FAQs | University of Illinois Springfield

Does the library buy books?

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

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:<.p>

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. (/library/giving-brookens/ways-give)

Does the CINRC offer one-on-one or consultation assistance?

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.

Do I have to be at the library to use online databases?

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.

Can someone else pick up my requested books if I give them my I-Card?

Usually, only the person who requested the materials can check them out. The main exception to this is proxy patrons. A proxy patron would have to fill out a request form and get prior approval. See our for more information.

Note: Only faculty and staff can designate proxy patrons.

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

Can Reference Books be Loaned Out?

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

Can Interlibrary Loan (ILL) requests be turned down?

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.

Can I return my Interlibrary Loan (ILL) book to another library?

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.

How can I keep track of what books I have checked out, when they are due, etc?

Every time you check out a book, you should receive an email from the library stating item titles and due dates. When these items are overdue or renewed, you will receive another email. Please make sure your library account is associated with an email address you often use. on how to see and edit your library account contact info.

How do I check my Library Account?

You can check your via
To see items you currently have checked out, click on the loans tab.
To see any requests/holds you have made, click the requests tab.
To see any fines/fees posted to your library account, click fines + fees.
Additionally, if you have checked out items from other I-share libraries you may see more than one library listed under "my institutions" [squared in green in the image below]. By clicking on each library name, you will see the items loaned/requested from that particular institution.

How do I view/edit my contact info?
After logging into select the personal details tab to view the address and email linked to your account.

To edit this information, simply click the edit details button and click save changes after typing in the new information.

How can I learn to write a grant proposal?

We occasionally offer workshops related to proposal writing. Any information on upcoming workshops can be found on the Additionally, we do many self-help publications on this topic. These can be checked out to patrons with an I-Card or a Special Borrowers card.

with which we are affiliated, offers online training in the form of webinars and classes. You can check their for current offers & fees In addition, they offer and other forms of self-paced training.

Alternatively, Lincoln Land Community College offers many short with a focus on the nonprofit sector, including grant writing courses.

How do I login to my library account?

Your Library Account is where you can view items you currently have checked out, renew items, and check the status of requests. Follow the steps below to access your account.

On the Brookens Library website, click My Accounts on the task bar on the top of the screen.
In the drop-down menu that appears, click on My Library Account.
On the new page that appears, you will login with your NetID and password. Alumni and other Special Borrowers will use their barcode and password.

Please contact the library if you need any assistance.

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