MIT Libraries logo MIT Libraries

MIT logo Search Contact
Research support

Get materials via the MIT Libraries

MIT Libraries can get you virtually anything you need. If we don’t already own or subscribe to it, we have library-sharing networks and article delivery services that usually deliver with these turnaround times:

  • Electronic items: under 1 minute to 4 days, depending on the item
  • Physical materials: 3-10 days, specialized requests can be longer

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

Articles and book chapters

Search the MIT Libraries’ catalog, Search our Collections

Search by article, book chapter, or DOI in the MIT Libraries’ catalog, Search Our Collections. If you don’t see what you are searching for, try searching for the journal name or book title instead. Ask Us for help if you don’t find what you are looking for.

Once you find the record, you’ll see some options:

  • Any of these, “Available Online,” “Get PDF,” and “Read Online” will take you to the full text of the item.
  • If you see “Request pdf,” “Check for online services” or “check for available services,” click into the record and if asked, log in with your Kerberos account to see a link to request the item. You will receive an email when the item is available.
  • If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can request it from another library via Interlibrary Borrowing (ILB)/ILLiad
  • Requesting and Interlibrary Borrowing (ILB) is restricted to MIT students, faculty and staff. If you have questions, Ask Us.
  • Learn more about using ILB.

Search PubMed, Web of Science, other databases, or Google Scholar

  • Search a library database such as PubMed or Web of Science and look for the Get this at MIT link (shown here).Get this @ MIT button logo
  • Download LibKey Nomad, a browser extension that provides full-text links to library-licensed articles, book chapters, and open access articles as you browse publisher and other sites online. You will see a black box in the lower corner of your browser screen with access options.
  • Set your Google Scholar preferences so that custom MIT Libraries links show up in your search results.

Search open access repositories

Ways to find legal, open versions of scholarly articles:

Books, CDs, DVDs or other tangible materials

Search the MIT Libraries’ catalog search, Search our Collections

Search by title, author, standard number or keywords.

On the item record, available items will display the library and collection they are in, with call number and availability.

  • To consult the item or get it yourself to check out, note the call number and go to that location.
  • You can also request the item be paged for you to pick up from the service desk of your choice. Simply sign in with your Kerberos, click on Request Item and then select the pick up location desired. Note:
    • Faculty and Lecturers are eligible to request a designated borrower, who may check out materials reserved for the faculty/lecturer. Exceptions may be made for Deans, directors of programs, and students or staff with a disability or injury.
    • Office delivery is available to eligible users (faculty, researchers and users who have requested a mobility accommodation) – look for the “MIT office address” option (the Libraries do not offer home delivery).
    • Coming soon: lockers

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

WorldCat will list “Access Options” – see the usual turnaround times for each:

  • Available at MIT
    • Pick up yourself: library hours
    • Paged to the library location of your choice: 1 day
    • Office delivery: 3-7 days
  • Request from BorrowDirect: 4-10 days
  • Request from Libraries Worldwide: 5-12 days

Note: MIT community members can also borrow from other institutions in person.

Non-MIT libraries looking to borrow materials from MIT collections