Search for textbooks in the Library Catalog

Books & Media

Use the Books and Media tab on the library homepage to see if a book is available via the UIC Library Catalog or All I-Share Libraries. I-Share is a shared catalog that allows you to request books from over 90 academic libraries in Illinois. Only print books can be requested through I-Share and usually take 3-5 business days to arrive at the library. Some UIC Library books may be available in print and others as an e-book.

Please note that while we try to purchase course texts as e-books, many commercial textbook publishers do not allow libraries to purchase access that allows for multiple simultaneous users which is needed for full class access. Not all publishers will allow textbooks to be downloaded. Some publishers have limits on how much content can be downloaded or printed from e-books.

Course Reserves

Instructors may place required and/or recommended materials on reserve for class use. Physical items, such as books and DVD/BluRay/Audiovisual materials, can be checked out from the circulation desks for a shortened loan period. Reserve books are made available for the entire class to use, and so the time to use them may be limited to 2 or 4 hours, or 1, 3, or 7 days. Ask at the desk for the time the item needs to be returned.

Digitized items, such as scanned book chapters, journal articles, and streamed audio and video, can be accessed through Blackboard.

To see if your class has materials on reserve in the Daley Library, use the dropdown menu in the library search bar to choose Course Reserves and then search by course name, instructor name, or department. Students who use the Library of the Health Sciences in Chicago, Peoria, or Rockford will need to select UIC Catalog only in the library search bar to search for textbooks.

If you are an instructor interested in placing items on reserve, visit Course Reserves – Faculty for instructions and further information.

Interlibrary Loan

If we don’t have a book in our collection or it’s not available through I-Share, an Interlibrary Loan request can be placed for the item. Books requested through Interlibrary Loan can take up to two weeks to arrive. The length of the loan period will be set by the lending library, not by UIC Library, and often cannot be renewed which means Interlibrary Loan is not a dependable strategy for obtaining course textbooks.

Please note that many libraries do not loan textbooks, especially the most recent editions. Check with your instructor before relying on an earlier edition of an assigned textbook.

Purchase Requests

If after checking all other options you’d like to request a book be purchased for the collection, complete the Recommend an Item for the Library to Purchase form. Library faculty will weigh the cost, edition, format, publishing frequency, accessibility, and merit to the collection in their decision.

Faculty are encouraged to place requests for course related texts at least 3 weeks before the start of the semester. This will ensure there will be time to research, purchase, receive, catalog, and make available the item before classes begin. Reach out to the librarian for your subject area with questions.

Chicago

Daley Library

Textbooks for some general education classes (100-200 level) and test preparation materials may be available at the circulation desk.

Library of the Health Sciences – Chicago

Textbooks may be available on Reserve – ask for them at the 1st Floor Desk. Some are available on the library shelves. Others are available as e-books, either through databases (AccessMedicine or ClinicalKey), or the library catalog. Check your related library guide for details.

Peoria

Many of the current edition textbooks for the College of Medicine - Peoria and College of Nursing DNP curricula can be found on Reserve and Open Reserve. Previous editions of textbooks can be found in the stacks. Some textbooks may also be available as e-books, either through databases, such as AccessMedicine or ClinicalKey, or the library catalog.

Rockford

Textbooks may be available on the Open Reserve shelves or on the Reserve shelves behind the Circulation Desk. Some are available on the library shelves. Others are available as e-books, either through databases, such as AccessMedicine or ClinicalKey, or the library catalog.

UIC School of Law Library

Check the Law Library website for details.

Other Questions

For all other questions, please use the Contact Us page.