{"id":1830,"date":"2026-04-07T12:26:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:26:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/about\/?page_id=1830"},"modified":"2026-04-07T12:26:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T12:26:05","slug":"service-updates","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/about\/service-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"Service updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Get the latest information about the MIT community\u2019s access to library collections, spaces, and services.<\/p>\n<p>Have a question that isn\u2019t answered here? <a href=\"\/ask\/\">Ask Us<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"mitlib-alert\"><i><\/i><\/p>\n<div>\n<h3>Barker Library access update<\/h3>\n<p>The Reading Room (under the dome) and select areas of the 5th floor are open 24\/7 with MIT ID. Barker collections are available by request, with several pickup and delivery options available.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary\" href=\"\/news\/barker-library-access-update\/44196\/\">More information<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h3>Getting materials<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>All circulating collections are available by request. See more information on <a href=\"\/research-support\/get-materials-via-the-libraries\/#cd\">requesting materials, pickup and delivery options, and turnaround times<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Collections in Dewey, Hayden, Lewis, and Rotch are available for in-person browsing during <a href=\"\/hours\/\">staffed hours<\/a>. <a href=\"\/search-collections\">Search our collections<\/a> any time.<\/li>\n<li>The Libraries will pay for your access to the journal literature you need, even with cut-backs on paywalled journal subscriptions. If we don\u2019t already own or subscribe to an item, we can purchase or borrow it at no cost to you. Learn more about <a href=\"\/research-support\/get-materials-via-the-libraries\/\">requesting articles and turnaround times.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Study space<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"\/barker\">Barker Library<\/a> Reading Room (under the dome) and select study areas of the 5th floor are open 24\/7 with MIT ID. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All other Barker spaces are accessible to staff only.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Dewey Library will close in June 2026. We will share detailed information on this page once it\u2019s available.<\/li>\n<li>See current <a href=\"\/hours\/\">hours<\/a> for all locations, <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">including those with <a href=\"\/study\/24x7\/\">24\/7 study space<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Research support<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>All our <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/experts\/\">subject librarians<\/a> are available to meet with you in person or virtually. Staff in <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/data-services\/\">Data Services<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/scholarly\/about\/\">Scholarly Communications<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/libanswers.mit.edu\/ask-ddc\">Distinctive Collections<\/a> are also available for consultations.<\/li>\n<li>Visit our Information Desks for help during regular <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/hours\/\">staffed hours<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/ask\/\">Ask Us<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>FAQ<\/h3>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\">The letter to the community said you will be cutting back on paywalled journal subscriptions. Will I have to pay for access to articles?<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>No. The Libraries will still pay for your access to the journal literature you need. By switching from buying subscriptions \u2013 which often include lots of journals and articles that are rarely or never used \u2013 to a per-article service, we can save money while still getting the articles you need. We have always used a variety of strategies to ensure you have access to the content you need, even when materials are not purchased directly or renewed.<\/p>\n<p>For easy access to scholarly articles available via the Libraries, download the <a href=\"https:\/\/libguides.mit.edu\/c.php?g=1446634&amp;p=10750796#s-lg-box-wrapper-39789687\">LibKey Nomad browser extension<\/a>. Whenever you\u2019re on a website with academic articles, LibKey Nomad will automatically check if we provide access to them. If we do, a button will appear; simply click for direct access to the full text.<\/p>\n<p>If we no longer have a subscription to a journal, you can request PDFs of articles from the journal. They will be delivered to your email, in most cases very quickly \u2013 more than 85% of these requests are filled within one minute. For full instructions on requesting materials, see <a href=\"\/research-support\/get-materials-via-the-libraries\/\">Get materials via the MIT Libraries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\"><strong>Will the Libraries still provide funding for MIT authors to publish open access?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>The Libraries continue to have agreements with <a href=\"\/scholarly\/publishing\/oa-publishing-support\/\">several publishers<\/a> that cover full article processing charges for preprints, journals and additional agreements that provide discounts. Unfortunately, as of July 1, 2025, the Libraries\u2019 open access (OA) articles fund has been suspended, and support for OA monographs has been reduced. If an MIT author would like to <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdRA_cqhGcDtJPKaPm4-pJ3R4NhDL62gnXbDdVdOj_zVdKnWA\/viewform\">submit a request for OA monograph funding<\/a>, they can do so. We will consider requests on a case-by-case basis, as funding allows. MIT Libraries remains committed to open access publishing, and we know this news is disappointing. For additional questions about publishing open access, <a href=\"https:\/\/libanswers.mit.edu\/ask-scholarly-communications\">contact our Scholarly Communications team<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\"><strong>What will happen to the books in Barker and Dewey?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>Books and other print materials currently located in Barker and Dewey will continue to be available to you by request. Most will remain on campus, in closed stacks, although a limited number of items from Barker and Dewey will be moved to the open browsable stacks in Hayden. You will be able to request any of these collections directly from our catalog and choose the campus pick-up location most convenient for you. Office delivery will continue to be available for MIT faculty, academic\/research staff, and some postdocs.<\/p>\n<p>For assistance requesting materials, see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/research-support\/get-materials-via-the-libraries\/\">Get materials via the MIT Libraries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\"><strong>Is Barker Library closed?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No. While there will no longer be a staffed service desk, Barker Library will continue to provide 24\/7 study space in the reading room under the Great Dome and on-site collections, which will be available by request.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\"><strong>Is Rotch Library closing?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>There are no plans to close Rotch Library at this time, but we do know that staffing in that location will be reduced in June 2027. The Libraries and the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) have formed a joint task force to discuss how Rotch can meet the needs of the community, considering the Libraries\u2019 reduced staffing and SA+P\u2019s move to the Met Warehouse. The task force will make recommendations to the Provost\u2019s Office this spring on topics including services, collections, technologies, special collections, and study spaces.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/akdc\/\">Aga Khan Documentation Center<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/data-services\/gis-data-lab\/\">GIS &amp; Data Lab,<\/a>\u00a0which are currently located in Rotch Library, will not be impacted by these changes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\"><strong>Library staff have been extremely helpful to me in my research\/coursework. Will I still have access to these services with the upcoming staffing reductions?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>Yes. The Libraries are not reducing any of the <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/experts\/\">subject librarian<\/a>\u00a0roles or the staff in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/data-services\/\">Data Services<\/a>. Subject librarians with offices currently in Dewey or Barker will still be available to meet with you in person or virtually. Our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/ask\/\">Ask Us service<\/a>\u00a0(available via chat or email) can also connect you to the resources you need or direct you to an expert for a more in-depth research consultation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\"><strong>Will I be able to browse physical collections in person anymore?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>Yes. Hayden Library will remain a browsable collection. Over time we hope to create a more interdisciplinary collection in Hayden by moving heavily used items and items most used for browsing from other locations into Hayden. The Lewis Music Library physical collections also remain browsable.<\/p>\n<p>We also encourage you to make use of an online browsing tool, the virtual shelf feature. It appears in search results and includes collections regardless of location or whether they are currently checked out. <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/search-collections\/\">Search our collections to get started<\/a>. We are also currently developing an improved online search experience that will provide more comprehensive results from across multiple catalogs and systems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"expandable\">\n<h3><a href=\"#\"><strong>What about study and meeting space for the community?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<p>We know that physical library spaces play a critical role for the community, and we have significantly increased our amount of <a href=\"https:\/\/libraries.mit.edu\/study\/24x7\/\">24\/7 study space<\/a>\u00a0in recent years. We will keep the popular study spaces in Barker and Hayden accessible 24\/7 to community members with MIT ID. Rotch will also continue to provide 24\/7 space while the joint task force on the future of Rotch considers future study space needs in its recommendations (see above).<\/p>\n<p>While Dewey will no longer be an MIT Libraries space, the Institute will consider how it can be repurposed to meet study space and other needs on that end of campus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get the latest information about the MIT community\u2019s access to library collections, spaces, and services. Have a question that isn\u2019t answered here? Ask Us. Barker Library access update The Reading Room (under the dome) and select areas of the 5th floor are open 24\/7 with MIT ID. Barker collections are available by request, with several pickup and delivery options available. More information Getting materials All circulating collections are available by request. See more information on requesting materials, pickup and delivery options, and turnaround times. Collections in Dewey, Hayden, Lewis, and Rotch are available for in-person browsing during staffed hours. 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