Using Other Libraries

When traveling, you may need to work at other libraries. The UIUC library has reciprocal on-site borrowing agreements with selected US libraries. When on-site borrowing is not an option, use of the collection on-site may be arranged. A little advance planning may open doors to collections.

I-SHARE LIBRARIES IN ILLINOIS

All UIUC faculty, students, and staff may borrow in-person from any of the 65 I-Share (formerly ILCSO) member libraries located at colleges and universities throughout Illinois. You only need present your valid I-Card at the library's circulation desk to borrow materials.

CIC (BIG 10) LIBRARIES, OCLC LIBRARIES & BEYOND

CIC (Big 10 + U. of Chicago) Libraries

UIUC Faculty and Academic Professionals are eligible to use the library facilities of other CIC Institutions.

CIC/Big Ten institutions (other than UIUC):

  • University of Chicago
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Indiana University
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Michigan
  • Michigan State University
  • University of Minnesota
  • Northwestern University
  • Ohio State University
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • Purdue University
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison

Faculty and academics intending to visit a participating library should contact the staff at the Central Circulation Office in the Main Library, who will issue a CIC Library card.

OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program

UIUC faculty and academic professionals are eligible to participate in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program. Check the list of participants in the OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program to see if the university you are interested in visiting is listed. Faculty and academics intending to visit a participating library should contact staff at the Central Circulation Office in the Main Library. Circulation staff will issue an OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program card. Note that access and privileges vary from institution to institution. The lending library determines whether the card will be accepted for on-site use and/or borrowing.

More Catalogs

Note: You can use these catalogs to identify holdings, but you cannot order items for use at a non-UIUC location.

Catalogs showing holdings in the U.S.

I-Share (formerly ILLINET)
Includes 65 academic libraries throughout Illinois (including UIUC)
Center for Research Libraries (CRL)
CRL is a consortium of North American universities, colleges and independent research libraries. The consortium acquires and preserves newspapers, journals, documents, archives and other traditional and digital resources for research and teaching. These resources are then made available to member institutions cooperatively, through interlibrary loan and electronic delivery.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with more than 130 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 29 million books and other printed materials, 2.7 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.8 million maps, and 58 million manuscripts.
National Agricutural Library (AGRICOLA)
A bibliographic database of citations to the agricultural literature created by the National Agricultural Library (NAL) and its cooperators. It contains citations to books, audiovisual materials, serial publications, as well as citations, many with abstracts, to journal articles, book chapters, reports, and reprints.
National Library of Medicine (NLM LocatorPlus)
NLM bibliographic records for serials, monographs, audiovisuals, computer software, electronic resources and other materials are available online via World Wide Web access to NLM LocatorPlus.

Catalogs showing holdings worldwide (may include U.S.)

WorldCat
WorldCat is the combined union catalog of more than 9000 OCLC member libraries worldwide, with over 61 million records representing materials in all formats. Includes records for materials in 400 languages.
Libraries on the Web
Connect directly to 1000s of library websites in over 100 countries.

TIPS FOR USING OTHER LIBRARIES

General Guidelines

Plan ahead! Try to obtain as much logistical information about the library you want to use in advance:

  • Find out about obtaining visitor privileges and whether there are requirements you must meet or fees you must pay. Perhaps a letter of introduction will help.
  • Explore networking before leaving and make contact with one or two people in advance in order to determine any policy restrictions, such as limits on daily visitors, or temporary limitations that may hamper research, such as building renovations.
  • Ask about the availability and cost of photocopying and acceptable forms of payment--cash might not be accepted!
  • Find out about restrictions on what may be brought into a library or reading room; perhaps laptops are not permitted.
  • Determine library hours and the times that visitors are allowed access.
  • Do as much research as possible to locate information about needed materials in advance (search online catalog of the library you want to use or in the UIUC libraries).

Letters of Introduction

It is a good idea to obtain a letter of introduction if one particular library's collection must be visited and the UIUC library does not have a reciprocal agreement in place with that library. Inquire at the Information Desk at the Main Library on the advisability of a letter. If you are not on campus, email us at reflib@uiuc.edu or chat with us.

Tips on Choosing Local Libraries in the U.S.

Private colleges and universities are generally more restrictive when it comes to allowing visitors to borrow or use collections onsite. Start with the closest public state university or college and inquire there about privileges. Often, these libraries will allow the local community borrowing privileges, though the length of stay of a visiting scholar might become a factor. Reference staff can assist in locating the names and addresses of libraries in the area(s) visited.