Online & Distance Learners

This page provides information on setting up your library account to access the full range of collections, services, and support. All students must have an active NetID and password as well as an i-Card in order to access and borrow from the Library collections.

You can access your virtual i-Card at this web address. Your "card" lists your student affiliation and library information. (UIUC no longer offers physical, off-campus ID cards.)

As a student in an online class, you can use your i-Card to access the full range of library resources and services available to you, including borrowing books (yes, online students can borrow physical books!). An active i-Card is required to borrow material from the University Library and statewide I-Share member libraries and access other Distance Library Services. If you need to borrow physical materials, please contact the Library's Central Access Services [all contact information available on this web page]) to activate your account.

Your NetID is a name assigned to you that is unique across all University of Illinois campuses. It serves as your login to many University computing and networking services, including your Library account. You must log in with your NetID and password to access many library resources, including electronic articles and books, interlibrary loan and document delivery services, and more. 

For more information about your NetID, your password, and other networking accounts, please contact Technology Services.

Many Library resources are accessible from off-campus with only your NetID and password. However, sometimes users encounter issues that require connecting to a proxy server, setting up a VPN, or other troubleshooting strategies. For complete information and instructions, please consult Library Technology's webpage on Connecting to Library Resources from Off-Campus.