HathiTrust
Seventeen million scanned volumes from research libraries, with full-text search running across the entire lot.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
HathiTrust sits in Free Libraries under Learn, filed as coffee break.
- Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
- Use a laptop or desktop computer — we file it as desktop only.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something useful and brainy.
About this category: Public-domain books, scanned art, academic archives and collections built by people who cared far too much about one subject. Bring time.
Good for
- Filling a coffee break properly
- Getting something practical done
- Giving your brain a workout
- A quiet break at your desk
- Trying it with zero commitment
HathiTrust: quick answers
Is HathiTrust free?
Yes. HathiTrust is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use HathiTrust?
No. You can use HathiTrust without signing up for anything.
Does HathiTrust work on a phone?
Not well. We file HathiTrust as desktop only, so open it on a laptop or desktop computer.
Is HathiTrust safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does HathiTrust take?
We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.
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