About Us > FAQs

General MIT Libraries FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

About us: the MIT Libraries as a place

1. What is the Library Storage Annex?
2. What hours are the Libraries open?
3. Is there a map of the MIT Libraries?
4. May MIT alumni use the MIT Libraries?
5. Can my spouse/children use the MIT Libraries?
6. What libraries other than MIT's may I use (Harvard, BLC, etc.)?
7. How can I find a job/employment in the Libraries?
8. Can I get wireless access to the MITnet in the Libraries?
9. Where are photocopiers, how much do they cost, where do I buy copycards?
10. Where can I find study spaces in the Libraries?
11. Where can I find adaptive equipment and software?

Research help

1. How can I get help with my research?
2. Can I use EndNote to connect to the catalog and databases?

Searching our collections: finding books, journals, etc.

1. How do I use the online catalog (Barton)?
2. What are the settings required to connect to the MIT Libraries' catalog using a Z39.50 client?
3. Where can I find information about patents, standards or theses?
4. How do I get access to a journal article I have a citation for?
5. What online databases are available?
6. How do I find articles on my topic?
7. What non-print materials are available (film, video, audio, etc.)?
8. What should I do if I'm having trouble accessing online resources from off-campus?
9. How do I find data?

Borrowing/ordering: circulation, ILB and retrieval from storage

1. Where can I return a book?
2. How can I renew a book?
3. How can I get a book that someone else has checked out (request a hold)?
4. How do I get a book from storage (the Annex or Off Campus Collection)?
5. How can I get a book/article not owned by MIT?

About us: the MIT Libraries as a place

1. What is the Library Storage Annex?
   The Library Storage Annex [formerly known as the RetroSpective Collection (RSC)] is a storage facility near Central Square.
   
   
2. What hours are the Libraries open?
   Please consult our hours page.
   
   
3. Is there a map of the MIT Libraries?
   Yes, please consult our campus map.
   
   
4. May MIT alumni use the MIT Libraries?
   The MIT Libraries encourage alumni/ae of the Institute to make use of the Libraries during their visits to campus. Library Services for MIT Alumni/ae
   
   
5. Can my spouse/children use the MIT Libraries?
   Yes. To borrow books, they must register at any of the MIT Libraries circulation desks - some form of ID is required for registration. No card or ID is needed to read in the library.
   
   
6. What libraries other than MIT's may I use (Harvard, BLC, etc.)?
   The MIT community may use any of the Boston Library Consortium libraries, as well as many of those at Harvard University. In addition, faculty may obtain on-site access and/or borrowing privileges at over 160 research libraries participating in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program. Access to non-MIT libraries
   
   
7. How can I find a job/employment in the Libraries?
   Please consult our jobs page.
   
   
8. Can I get wireless access to the MITnet in the Libraries?
   Yes. Please consult Wireless MITnet access@MIT
   
   
9. Where are photocopiers, how much do they cost, where do I buy copycards?
   Please consult our photocopiers page.
   
   
10. Where can I find study spaces in the Libraries?
    Please visit our Study Spaces page for lists of attractive Individual-Study and Group-Study spaces.
    
    
11. Where can I find adaptive equipment and software?
    Please visit our Adaptive Equipment & Software page. More information for library users with disabilities can be found on our Services for persons with disabilities page.
    

Research help

1. How can I get help with my research?
   Please consult our Ask Us! page.
   
   
2. Can I use EndNote to connect to the catalog and databases?
   Please consult our Using Endnote pages.
   
   
   

Searching our collections: finding books, journals, etc.

1. How do I use the online catalog (Barton)?
   Connect to the Barton catalog. In the top frame, click on "Help, " for instructions on searching the catalog. See also the Barton FAQ
   
   
2. What are the settings required to connect to the MIT Libraries' catalog using a Z39.50 client?
   See our Z39.50 Connection Information page.
   
   
3. Where can I find information about patents, standards, theses and other publication types?
   Please consult our publication types help page.
   
   
4. How do I get access to a journal article I have a citation for?
   First try entering your complete citation in our SFX FullText Finder. If electronic access is not available, be sure to check Barton to see if it's available in print. If we do not have the article, you may request it through  Interlibrary Borrowing (ILB) or go to another library that does own it (access to non-MIT libraries).
   
   
5. What online databases are available?
   You may search Vera for a specific database or browse for one alphabetically or by subject.
   
   
6. How do I find articles on my topic?
   Use Vera to find a database that covers your subject area (architecture, engineering, psychology, etc.). Then search that database to find citations to articles on your specific topic. If the database does not contain the full text, search Barton to see if we own the journal online or in print.
   
   
7. What non-print materials are available (film, video, audio, etc.)?
   The Rotch Visual Collection houses many films, slides and videos, while the Lewis Music Library is home to many audio recordings on LP, tape and CD. Search Barton for materials throughout the Libraries - be sure to limit the search by specific format.
   
   
8. What should I do if I'm having trouble accessing online resources from off-campus?
   Please consult our off-campus access FAQ.
   
   
9. How do I find data?
   The Libraries page on Data & GIS Resources will take you to sites where you can access numeric and spatial data and find information about services available for data research.
   

Borrowing/ordering: circulation, ILB and retrieval from storage

1. Where can I return a book?
   Books may be returned to any MIT library except the Institute Archives. Reserve books must be returned to the library from which they were borrowed and music CDs must be returned to the Music Library. Circulation FAQ
   
   
2. How can I renew a book?
   Visit or call any library. Libraries at MIT
   
   
3. How can I get a book that someone else has checked out (request a hold)?
   Please consult the Circulation FAQ.
   
   
4. How do I get a book from storage (The Annex or Off Campus Collection)?
   Fill out the web form on the Annex homepage - books are delivered to campus libraries on weekdays, usually within 24-48 hours (sometimes faster).
   
   
5. How can I get a book/article not owned by MIT?
   If we do not own a book or journal, you may request the book or specific article through Interlibrary Borrowing (ILB) or go to another library that does own it (Access to non-MIT libraries).

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