Use this page to learn about different ways you can search the MIT Libraries’ offerings.
Use the Default Quick Search
Our Quick Search is the default search on the Libraries’ homepage. This collects results from different library search tools and sorts the results into 4 categories:
- Books and media
- Articles and book chapters
- Archives and manuscript collections
- Our library website and guides
The tool will search the 4 categories and present the top results from each category. It is useful to see the full breadth of what MIT Libraries has on a particular topic or author.
Go straight to our catalog
Our catalog allows you to search through our books, physical media, and online materials we subscribe to. This includes journal articles, ebooks, videos, and more. It does not search the library website or our archival collections.
- Shortcut URL: https://libraries.mit.edu/search-collections/
- Main navigation under “Search” – see “Search Our Collections”
Use search tools for a targeted search
- Click on “Advanced search” under the search box
- Or switch to the “Books and media” or “Articles and chapters” tabs.
Learn more about the different categories below.
Books and media
The “Books and media” tab searches our catalog for books, ebooks, databases, music, and videos. You can find materials not at MIT by selecting the “libraries worldwide” option and going to the item page to request it.
Articles and chapters
The “Articles and chapters” tab searches articles, book chapters, and more from scholarly journals, newspapers, etc.
More…
This tab also has links to other commonly used search tools. The “More” tab also provides a search box for the Libraries’ website. Search here for library staff, services, research guides, etc.
Search for specific materials
- A-Z Databases: A filterable and searchable list of online resources, including databases, journals, and ebook platforms.
- Archnet: Resources on architecture, urbanism, environmental & landscape design, visual culture, and conservation issues related to the Muslim world.
- ArchivesSpace: Archives and manuscript collections in Distinctive Collections.
- Dome: Search for images, maps, and other documents from the MIT Libraries’ digitized collections.
- DSpace@MIT: MIT theses, papers, articles, technical reports, and other research materials in MIT’s institutional repository.
- GeoData: Find GIS/spatial data available at MIT.
- MIT Libraries Dataverse: A repository of datasets for use in academic research by the MIT community. For access details, see terms of use for each dataset.
- Subject guides + experts: Subject guides can help you figure out which databases to use to find specialized information for your subject. Or ask one of our librarians with subject expertise for help.