Barton FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the Barton catalog?
Barton is the gateway to the holdings of the MIT Libraries. These holdings include many different types of materials: 2.6 million printed volumes, 20,000 serial subscriptions, CDs, videos, microforms, online resources, and more. Fundamentally, Barton is a very large database of our collections - this database allows you to find materials by author, title, subject, and many other criteria; it also functions like an inventory system and tells you the precise location of items in the library and will provide pointers to online resources.
What isn't included in the Barton catalog?
• materials in most MIT independent libraries and reading rooms
• many materials published before 1963 are not included in the online catalog - a project is currently underway to get all these early materials cataloged; meanwhile consult the DDC microfiche catalog that is available in all the main MIT Libraries
• articles within the journals, conference proceedings or books that are owned by the MIT Libraries. To search for articles, use Vera to select a database for your area of research.
How do I access the Barton catalog?
You may connect to the Barton catalog:
• via the web: Barton catalog
• via a Z39.50 connection: Z39.50 Connection Information
• via EndNote - this software allows you to search the catalog, organize relevant citations, and build a bibliography
• at this time, there is no telnet access to the catalog
How can I get help learning how to search the Barton catalog and using all its features?
• see our video tutorials
• Barton Basics: a self-help guide to the MIT Libraries catalog
• get help from the MIT Libraries Ask Us! service or call a Service Desk
Must I enable Javascript on my browser to use the Barton catalog?
Without javascript you can do simple search and retrieval of items from Barton. Some services are only available with Javascript:

• Your Account functions like online renewals, placing holds, or requesting items from the Library Storage Annex
• Linking out of the catalog with URLs to the full text of online materials
• Extending your search through linked authors, titles or subjects.

Enable Javascript on your browser to take advantage of these features.
What is the recommended browser to use when searching the Barton catalog?
For best results, use the browsers (and versions) supported by IST. See: Web Browsers at MIT
To whom can I send comments about the catalogue?
If you have a reference question or need help finding materials, or if you have comments or questions about the functionality of the Barton catalog, please contact us via the Ask Us! service.

Questions? Contact Us