Visitors
Library Services for Outside Users

The MIT Libraries' primary purpose is to support MIT's teaching, research, and scholarly activities. Access to some resources and services is reserved for the MIT community.

Current MIT faculty, students and staff have priority access to physical, electronic, and staff resources. All users must abide by the Libraries Guidelines for Use and Computer Use Policy.

Library Use

Access to Collections

All categories of users may access the MIT Libraries’ open stack collections, government depository material, and the Institute Archives. Visitors are welcome, although restrictions apply during exam periods in December and May. Users without MIT library borrowing privileges may be asked to register at the circulation desk of the library they are using. At their discretion, the MIT Libraries may limit or refuse access by individuals or groups whose behavior fails to comply with the Libraries' Guidelines for Use.

Library Storage Annex

Access to the Annex, Building N57, requires an appointment made one business day ahead. Please call 617-253-7040 or fill out a request form at http://libraries.mit.edu/lsa.

Document Delivery and Interlibrary Lending

Copies of MIT theses, research publications, and out-of-print MIT Press books are available through Document Services, which also lends MIT Libraries materials to libraries and businesses in accordance with library policy. No MIT affiliation is needed to use these services.

Institute Archives

Users are asked to make appointments to consult materials (most of the collection is stored off-site). Contact the Reference Archivist, Institute Archives, MIT, Building 14N-118, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 617-253-5136 617-258-7305 (fax) http://libraries.mit.edu/archives

Government Documents

As a selective US Federal Depository Library, the MIT Libraries will provide access to government information in accordance with the requirements of the Depository Program.  Depository users must adhere to the same standards of behavior expected of other library patrons.

Borrowing Privileges

Library Privilege Cards (P-cards) permit borrowing of materials, with some exceptions, in accordance with library policy. For more details on P-cards, including cost, how to purchase, and limitations on use, please see Privilege Cards (P-cards).

Please note: Borrowing privileges do not include offsite access to licensed electronic material (i.e. databases and ejournals).

This page was last updated on 02/04/08