in one place.
A valuable tool for historical research, particularly for tracing the development and growth of American business and industry from the late nineteenth to the first decades of the twentieth century.

Corporate Reports

Baker Library has one of the largest collections of corporate reports in the world.
Includes annual reports to shareholders, 10-Ks, 10-Qs, 20-Fs, 6-Ks, proxy statements, and prospectuses.

Historical Collections

Manuscripts and rare books from the fifteenth through the twentieth centuries, paper corporate report holdings dating back to the early nineteenth century, and the HBS Archives.
Many of these items have catalog records in the HOLLIS Catalog.
Patrons should contact the Historical Collections Reference Staff to schedule an appointment.

Serials (includes Newspapers and Journals)

Serials are listed by title and subject in the HOLLIS catalog. Both catalogs will give the location for print and microforms and link to electronic editions of many journals (also see e-Journals).
The current issue and up to two years of most active journals and magazines are housed in alphabetical order in the Stamps Reading Room, as are the most recent editions of several newspapers. See list of International Newspapers for the location of specific titles.
Bound volumes are kept in the Baker Library stacks or in Old Class.
Serials do not circulate outside of Baker Library.
Titles that ceased publication before 1971 are in the Baker Old Class collection. Request issues through the Old Class Retrieval Request Form.

Reference Collection

Located in the Stamps Reading Room.
Contains reference books in all the major areas of business, including company and industry directories, investment resources, encyclopedias, handbooks, statistical sources, bibliographies, and atlases.

Reserve Collection

Materials supporting currently taught HBS classes are kept on reserve. Inquire at the service desk in the Stamps Reading Room.
Reserve materials may be used in the library for a maximum of two hours.

Harvard Business School Thesis Collection

Locate using the HOLLIS Catalog (For online access to dissertations, see Dissertation Abstracts/Digital Dissertations (UMI).
Circulating collection of HBS DBA theses completed before 2005 is located in the Stamps Reading Room.
Archival copies are held in the Historical Collections Department together with selected HBS PhD (Business-Economics) theses. For more information, please contact the Historical Collections Reference Staff.
Microfilm copies of selected HBS theses since 1972 are available through University Microfilm Incorporated; earlier theses are available through the Imaging Lab at Harvard College (617-495-3995).

Working Papers

HBS Working papers can be located through HBS Faculty and Research Web site-Working Papers or the HOLLIS Catalog. Contact Baker Library Historical Collections to request a copy. All HBS Working Papers are copyrighted by their authors. For permission to reproduce, contact an author directly.