Owned and operated by Harvard University under the directorship of the Harvard Library administration, we are the University Library's remote archival storage facility for books, special collections, manuscripts, films, tapes, mircoforms, maps and other materials. We also serve the record storage needs of over 400 of Harvard's departments, programs and offices as directed by Records Management Services of the University Archives.
Our mission is to first provide a secure archival environment for the long-term preservation of Harvard Library's extraordinary collection of material. Second, to provide reliable access to its valued community and third, to achieve an efficient, cost-effective use of storage space.
Five overarching goals direct the Depository's mission:
- To protect and preserve the collections entrusted to our care.
- To meet or exceed client and archival storage industry standards for services.
- To apply cost-effective principles in all aspects of operations and administration to the maximum benefit of libraries and the University.
- To conduct ongoing qualitative and quantitative measurement and continual analysis and reporting of performance.
- To sustain a work environment that promotes teamwork, cooperation and communication as values supporting our mission.
The guidelines and specifications described in this website were developed for the special conditions existing at the Harvard Depository and do not constitute recommendations to other entities. This document should not be utilized at other facilities without appropriate internal review.