Service updates

Borrow Direct is back – You may now request physical books via Borrow Direct and we’ll ship them to you (campus or US/Canadian mailing addresses only). See below for more information.

The MIT Libraries are implementing a phased plan for providing access to physical collections. We will update this page as services evolve. Library locations and study spaces remain closed until further notice.

Most services will be limited to current MIT faculty, students, and staff. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Available now

Request digital copies of materials in our physical collections

Use our Quick Search or other search tools to find available content in our general circulating collections. If an item is only available in print/hard copy, order a digital equivalent by selecting “Request digital copy.”
For Distinctive Collections (Institute Archives, Manuscripts, etc.) materials, visit their requesting materials page for complete information.

Request delivery of books, media, and more

Use our Quick Search or other search tools to find available content in our general circulating collections.
If you require a physical copy of an item, select “Request item.”
You will be asked to provide a current address for delivery: either an MIT campus address or off-campus within the United States or Canada (other international users should request digital copies via the Suggest a Purchase form).

Request materials we don’t own

Books/physical items: Request via Borrow Direct or Suggest a purchase for delivery to campus dorms/offices or US/Canadian mailing addresses (if an e-version is available, we’ll get it!).
Articles/book chapters: Request via Illiad/Interlibrary Borrowing. Requesting physical materials from regular Interlibrary Borrowing remains suspended until further notice.

Please note that turnaround times are likely to be longer than usual, as our safety protocols limit the number of library staff on campus. Thank you for your understanding.

Get help

Our Ask Us services are available online for general help, research, and reference questions.
Subject expert librarians can teach in MIT online classes, on topics ranging from archival research to literature reviews and more. They are also available for remote consultation and can be reached via email.
Data Services (GIS, DMS and Statistical Services) provides assistance across the Institute in data management, creation, visualization, and analysis in support of all aspects of the research, teaching, and learning workflows.
Distinctive Collections provides reference consultations (with materials) via Zoom. Visit their requesting materials page for complete information.
For help with copyright questions related to digitizing materials, please contact scholarlypub@mit.edu.

Access electronic materials and collections

All of our e-books, online journals, databases, and other streaming/electronic materials remain available as usual. See more information about how to authenticate to online resources.
Libraries staff have coordinated with major publishers and digital platforms to provide expanded and free resources for remote teaching, learning, and research.
Get access to online resources from public libraries. Any MA resident can get a Boston Public Library e-borrowing card.

Get materials for course reserves

Significant changes have been made to the course reserves service to better support the largely online environment.
There will be no print reserves for the Spring of 2021. Visit the Spring 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions for complete information.

Returning materials

We are now offering prepaid domestic UPS shipping labels, one per semester per person, to MIT students, faculty, and staff who are ready to return MIT Libraries’ items, as well as materials obtained through ILB or Borrow Direct.
To request a label, please email circulation@mit.edu with your mailing address, email, and phone number. Labels must be used within 30 days.
See our Borrow and request page for information regarding on-campus and international returns.