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Using the University of Illinois Library from a Distance
This chart outlines how to access all of the materials available through the library.
| I want to... | Check out a book from the University of Illinois Library | Check out a book from the I-Share Catalog | Download an Electronic Article | Get an Article that the Library Only Owns in Print | Order an Article from a Journal that the Library Does Not Have |
| Service | If you are taking part in Illinois Online programs or courses, the library will mail you the book. This is for both in and out of state users. | If you live in or near Illinois, you can check out and return books to any I-Share library. Per our I-Share agreement with CARLI, out-of-state learners may not request I-Share items. | Many articles are available from the library's databases. If you know the title of the journal that your article is in, use the journal search in the library catalog. | DocExpress will copy and email articles/chapters that are only available in print in the university library collection. | Interlibrary Loan will locate and email you articles/chapters unavailable from the university library collection. |
| Cost |
1. The library pays for shipping TO you. 2. You pay for the RETURN shipment. |
Free | Free | Free | Free |
| ID Needed | An activated i-card. Learn more about i-cards for distance learners on this page of this guide. Log into the catalog to request books with your NetID and password. | An activated i-card; log into the catalog to request books with your NetID and password. | NetID and password | NetID and password | NetID and password |