Finding Items at Other Libraries

How do I find items at other libraries?

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While the University of Chicago Library has a very large collection, it may not have everything that you may need for your research. Should you locate an item not owned by the Library, you can request what you need from other libraries in the United States and Canada through the Library's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service. You can request a variety of materials through Interlibrary Loan, including books, chapters of books, journal articles, newspapers, theses or dissertations, videorecordings, etc. Interlibrary loan is free and there is no limit to the amount of materials you request. Most items are delivered directly to the University of Chicago Library and held for you at the circulation desk. Articles and book chapters may be sent to you directly via e-mail. Learn more about Interlibrary Loan.

Finding Items at Other Libraries

There are a couple of ways to locate items at other libraries for interlibrary loan.

1. WorldCat
   The WorldCat database lists the holdings of over 50,000 public, academic, and special libraries throughout the United States and abroad, WorldCat is a good database to use to identify resources, since it contains records for books, journals, recordings, maps, etc.When you locate an item, click on "Libraries Worldwide That Own Item" to see a list of libraries which hold a copy of the item (libraries in Illinois will be listed first).
   To place a request via interlibrary loan service, just click on in the record for the item. A window will appear offering the option to search for the item in the Library Catalog or place an interlibrary loan request. Select the appropriate ILL option and log into your account. Find It! will transfer all of the information about the item from WorldCat into the appropriate form. All you have to do is submit your request.
   
   
2. Searching Other Library Catalogs
   You can also search specific library catalogs directly by going to the Catalogs page on the Library's Web site. The Library links to catalogs from a variety of libraries around Chicago or the U.S. Some of these libraries (Northwestern, Center for Research Libraries, University of Illinois at Chicago) have some special borrowing agreements with the University of Chicago. To request a loan of the item, you either must use WorldCat or log in directly into your Interlibrary Loan Account and complete a form.

Visiting Other Libraries

There are several libraries (including Northwestern and the Chicago Theological Seminary) which have cooperative borrowing agreements with the University of Chicago Library. At these libraries, you can set up privileges to borrow books directly from them. Most other libraries will not allow you to check out books, but you may be able to visit and view the item. The University of Chicago community have building access to libraries that are a part of the Research Libraries Group (RLG) or CIC (Big 10 schools). Other libraries will require an InfoPass for access, which can be obtained at a Reference Desk at one of our campus libraries. If you need assistance in making these arrangements, please Ask a Librarian. In all cases, we strongly recommend reviewing the library's access policies on their web site or contacting the library directly before you visit.