Central Circulation and Bookstacks Department

University Library

Courtesy Borrowing Cards for Unaffiliated Users

• Types of courtesy cards and eligibility

• How to obtain a courtesy borrowing card

• Borrowing cards for UIUC guests and visiting scholars

• Courtesy card borrowing privileges and responsibilities

HOW TO OBTAIN A UIUC LIBRARY COURTESY BORROWING CARD

• Fill out a Courtesy Card Application in Room 203 Main Library (9:00 am - noon; 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Mon - Friday) or at the Bookstacks Main Circulation Desk anytime that Room 203 is closed. Both of these locations are on the second floor of the Main Library. You will need to present a photo identification and proof of your current address. The ONLY acceptable documents for these purposes are listed below.  Expired documents will NOT be accepted.

  Acceptable Photo Identification:

  • State of Illinois driver's license or identification card
    U.S. Military Identification Card
    Passport
    Out-of-state driver's license or identification card
    Student/staff identification card from another college or university

  Acceptable Current Address Verification:

  • Lease agreement
    Vehicle registration
    Utility bill in applicant's name from current or previous month only
    Credit card bill from current or previous month only
    

• Your courtesy borrowing card will be mailed to you in 7 - 10 days. You will not be able to borrow any materials until you have received your card in the mail.  If your courtesy card is returned to our office as undeliverable to the address you provided on your application, you will not be able to reapply.

BORROWING CARDS FOR UIUC GUESTS AND VISITING SCHOLARS

• UIUC guests and visiting scholars who have been issued a guest I-Card or a paper guest card by the University can use these cards to borrow UIUC library materials, access the Bookstacks, and receive most library services.  A borrower record will need to be entered into the Library's database the first time the guest presents their card for services. 

• UIUC guests and visiting scholars who have not been issued a guest I-Card or a paper guest card by the university can obtain a Courtesy Borrowing Card in Room 203 Main Library by presenting a photo ID, proof of current address, and a letter from their UIUC sponsoring academic department.  This letter should be on departmental letterhead, be signed by an authorized representative of the sponsoring department, and should state that 1) the named person is a guest of that department until a specified date; and 2) the sponsoring department will assume financial responsibility for any library materials checked out by card holder. 

COURTESY CARD BORROWING PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Courtesy cards are valid for one year. Expired and lost cards require a new application.  Valid photo ID and proof of current address are required to renew your card.

• Your library ID number is the 14 digit number printed below the barcode on your card. You will need this number to access the "My Account" function in the online catalog. Click here for information about accessing your library account via the online catalog.

• Courtesy cards may be used at any of the libraries in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Most UIUC courtesy cards cannot be used to borrow library materials from other libraries in our statewide library consortium and are not valid on-site in other libraries in the consortium.

• Courtesy card borrowers are not eligible for interlibrary loan services at the UIUC Library. Courtesy card borrowers are expected to use the interlibrary loan services of their local public libraries.

• Your courtesy card does not provide entrance to the Main Bookstacks.  Please inquire at the Main Circulation desk if you wish to have materials brought out to you from the Bookstacks collection.

• Please return or renew all materials on time. Courtesy card borrowers will receive a notice when an item they have checked out is recalled for another borrower. Materials recalled for another borrower must be returned by the recall due date on the notice, or overdue recall fines will begin accruing at $5.00/day up to a maximum of $25.00. Courtesy card patrons are responsible for all library materials charged to their IDs. Courtesy card borrowers will be charged a minimum of $125.00 for each non-returned item; a non-refundable "late return fine" of $10.00 may also apply. Click here for information about renewing materials.

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Last updated 03.30.06