- Can I check out books from the University Library?
- Can I have books sent to my office?
- What is my library borrower ID?
- How do I renew items I have checked out?
- Where do I return materials?
- Can I go into the Main Stacks?
- What if I don't want to go into the Main Stacks?
- What does Oak Street Facility [request only] mean?
- How can I borrow books that UIUC does not own?
- What happens if I return a book late?
- How can I find magazine or journal articles?
- How can I find movies or videos?
- Does the library offer workshops?
- What is the proxy server?
- What if this FAQ doesn't answer my question?
Can I check out books from the University Library?
Yes. All University of Illinois staff may check out books for four weeks. Additionally, you may use periodicals in the library.
Can I have books sent to my office?
Yes. You can have books sent to your office by choosing the "Campus Mail" option when requesting the book. Read more about requesting books to be sent to your office .
What is my library borrower ID?
Your library borrower ID can be found on your i-card next to "Library #." If you have an older i-card, your library borrower ID may be the purple number located just above your barcode. Library borrower IDs are 14-digit numbers starting with 20111.
How do I renew items I have checked out?
To renew items you have checked out, you will need to log in to your library account.
- Go to the Library Gateway.
- Under Research Tools, click on "My Library Account."
- Type your library borrower ID and last name.
- Scroll down to the section labeled Items Checked Out and select the boxes next to the items you wish to renew.
- Click the Renew Selected Items button.
- Look at the status column for the item you renewed to see if it renewed and note the new due date.
You may also renew materials by calling the telephone center at 217-333-8400 or in person at any circulation desk.
Where do I return materials?
Borrowers may return University of Illinois or I-Share items to any public service point in the library or to the book drop on the southwest corner of the library regardless of where the item was originally checked out. Some items like DVDs need to be returned to the desk where they were checked out. You will be told at checkout if you cannot return the item to any service point. Return receipts for items you return are available upon request at any circulation desk. Interlibrary loan materials must be returned to the Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor of the Main Library. Library materials cannot be returned through campus mail.
Can I go into the Main Stacks?
Yes. University of Illinois staff have access to the Main Stacks. To enter the Main Stacks, show your i-card at the entrance on the 2nd floor of the Main Library.
What if I don't want to go into the Main Stacks?
Circulation staff will page items from the Main Stacks. Find the call number of the item you want in the Online Catalog, and give it to the circulation staff at the circulation desk on the 2nd floor of the Main Library. It usually takes 10-15 minutes for items to be paged from the Main Stacks.
What does Oak Street Facility [request only] mean?
The Oak Street Facility houses mostly lower use materials from the Library's collections in high-density shelving. If you see an item located in the Oak Street Facility, you will need to request it. Find out how to request items.
How can I borrow books that UIUC does not own?
University staff may borrow books through I-Share or Interlibrary Loan. Learn how to request items from other libraries.
What happens if I return a book late?
Read about overdue notices, overdue fines, billing, and other circulation policies.
How can I find magazine or journal articles?
Read instructions for finding a specific article or find out how to search for any articles on a specific topic.
How can I find movies or videos?
Learn how to find movies or videos.
Does the library offer workshops?
Yes, the library offers workshops on a variety of topics including how to use the library catalog and how to use RefWorks, a citation management program. Find more information about library workshops. To sign up for a workshop, visit the registration calendar.
What is the proxy server?
To access Online Research Resources like databases and electronic journals from off-campus, you must sign in using the proxy server. Logging in using your net ID and password identifies you as an University affiliate so you can access our subscriptions. Find answers to your questions about net ID and password or contact the CITES help desk by phone at 217-244-7000 or email at consult@uiuc.edu.
What if this FAQ doesn't answer my question?
Ask a Librarian in person, by phone, by email, by chat, or by instant messaging.
