Libraries

The MIT Libraries are more than just a place for students to consume information—they are creative and participatory community spaces where students are invited to make connections between ideas, collections, and each other. This engagement can happen through hackathons and interactive exhibits, in the audio lab or the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Data Lab, in our all-campus reading program or in dozens of workshops and events held during Independent Activities Period (IAP) and throughout the year.

With access to the Libraries’ friendly staff and the best scholarly information available, MIT students never have to get stuck working on a problem alone. The Libraries can connect students to our millions of resources in print, millions more available in digital format, and materials available by request from libraries worldwide. Consulting a librarian is often the quickest route to help students find what they need, and we encourage all to Ask Us. We have experts in every subject, from aeronautics to urban studies, and specialists who provide our community assistance with research data management, supporting computational research across MIT, and much more. 

The Libraries are a portal to the knowledge produced at MIT and beyond. Distinctive Collections contains rare books like Newton’s Principia, MIT’s founding documents, the personal papers of noted faculty—including those of pioneering women at the Institute -- and more. Students can explore the digital repository DSpace@MIT to access decades of MIT faculty and researchers' theses and scholarly works.

The Libraries' five locations offer some of the campus’ most sought-after study spaces, offering extreme quiet, comfortable seating, and group study rooms. Barker, Dewey, Hayden, and Rotch all provide spaces that are accessible 24/7, and the Hayden Library also features a cafe, a teaching and event space, and an outdoor courtyard. Any student is welcome in any of our libraries, whether they are looking for expert help, to collaborate on a group project, or simply take a study break.