Harvard Kennedy School

HKS Library Newsletter

June @ HKS Library ☀️

Now that Commencement Week is behind us, we're ready to settle in for the summer. Your HKS library staff will be hard at work prepping for the fall, but we're still more than happy to support any of your research needs. Reach out any time!

In this newsletter you'll find:

Key library metrics from the 2023-2024 academic year 📈
New book display: LGBTQ+ Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈
Reminder: HKS Library closed in June for renovations 🏗️

Key library metrics from the 2023-2024 academic year 📈

We are so grateful to our community for enthusiastically engaging with us this past year! You trusted us with your coursework and research projects, learned with us, and spent many hours in the HKS Library. Below are some key ways you allowed us to serve you in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. We're already looking forward to next year!

Four key metrics from the HKS Library during academic year 2023-2024. 28,902 items checked out and returned. Over 5,000 patron interactions including emails, desk visits, consultations, etc. 187 events (that's almost 5 every week!). 3,835 event and instruction attendees.

Six books from the HKS Library's LGBTQ+ Pride Month book display.

New book display: LGBTQ+ Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

June is Pride Month! 55 years ago, the trans women-led Stonewall Uprising sparked the modern LGBTQ+ movement in New York City. The first Pride march took place a year later, creating a lasting tradition.

Today, Pride Month is "an opportunity to reflect on the decades-long struggles of LGBTQ people and to raise awareness of the current injustices still experienced in the community" (HKS Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging). In this spirit, our book display features literary nonfiction, novels, memoirs, and poetry about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences, as well as books on LGBTQ+ politics, history, activism, academia, and research methods. It also includes a selection of LGBTQ movement buttons from our Political Buttons Collection.

The HKS Library is closed in June (details below), but we invite everyone to explore the digital display. Harvard affiliates can still request the books through HOLLIS for pickup at any other Harvard library.

Door sign at the main HKS Library entrance informing patrons of the June library closure.

Reminder: HKS Library closed in June for renovations 🏗️

Between June 1st and 30th, the HKS Library will be closed for renovations. We'll be making accessibility upgrades, increasing the amount of quiet study space, and enabling the library to stay open for longer hours.

During the renovation, you can still:

Email and meet virtually with a librarian, Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM. Make a virtual appointment.
Return library materials via the bookdrop at the HKS Library entrance, or to any other Harvard library.
Request offsite HKS Library materials for pickup at other Harvard libraries.

You will not be able to:

Enter the HKS Library.
Check out physical materials, including books and technology (e.g., laptop chargers).
Request onsite materials from the HKS Library for pickup at other Harvard libraries.
Request material from other Harvard libraries for pickup at the HKS Library.

We are tentatively planning to reopen on July 1. In the meantime, please email library_research@hks.harvard.edu with questions. Thank you for your understanding – we look forward to seeing you in person again later this summer!

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF LAND AND PEOPLE

Harvard University is located on the traditional land of the Massachusett people, and the Nipmuc and Wampanoag Nations have long been our neighbors as well. Harvard Kennedy School recognizes and honors the past, present, and future of these Indigenous people and precious lands.

HKS librarians can support your research and academic work. Ask us a question or schedule a meeting.

Contact the Library