A collection of reference materials in the Harvard University Archives relating to academic departments, research centers, laboratories, museums, libraries, and selected offices at or related to Harvard University. Contains official University publications, such as annual, technical and other reports, directories, and manuals, as well as periodicals and research publications issued by the unit. Examples are newsletters, bulletins, preprints, and occasionsl papers. Other material includes clippings, articles and news releases about the departments, etc.; leaflets; forms and notices; photographs and tape recordings; student lists; and financial statements.

Substantial amounts of material exist for the following units: Arnold Arboretum; Office for the Arts at Harvard and Radcliffe; Astronomical Observatory; Center for Astrophysics; Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory; Botanical Museum; Cambridge Electron Accelerator; Chemical Laboratories; Museum of Comparative Zoology; Computing Center of Harvard University; Cruft Laboratory; Dumbarton Oaks; East Asian Research Center; Harvard Economic Research Project; Division of Engineering and Applied Physics; Farlow Library and Herbarium; Fogg Art Museum; Harvard Forest; Busch-Reisinger Museum; Office of Career Services; Gray Herbarium; University Health Services; Office for Information Technology; Center for International Affairs; Harvard Institute for International Development; Center for Italian Renaissance Studies; The Library; Music Department; Peabody Museum; Personnel Office; Institute of Politics; Center for Population Studies; Harvard University Press; Department of Printing and Graphic Arts; Psychological Laboratory; Department of Psychology and Social Relations; Russian Research Center; Harvard Semitic Museum; Bureau of Study Counsel; Ukrainian Research Institute; Center for Urban Studies; and the Yenching Institute. This is a select list and does not include all of the units represented in the collection.