Was indeed a library. The steps are usually covered in students with a light smattering of squirrels thrown in for good measure.

One of the finest collections of books in the world! Totally worth your while going in and exploring a bit. Guided tours available. Its a personal dream to go through all the history thats in the pages resting at the Widener Library! Anyway, check out the building too. An architectural wonder!

Really cool place. Very photo genic library. Extremely historical and modern significance. Think of the great minds of studying this library. The library is beautiful during the day as well as at night. Great destination for tourists as well. Just be sure to park the car in Harvard Yard.

Undoubtedly the worst library catalog of a reputedly important library. Even in the library, all catalogue terminals do not take you to the catalogue, but (if and only if you know which icons to click on) to a page which reads OOPS this is not Hollis. And when you reach Hollis, it constantly lists books which are no longer shelved in Widener, periodicals which are no longer shelved in Widener and are purportedly available on line, though in my experience seldom actually available on line. In order to use a Harvard Key to request books not on the shelves library serves require you to own a mobile phone. I trust prospective students are told what an expensive disaster this catalog actuality is.

One of my favourite things is reading. I’m really glad that I visited this amazing library.

Absolutely gorgeous. Worthy monument to knowledge. Great infrastructure, great atmosphere.

Hmm... Everyone looks genius... So do I? (July, 2019)

It is a library of Harvard that so many visitors came to take a picture but cant get inside. It is remodeled with 4 more basement floors but looks like the same of the original shape

Learned

Excellent place.. Need someone with a Harvard Id to get in though. Someone with a Harvard Id can take upto 4 guests

Old on the outside, closed on Sunday so we couldn’t get in...

Stellar people: all round helpful and a very safe/clean library.

What a great place for a scholar! The massiveness if the building can be a bit overwhelming, but the quality of the reading rooms as well as the availability of books is just amazing. Most interesting however are the stacks where you will find a gigantic collection of books on possible any topic you can think of. Also the staff is super helpful. An original Luther Bible makes the extraordinary nature of this building complete.

Huge Library built to replace Gore hall the earlier library to be RE-NAMED after an ex student Harry Elkins Widener in his memory with grants from his mother with condition to name the library after her son..contains 3.5 million books.....spread on 10 floors

Beautiful library inside and out. Please note that to gain entrance you will need to be in the company of a Harvard student! Up to three guests are allowed per student.

Outstanding library. Biggest one I’ve ever been in. My sister will be here next year!

Feeling more motivated to focus when studying here. Study to the advancement of human technology and knowledge.

Snobby jerk library. I couldnt get in as a Tufts graduate student without a letter from Tufts. You have to be an Ivy-leaguer (there is an actual list). Meanwhile there are people at non-ivy places getting nobel prizes, the MIT libraries are open to everyone, and I have a card that allows me to use the Library of Congress, but somehow this library thinks it is superior to the Library of Congress. Screw Harvard, bunch of self-important punks with no interest in advancing education.

Great Library! Viit the stacks if you can! :)

Open 24 hours.

Must enter with a student

Bright, spacious, grand -- 10 levels of books in the Stacks and huge reading rooms. Staff is professional and efficient. Harvard students can bring 4 guests into general areas and parents/guardians (not siblings or friends) into the Stacks. Newly admitted students can have same access and guest privileges as students upon showing admission letter.

This library is only accesible to Harvard students. I was not able to tour the inside when I visited the campus.

Gorgeous library, the bigger than Ive ever seen.

An important landmark in Harvard Yard, this library is definitely a must-see. I personally find Lamont Library to be a more comfortable studying experience, but Wideners stacks and its capacious and eerily silent study rooms are hard to match!

A beautiful library at th heart of Harvards campus. Please note that entrance requires Harvard affiliation, so as to prevent hordes of tourists from disrupting students studying. Having had the privilege of entering widened I can say that its truly gigantic. Harvard owns the third largest collection of books in the world and the largest collection of all universities, which you never really believe until you enter the sheer endless stacks of books here.

Great environment for learning.

Beautiful library. A must see building for anyone visiting Harvard. I havent had the chance to visit inside though. You need the student ID for that !

A vast library, where you can easily get lost and spend an entire day. The book collection is superb. Sometimes it can get a little bit cold so try to bring a sweater if you decide to stay longer.

One of the greatest libraries in the world

I loved it, it is perfect place for knowledge hungry people.

Breathtaking and majestic. Harvard students can bring four guests inside the library.

It will be wonderful if tourists were able to go inside!

One of the great libraries of the world. Limited access for Harvard affiliates.

Absolutely beautiful library, with a huge collection of books.

Its Beautiful!

Beautiful library with a great open and spacious study room.

I wanted to pay a visit to this library and experience the academic environment in Harvard, but the sign at the entrance told me that I must present my Harvard ID to enter, which means this library does not welcome non-Harvard people. Quite annoying.

One of the best libraries

You can see it in the 21 movie.

No entrance without an Harvard ID.

It great

Dont forget to check the stack!

Beautiful building.

Wonderful treasure.

Crazy nice

Great library

Beautiful library

Descend into the stacks.... if you dare!

Too bad we couldnt get in... Seems to be great inside.

No parking place at all

Wonderful place. I loved.

Peace to the world