Baker Library/Bloomberg Center

HBSWinter(edited)

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Baker Library/Bloomberg Center

The Baker Library/Bloomberg Center is a prominent facility located at the Harvard Business School (HBS) in Boston, Massachusetts. It serves as the primary library and research center for the business school, providing extensive resources and services to support the academic and professional needs of students, faculty, and researchers.

History

The Baker Library was established in 1927, named after George Fisher Baker, a notable banker and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of the library. In 2005, the library underwent a major renovation and expansion, which included the addition of the Bloomberg Center, named after Michael Bloomberg, an HBS alumnus and former mayor of New York City, who made a substantial donation to the project.

Architecture

The Baker Library/Bloomberg Center is renowned for its architectural design, which combines classical and modern elements. The original building, designed by the architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, features a grand reading room, elegant study spaces, and extensive archival collections. The Bloomberg Center addition, designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, includes state-of-the-art facilities, collaborative workspaces, and advanced technology to support modern research and learning.

Collections and Resources

The library houses one of the most comprehensive collections of business and management literature in the world. Its holdings include:

• Over 600,000 volumes of books and bound periodicals
• Extensive collections of business archives and manuscripts
• A vast array of electronic resources, including databases, e-journals, and e-books
• Special collections such as the Baker Old Class Collection and the Kress Collection of Business and Economics

Services

The Baker Library/Bloomberg Center offers a wide range of services to support the research and learning needs of the HBS community, including:

• Research consultations and reference services
• Access to specialized databases and research tools
• Workshops and training sessions on information literacy and research skills
• Interlibrary loan and document delivery services

Exhibits and Events

The library regularly hosts exhibits and events that highlight its collections and promote scholarly engagement. These include:

• Rotating exhibits in the Stamps Reading Room and other gallery spaces
• Lectures, panel discussions, and conferences on business and management topics
• Workshops and seminars on archival research and primary source materials

Related Pages

• Harvard Business School
• George Fisher Baker
• Michael Bloomberg
• McKim, Mead & White
• Robert A.M. Stern Architects
• Baker Old Class Collection
• Kress Collection of Business and Economics