The Basic Search in the library catalog allows you to search for items by keyword (the default option), title, author, subject, or ISBN/ISSN. To start searching:
1. Access the Library Gateway.
2. Click on the Catalogs tab under the Easy Search box.
3. Select U of I Catalog (the first entry).
4. Type your search into the box at the top of the screen.
To search the I-Share catalog, which contains collections of university libraries throughout the state of Illinois, click on the dropdown menu next to the search box and choose "All I-Share Libraries":
Narrow Your Results
Once you start your search, the library catalog gives you options to filter your results under "Narrow Your Search." You can narrow by format, location, topic, subject, language, era, and more. When you click on an option you are taken to a new results page.
By creating a VuFind Account, you will more easily be able to request items from different locations across campus, and be able to send them to any other location to pick them up. You can also keep track of due dates, and easily renew materials online.
For more information on vufind, take a look at the CARLI's Frequently Asked Questions about vufind.
*Please note that I-Share items are unavailable to some GASRL participants. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and staff are granted entrance to the Main Stacks upon presentation of a valid i-Card.
If you have stacks access:
If you don't have stacks access:
**Please keep in mind that 2020 ISRL participants will not be able to check out print books during the duration of their lab. Thank you.
The University of Illinois University Library has 13 million volumes and is constantly growing. Materials that have not circulated a certain number of times within a period of time, or are deemed too fragile for conditions within the Main Stacks, are sent to the Oak Street High Density Storage Facility. This warehouse contains about 3 million volumes of the collection, providing a climate controlled environment for library materials.
Depending on what visiting scholars are researching, they may have to request items from Oak Street. This is not a problem, and the wait time is comparable to that of requests traveling from other campus libraries. Users cannot visit the facility and browse the collection because items are sorted and shelved by size, not by call number or subject. Items can be delivered to any library location across campus. SRL visiting scholars might prefer to choose the IAS Circulation Desk or the Main Circulation Desk as pick up locations.
Here is how to Request items from Oak Street using the Classic Catalog**:
NOTE: When using the VuFind Catalog, you must have a User Account. Create a user account to make renewing and requesting materials easier while using the VuFind Catalog.
Locate the desired item in the Classic Catalog.
Click the "Request" link in the top right-hand corner of the page.
On the page that appears:
Select your "Home Library" if requesting a book not on the UIUC campus.
Enter the 14 digit library borrower ID from your I-Card
Enter your last name
On the next page:
"Choose a pick-up library" for delivery of your book
Reenter your library borrower ID
Enter the date the item is no longer needed, if applicable.
You will receive an e-mail indicating when and where the books are to be picked up
**Please inform a member of the GASRL staff at least 1.5 weeks prior to your arrival if would like an item from the Oak Street Facility