If you have a specific citation to an article, it may be available through one of the following:

1. Journal title search in the library catalog
2. DocExpress
3. Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Step 1: Check for online availability of the journal/article

Search the catalog for the journal title linked in #1 above and search for the title or ISSN of the journal. Alternatively, search for the article title/DOI via Easy Search (search box on library's home page). 

Need some more help with finding articles? Check out our A-Z and Databases by Subject web page or refer to our online guide How to Find Articles.

Step 2: DocExpress

If an article/book chapter is not available in an electronic journal but the library owns a print copy, you may use DocExpress to order a scanned copy of the article to be sent to you. To do so:

Verify that the library owns the journal in print by following these steps:

1. Visit the Library website and click on U of I collection under the large 'I'.
2. In the search field, enter the title of the journal (e.g., "Africa education review").
3. View the catalog record for the journal title and verify that the library owns the volume and issue that you need.
4. Note the call number and location (e.g., "Main Stacks" or "Engineering") of the item.

Then, place a DocExpress request for the article.

1. Visit Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery.
2. Scroll to DocExpress and click "Login to ILLiad to Request Item".
3. Enter your NetID and password to log in to your ILLiad account (if you have a NetID, the system automatically generates an ILLiad account for you).
4. With the required information (author, title, date, volume, etc.), fill in the DocExpress Request form to request the article, including the call number and location of the item.
5. In the Notes field, enter "Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning" and identify the course for which you are requesting the material (e.g., LIS 458).
6. Select the button that says, "Submit Request."
7. Your request will be processed and you will receive a scanned copy of the article or book chapter you have requested. Although you may receive your article more quickly, please allow 5-7 days to process your request.

Note:  This service is free for faculty, students, and staff.

Step 3: Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

Use ILL if you determine that the article/book chapter you are looking for is not available electronically or in print from the University of Illinois Library. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Visit Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery
2. Click on "Login to ILLiad to Request Item"
3. Enter your NetID and password to log in to your ILLiad account.
4. Select the appropriate option under the heading "New Request" depending on what material you are requesting. NOTE: select "photocopy" to receive journal articles.
5. Fill in the form with the required information (author, title, date, volume, etc.) and be as detailed as possible. Submit your request.
6. Although you may receive your article more quickly, please allow 5-7 days to process your request.
7. You should receive an email from Interlibrary Loan when your article is available for download (usually as a pdf file). You may view the article with your preferred PDF reader, e.g., Adobe Reader.
8. You will have 21 days to download your request from your ILLiad account - after that, access to the article/book chapter will be deleted.

If you have any questions about Interlibrary Loan requests, please contact 217-333-0832 or borrowing@library.illinois.edu. If you have any questions about DocExpress requests, please contact 217-333-1958.