Harvard Crimson Op/Ed: “We’re Using Harvard’s Libraries Wrong”

As AI makes research more convenient than ever, we shouldn’t forget the irreplaceability of physical libraries. Harvard’s libraries are home to fascinating collections and dedicated spaces for everything from poetry to data visualization — spaces that ought to be used. Perhaps the most underutilized of those resources are the Library’s employees.

Undergrads, it’s time to go talk to an actual librarian. What may seem like an unnecessary detour will refine the output of your work and invaluably enrich your ideas.

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But for many students, libraries on campus serve mainly as locations to study. The books on the shelves may as well be wallpaper, while the quiet corners of Lamont serve as a perfect place to crank out an essay or Crimson piece. We are missing out on the immeasurable insight gained through talking with librarians and archivists — people who spend each day caring for an immense physical wealth of knowledge.

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Filed under: Data Files, Libraries, News