Hayden Basement Stacks to Close June 4 – August 31

Collections remain available by request

By MIT Libraries on May 9, 2024 in Humanities

View of the information desk at Hayden Library, looking east.This summer, the MIT Libraries will be upgrading the compact shelving system in the basement stacks of Hayden Library to ensure the accessibility of our collections for years to come. For the safety of our users, the basement level of Hayden will be closed from June 4 through August 31. All collections remain available by request.

How do I request materials?
To find and request items, simply visit the Search Our Collections page. Make sure you are logged into Your Account to see requesting options. Requested items can be picked up at any library and are held for 10 days. Accommodations for students can be requested by contacting Student Support Services or the Office of Graduate Education.

How quickly will requested materials be available?
The majority of the collections (80% at any given time) will be retrievable on site and will be available for pickup usually within one business day. Office delivery service is also available for these materials for MIT faculty, academic/research staff, and postdocs.

Construction on the compact shelving will affect collections including P99 to QA272.5. The work will be completed in two parts; for the half currently under construction, requests will be fulfilled through interlibrary borrowing, which typically takes 5-7 days. Office delivery is unavailable for these materials.

What spaces in Hayden Library will be accessible during this time?
The basement level of Hayden will be closed to library users to ensure their safety and will not be accessible for browsing. The small East Study Room on the second floor also will be closed for library staff use during construction. All other study spaces and services (printing, computing, scanning) on floors 1, 1M, and 2 in Hayden will remain available 24/7 to the MIT community.

Why are the Libraries undertaking this project now?
MIT has a highly curated collection of print books that continue to be of importance to the community. We’re ensuring the long-term accessibility of these collections by upgrading the current compact shelving system. The work has been scheduled over the summer months to minimize the disruption for the MIT community.

Will any of the general collections be reduced over the course of this project?
No.

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