Circulation & Reserves FAQ 

Answers to common questions about:

• Your Account
• Borrowing + Requesting
• Returning + Fines
• Course Reserves

See also the guidelines for use of the MIT Libraries.

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The MIT Libraries are committed to making sure persons with disabilities have access to all of our resources. Please see our Services for Persons with Disabilities page for more information.

• How do I get a library card?
• How do I borrow library materials?
• I'm not from MIT.  Can I borrow MIT materials?
• How do I reach the service desk of each library?

How do I get a library card?

Any member of the MIT community may receive borrowing privileges by bringing a valid MIT ID to any MIT library service desk to be registered for privileges.

• Your MIT ID is your library card.
• Lincoln Lab employees must activate their MIT ID for library privileges at the Lincoln Security Office or at the MIT Card office before visiting a library.
• If you are not a member of the MIT community, see Services for Outside Users.

How do I borrow library materials?

Once you are registered, you may use your ID to check out library materials at any service desk. You must present a valid MIT ID when borrowing materials. You may also use the self check-out machines at the Barker, Hayden and Dewey Libraries.

I'm not from MIT. Can I borrow MIT materials?

That depends. Please see Services for Outside Users for more information.

How do I reach the service desk of each library?

See our Contact Us page for phone numbers.

• Using Barton, the MIT Libraries catalog (4:45)

• Using Barton, the MIT Libraries catalog: Part 2, the Advanced Search mode (2:41)

• Renew books and manage your borrowed materials with Your Account (2:19)

• Request a book that is checked out (1:16)

• Have a book delivered from the Library Storage Annex or other MIT Libraries (2:05)

• Find items your Professor set aside for a specific course (3:58)

• LibX Toolbar: Searching for books (3:45)

• Locating materials in the MIT Libraries (3:25)