MIT Libraries can get you nearly anything you need. That won’t change, even if our subscriptions do. If we don’t already own or subscribe to an item, we can purchase or borrow it at no cost to you.

On this page – get help to find, request, and get the materials you need:

• Articles and book chapters
• Books, CDs, DVDs or other tangible materials
• Non-MIT libraries looking to borrow materials from MIT collections

Articles and book chapters

Search our collections

Use Search Our Collections to find materials the MIT Libraries’ own, subscribe to, or can purchase or borrow at no cost to you. Many of these services are restricted to current MIT students, faculty and staff and we encourage you to make sure you are logged in before you start. If you have difficulty, please Ask Us.

If this chart does not answer your questions, Ask Us.

Other ways to search and browse

• Search PubMed, Web of Science, or other databases and look for “Get this at MIT” or LibKey Nomad buttons (see above).
• Search Google Scholar: Set your Google Scholar preferences so that custom MIT Libraries links show up in your search results.
• Find legal, open versions of scholarly articles in open access repositories:
  • Search our Collections includes open access versions of articles.
  • Search an open access repository, such as DSpace@MIT or CORE.
  • Check out other ways to find open access content.
• Browse the table of contents of a specific journal: Use Browzine and search by journal title. This allows you to access or request articles with a single click.

Books, CDs, DVDs or other tangible materials

Search our Collections

• Go to the shelf yourself: Note the library location and the call number and go to that library during staffed hours.
• Request the item for pickup: Request the Item and select your desired pickup location. You will receive email when the book is ready at the library’s circulation desk for pickup during staffed hours.
• Coming soon: Request for pickup at a locker
• Faculty, researchers, and users who have requested a mobility accommodation may also:
  • Designate someone to check it out for you: Request a designated borrower, which enables another MIT community member to pick up items from the Libraries on your behalf during staffed hours.
  • Request office delivery: Eligible users will see an option for “MIT office address” to have the item sent to your office (the Libraries do not offer home delivery).

If we don’t own it, search MIT’s WorldCat

• When you find the item in WorldCat, click on “Request via MIT Libraries” or “Request from BorrowDirect” under “Access Options” in the upper right.
• We work with libraries around the world to obtain the items (books, microforms, CD’s and DVDs) you need. Because materials come from all over the world, sometimes patience and planning is required. More than half of requests arrive in under 15 business days.
• Note: MIT community members can also borrow materials in person from a variety of other institutions, including Harvard!

Non-MIT libraries looking to borrow materials from MIT collections

• Use our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service: See our Interlibrary Loan (ILL) guide.