FAQs | University of Illinois Springfield

How do I pay my library fines/fees?

Items that are returned will have all fees waived.

However, if you have been charged a replacement fee it will be posted to your student/university account. You cannot pay these fees in the library or with an I-card. These fees can be paid through your online account as you would normally pay for your tuition and fees. For more information about this, please contact the university bursar/Cashier's office.

For further assistance, please reference their guide to paying your University bill.

How can I get research help?

There are multiple ways to get research help from our librarians.

You can:

View the research guide of the discipline you want to learn more about! Research guides include a curated list of databases, journals, resources, books, and more in a topic of interest. They are a great place to start your research.
Book a research consultation with a librarian for one-on-one research help. Schedule an appointment through our Make an Appointment page. You can choose whether to receive assistance in person or online via Zoom.
Talk to us via the library chat! The UIS Library chat is a staff-run service where you can get answers to various types of questions, ranging from research help to browsing the library catalogue and much more.
Email us your questions at questions@uis.libanswers.com.

How can I get an i-card?

Degree-seeking students, active faculty and staff, and many retirees are eligible for i‑cards. You may get your i‑card whenever you need it but there's no requirement to have or carry one. If you use your i‑card, make sure that it indicates your current role (student, faculty/staff, and so on).

Two ways to get an I‑card

Eligible employees and students always have two ways to get an i‑card:

Full service at your ID Center. Bring a valid proof of identity and you'll get your photo taken and your i‑card printed while you wait. This process takes only a few minutes.
Online photo submission. Submit your photo online in advance. After your photo is approved, stop by your ID Center with a valid proof of identity to get your i‑card printed.

Not student, faculty, or staff? No worries, special borrower cards are also available. Scroll down until you get to Borrowing Privileges, and select either Alumni, Community, or Friends of Brookens.

Don't forget that all members of the community are welcome to access materials at Brookens Library and use the public computers. The only limitation is you can't check-out books without a special borrower card.

How can I contact the library?

How you can reach us:

The chat box (available on this page on the right hand side) for the quickest response
Brookens Library's main email at questions@uis.libanswers.com

Contact a Librarian via email
Contact the main desk at 217-206-6605 during our normal operating hours.

How can I check out a locker?

Faculty, emeritus faculty, students, staff, alumni, and friends are all able to check out lockers from the library. They are available for the duration of the semester.

Simply visit the library main desk (located on the 2nd floor of Brookens), and ask to check out a locker. After scanning your i-card or library card and filling out a brief form, you will be given a key and assigned a locker number. If you are unsure where the lockers are located, just ask our staff to show you!

The locker is then yours for the semester. Make sure to return the key at the end of this loan. Lost keys will result in a $25 replacement fee.

How can I apply for an Alumni or Lincoln Library Reciprocal Card?

Sangamon State/UIS alumni and Lincoln Library patrons are able to apply for a library card in order to check out UIS Library materials.

Please fill out a request for library card form and your request will be reviewed.

How can an alumni use library databases?

Alumni Borrowing Privileges

Off-campus access to online databases is available only to enrolled students, faculty and staff according to our licensing agreements, but anyone can access those databases by using the library computers on campus. To use our databases, they can ask for a login/password at the library desk on the main floor if using our computers, or if bringing their own laptop can access the databases using the wi-fi. Alums do not need to fill out a form unless they want borrowing privileges.

Learn about borrowing materials from the library.

Does the library proctor exams?

Brookens Library is not able to offer test proctoring services.

UIS students should contact Testing Services for test proctoring.

Additionally, Chatham Area Public library offers test proctoring for a charge.

Does the library have a fax machine?

There is no fax machine on campus available for student use.

Does the library charge fines/fees?

Brookens library does not charge overdue fines.

However, the library may charge a replacement fee for lost or damaged items.

More information on how to provide a replacement

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