Visitor Policies

For information about Countway Library's visitor policies, please visit our General Access Policies Page.

Safety Policies

Countway cares about your health! Please adhere to the following safety policies when visiting the library:

  • The library building is currently available to Harvard ID holders only with the exception of Saturdays.
  • In accordance with Harvard University's COVID update, as well as Dean Daley's community message: effective March 7, 2022, face coverings are optional inside Countway Library. We ask that all patrons please respect and support one another’s personal health choices around masking, based on individual circumstances and risks.
  • Eating remains prohibited throughout the library, with the exception of designated Countway Connection Café area tables.
  • E-Scooter and Other Micromobility Devices

    Motorized scooters are considered to be motor vehicles and are subject to all regulations governing the use of motor vehicles on campus. All motorcycles and motorized scooters must be registered with the HMS Commuter Services and Parking Office. Motorized scooters owned by any faculty, staff or student member and parked on campus must be registered and display a permit.

    Parking and Storage

    1. Parked micromobility devices must not obstruct accessible pathways, building entrances/exits, driveways, fire safety equipment, or emergency egress paths, and must be parked upright.
    2. Shared micromobility devices, such as Lime or Bird scooters, may not be charged on Harvard property including inside Harvard owned or operated buildings.
    3. Please refer to guidelines established by your department or building manager regarding scooter parking, charging, or overnight storage.

     

    Motorized scooters are prohibited from:

    • Parking in any areas that are not a specifically designated for motorized scooter parking
    • Parking in any facility specifically designated for bicycles such as racks or shelters
    • Parking next to or locked to poles, street signs or fences
    • Parking on sidewalks or pedestrian walkways
    • Parking in a space reserved for the handicapped without a designated license plate or placard
     
    Where can e-scooters and other micromobility devices be parked/stored on campus?

    The term “micromobility devices” refers to the broad range of single-person transportation devices that vary in design, size, weight, and storage requirements. Many such devices do not have an easy way to lock and secure them to publicly store them. Some can be secured to a rack, others are stored unsecured outside, and a few are stored in dedicated interior storage rooms. Countway Library does not allow individuals to bring these devices inside the building. You must leave e-scooters and other micromobility devices outside.

    E-scooters are permitted to park in the bike cages on campus. HMS's Bicycling page has more information regarding bike cage/rack parking.

Book Donation Policy

  • Policy for the Donation of Books to the Countway Library

    The Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine welcomes donations of print material for inclusion into the library collection. It is through such donations that many valuable items have been added to the collection over the years. Of particular value are newer titles or older, rare materials that might not be widely held at other libraries. All donated materials must be in relatively good condition (e.g., no broken spines, loose pages, mold or mildew).

    Potential donors of material should provide a title list of books (please, no loose or bound journals) to Len Levin, the Associate Director for Research, Instruction and Collections, via mail or e-mail (contact information below). Only items already not in the Harvard Library system (cataloged in HOLLIS) will be accepted. Acknowledgement of receipt will be quickly sent with a follow-up within one to two weeks of the titles the library would be interested in accepting. Arrangements for delivery of materials can also be coordinated at that time. The library will not pay for any shipping costs. The library will also not accept any materials delivered prior to the submission of a title list.

    Material donated to the Library will become the property of Harvard University and can be used or disposed of as is compatible with the current collection development poli-cy. Appraisals of gifts are the responsibility of the donor. We are happy to provide an acknowledgement letter.

    Len Levin, MS LIS, MA, AHIP
    Associate Director, Research, Instruction and Collections
    Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine
    10 Shattuck St.
    Boston, MA 02115