Update:

We have resumed some on-campus services, including book pickup, virtual consultations, and fulfilling scanning/digitization requests. Many library materials are available online, but our buildings remain closed until further notice.

Cabot Science Library

Today: Virtual Only

Highlights

A 24-hour space for student collaboration and study, with studios for media production and support for science and engineering research and education.

  • Video recording studio
  • Borrow gear and tech
  • Consults on science projects
  • Collaborative and quiet study
Open to all Harvard ID holders. Visitors with local university IDs are welcome to sign-in. Public welcome at open events.

Spaces

Cabot has a variety of innovative spaces that can be reserved by Harvard faculty, staff and students — from chat booths and group study spaces to media studios. The library also have open spaces filled with various seating options for taking a break or getting your work done. 

A group study room in Cabot.
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Group Study Rooms

Cabot has several spaces designed for group study. Reserve one now.

One of Cabot's two media production studios
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Media Studios

Cabot's Media Studios are designed to provide high-quality audio and video recordings with only minimal training.

Video Conferencing Room
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Video Conferencing Room

Cabot's video conferencing room features two large screens and a video camera, which support live interaction with remote locations.

Cabot Instruction Room
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Instruction Room

With long tables and movable chairs, this classroom-style room converts easily into is perfect for large group meetings and presentations.

The entrance to the virtual reality studios on the second floor of the Cabot Science Library.
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AR/VR Studio

Explore different worlds and universes with the HTC Vive Headset.

Browse All Cabot Spaces
Filter by noise level, comfy furniture and more.

Booking Space for an Event

The Cabot Science Library has many flexible spaces great for events of all types — including the Discovery Bar, Puzzle Tables, video conference room, instruction room, and open spaces on the main and lower levels.
 

The entrance and main level of the Cabot Science Library.
The entrance and main level of the Cabot Science Library.

If you're interested in booking an event at Cabot, fill out this form and we will get back to you within approximately two business days.

Event Request Form

Things to keep in mind

  • Library approval is needed for reservation of event spaces.
  • Academic events are given priority.
  • Food is allowed in most areas of Cabot. Any catering or setup arrangements are the responsibility of the event organizer, in consultation with the Cabot Library staff assistant.
  • Events can only be held during normal library open hours. Please review the library hours, particularly during holidays, university breaks, and summer to ensure the library is open when you need it.
  • Coordination with the Science Center, where Cabot Science Library is located, will be required for all large events, with special attention for events that may affect the cafe and courtyard.
  • Large events may incur a clean up fee.

Using the Library

Collections

History

The Godfrey Lowell Cabot Science Library opened its doors in 1973.

Named for for Godfrey Lowell Cabot (1861–1962), Class of 1882 — an industrial chemist, manufacturer of carbon black, aviation pioneer, and benefactor of the sciences — the library was conceived as a part of Harvard's Science Center, which also opened in 1973.
 

Under the stewardship of Dr. Alan E. Erickson, who served as librarian from the library's inception until his retirement at the end of 1991, Cabot rapidly became one of the busiest libraries on campus.

As library collections in the physical science and engineering become increasingly electronic, and the needs of student study space have changed over the years, a number of departmental libraries have closed as service points and their collections have been integrated into the Cabot Science Library. That includes the Kummel Library for the Geological Sciences in 2005, the McKay Blue Hill Engineering Library in 2016, the Physics Library in 2017, and the Chemistry and Chemical Biology Library in 2018.

Cabot underwent a significant renovation in 2016-2017, along with the Science Center's Cafe and Courtyard.
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