We are working to restart select services while keeping our staff and the MIT community as safe as possible. We will update this page and the Libraries’ service updates page as plans evolve. Library locations and study spaces remain closed until further notice.

Initial 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 and Distinctive Collections. If an item is only available in print/hard copy, order a digital equivalent by selecting “Request digital copy.”

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. (We are currently working to address international users’ needs; please check back for more information.)

Please note that turnaround times are likely to be longer than usual, as our safety protocols limit the number of library staff on campus. We will update this page as we learn more about the volume of requests and how quickly we can fulfill them. Thank you for your understanding.

Access electronic materials and collections

• All of our e-books, online journals, databases, and other streaming/electronic materials remain available as usual – find what you need using our Quick Search or other search tools. 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.

Request materials we don’t own

• You may request a purchase of electronic copies of materials needed to support online learning and remote work at MIT.
• If we don’t own or don’t currently have access to journal articles you need, request the item via Illiad/Interlibrary Borrowing. We continue to fill digital articles as we are able.
• Requests for physical materials from Borrow Direct and Interlibrary Borrowing have been suspended until further notice.

Get materials for course reserves

• Significant changes have been made to the course reserves service to better support the largely online environment. Please visit our Fall 2020 Reserves guide for complete information.
• Textbooks are a source of particular frustration to students, faculty, and librarians in a remote teaching environment. Many textbook publishers do not make electronic copies of their textbooks available for libraries to purchase. See our FAQs on textbooks and remote learning to find out more.

Return physical materials

• Due to campus access restrictions, book return options are limited. Library materials may be returned at the book drop immediately outside the entrance to building 7 (77 Mass Ave. at the top of the stairs).
• Please do not leave oversized items that will not fit into the book drop.
• The book drop will be emptied daily by essential MIT staff who remain on campus.
• Returns will be quarantined for four days before being removed from your account.
• Overdue fines for books and other library materials have been suspended and will not be charged to you, including for materials on loan from other libraries.
• If you are located outside the Cambridge area or unable to travel to campus and have items you wish to return, they may be sent to the following address:
  • MIT Libraries Book Return
    MIT Libraries
    350 Brookline St.
    Cambridge, MA 02139
• For questions about your borrowed materials contact circulation@mit.edu.

If you have any other questions, please Ask Us.