What to look for
Online catalogs are databases that list the holdings of libraries. Search by author, title, keyword or subject to find out what books, journals and other materials are owned by a library.
- Barton, MIT's online catalog Lists books, journals, videos, music scores and other materials owned by all of the MIT Libraries.
- Boston Library Consortium (BLC) MIT is a member of the BLC. You can borrow materials from member libraries.
- WorldCat A database of books and other materials owned by libraries around the world. [MIT only]
- Library Catalogs Research Guide Provides links to several local and worldwide library catalogs.
- Citing sources Learn about tools to use to cite your sources properly.
Tutorials
- Video Tutorials: Deciphering Citations A 1-minute video on citation styles and various citation formats.
- LibX Toolbar: Searching for Books video Learn how to set your browser's toolbar to search Barton.
Why use books?
Using Barton video
To skip the video and read the text only, scroll down the page to the next box. Related videos:
- Using Barton: Advanced Search Mode
- Locating Materials in the MIT Libraries
- Renew Books and more with Your Account
- Request a Book that is Checked Out
- Find Items Your Professor Set Aside for a Specific Course
- LibX Toolbar: Searching for Books
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Search for books at MIT
There are several databases available for identifying books on your topic.
Start with books at MIT:
1. Search Barton, MIT's online catalog, the best source for finding books in any of the MIT Libraries. Think of it as a giant inventory system where you can find a book by author, title or subject, then identify its:
- precise location (library name)
- shelf position (call number)
- status (if it is on the shelf or checked out to someone else)
- complete citation (publication information)
2. Search MIT's WorldCat to identify books owned by the MIT Libraries as well as those in the Boston Library Consortium group of libraries. You can:
- search quickly and easily by author, title, keyword or subject
- limit results to holdings at MIT or BLC libraries
- create a profile to save and share results with others
3. Browse MIT Libraries' collection of e-books to see if the book you need is available online.
4. Research Guides on various subjects may lead you to books on your topic.
Try a search in the MIT Libraries catalog
Try a search in MIT's Worldcat (beta)
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Library Services
- Your Account An online self-service feature to manage your library account: monitor due dates, renew books, place holds, suggest purchases and more.
- Interlibrary Borrowing Request books not owned by MIT (for MIT research only).
- Circulation FAQ Provides answers to questions about borrowing books from the MIT Libraries.
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