No, you don't need to be at the library to access our online databases. If you're trying to access our databases off campus you'll be prompted to sign in with your NetID and password.

Yes, the CINRC offers consultation assistance. We recommend an initial telephone or email consultation so we can determine your needs. At that point we can determine if an in person or Zoom consultation would be advised. Email us at cinrc@uis.edu or phone us at (217) 206-6783.

The library is always paying attention to recent publications - it's always good to check the Popular and New Book Shelves if you're looking for a book on a Best Seller list, or you can also always request a book from I-Share online at the library website.

The library also takes suggestions for what books to add to the collection.

Whilst we don't buy books from patrons, we gladly accept the following types of material donations:

• Books
• DVDs
• CDs
• Audio books
• Magazines

When donating to the Library it is important to remember that the library reserves the right to add the items to the collection, sell them in a library book sale, or dispose of them as necessary. Currently, we send unsold books to Better World Books, an organization that funds literacy in underdeveloped countries. (https://www.uis.edu/library/giving-brookens/ways-give)

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

• 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.

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.

No, reference books are non-circulating, meaning they cannot be loaned out.

Yes, an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request may be turned down for a number of reasons:

• A lending library cannot be found.
• The citation is incorrect.
• The item is owned by Brookens library.
• The book is available at an I-Share library.
• For any of these cases, the request will be cancelled and you will be notified via email.

Absolutely! You can attend your zoom class in the library in any of our study spaces that aren't designated quiet spaces. These include:

• The 2nd Floor
• All study rooms (located in the stairwell lounges of each floor -- great if you prefer more privacy for your class)
• Stairwell Lounges on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor

Alumni of UIS and Sangamon State University may borrow books from Brookens Library. All they need to do is apply for an alumni card online.

This applies to UIS owned books only; we cannot offer I-Share or Interlibrary Loan services.

Learn more about alumni borrowing privileges.

We gladly accept the following types of material donations:

• Books
• DVDs
• CDs
• Audio books
• Magazines

When donating to the Library it is important to remember that the library reserves the right to add the items to the collection, sell them in a library book sale, or dispose of them as necessary. Currently, we send unsold books to Better World Books, an organization that funds literacy in underdeveloped countries.

Click here for more ways to give to the Library.

Yes, and you can get help right away by following this link to UIS's Career Development Center Website. Here, you'll find lots of great tips and downloadable resume and CV templates, as well as links to additional resources.

You can also get in-person or zoom help with your resume or CV through the Career Suite. They have designated walk-in hours.

You can also chat with a career advisor using your Career Connect Account.

No. Textbooks are available at the UIS Bookstore, which is on the lower level of PAC.

Some required readings for courses are posted electronically on Canvas. Check with your professor to see if any materials are on reserve for your class.

You cannot lock the desktops without signing out.

You can stay logged in at your own risk, or you can log out and log back in.

If it does not give you an option to log out, you can hit Ctrl + Alt + Delete and sign out from there. If that does not work, you can shut down the computer.

Yes, you can address them to:

University of Illinois Springfield
Norris L. Brookens Library
Room 207 Circulation
1 University Plaza
Springfield, IL 62703

For further assistance, please contact the Main Desk at the library at 217-206-6605.

UIS students, faculty, and staff are able to request materials for pick up at other I-Share affiliated libraries.

In the Request from I-Share window for the book you want to request, you can select your preferred pickup institution in the drop down menu.

Absolutely! If you want to print but don't have an i-card to swipe at the printers, send your document to the printer as usual then come up to the front desk. Let the person at the front desk know what you named your print job and bring the appropriate cash. Printing costs are $0.10 per page for black and white and $0.25 per page for color printing.

We can make change. The worker at the front desk will provide you with a receipt.

No. The checkout period for all library patrons for DVDs is 7 days with no renewals. You can check out the same DVD multiple times however, if you see it on the shelf later.

Yes, you may return books to other I-Share libraries. Practices for dropping off materials will vary depending on the library. (This does not apply to ILL books, which must be returned to the same location they were picked up at.)

A list of I-Share libraries

No, Interlibrary Loan (ILL) books must be returned to the library they were checked out at. You can identify an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) book by the bright green strip attached to it.

For further assistance, please contact the Main Desk at the library at 217-206-6605 or ask us via email.