Biology LibraryAbout Us Frequently Asked Questions |
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Basic Information | Finding Journals | Finding Journal Articles | Finding Books and Other Materials | Services | Course Reserves | Other
Basic Information About the University of Illinois Biology Library:
Services provided by the Biology Library:
Course reserves:for more information on services, see the Biology Library Services page.
Where is the Biology Library?
The University of Illinois Biology Library is at 101 Burrill Hall, 407 S. Goodwin in Urbana (see map).
When is the Biology Library open?
I'm new--what do I need to know?The Biology Library hours of operation are as follows (Note: 10 MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING circulation ends, and computer terminals and photocopiers are turned off.):
Summer II -- June 9, 2008 - August 2, 2008
Closed Friday, July 4th for Independence Day
Monday - Thursday
8:30am - 7:00pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 1:00pm - 5:00pm Sunday
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Fall Term 2008
Monday - Thursday
8:30am - 8:00pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 1:00pm - 5:00pm Sunday
1:00pm - 8:00pm
NOTE Hours for the Biology Library and all UIUC Libraries can be found at the Library Gateway Library Hours page.
The Biology Library Reference Desk is staffed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.
10 MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING circulation ends, and computer terminals and photocopiers are turned off.
We have online guides to the Biology Library for new undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty. These guides are also available in print at the Biology Library.
See our guide Locating Materials at the Biology Library for information about where to find materials in our collection. You should also familiarize yourself with the Biology Library's Policies
If you have a specific question about the Biology Library or the UIUC Library system, feel free to ask at the Reference Desk, or e-mail biolib@uiuc.edu.
What is CARLI?
The CARLI (Consortium of Academic & Research Libraries in Illinois) is a consortium of 65 Illinois libraries that share an online union catalog called I-Share. The mission of CARLI is to enhance and expand access to and effectively utilize information resources through collaborative partnerships among CARLI members and with the Illinois library community. CARLI membership includes the libraries of each state-supported university, 25 private colleges and universities, 4 community colleges, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, and the Illinois State Library. As a direct consequence of UIUC Library's participation in CARLI, you, as a UIUC library patron, have ready access to library holdings from around the state of Illinois. The I-Share catalog can be searched from within the Univesity Library Online Library Catalog by clicking I-Share on the catalog homepage or by clicking the I-Share Catalog button from the bar under the catalog header.
What other libraries on campus may have materials related to the life sciences?
The Biology Library is part of the Life Sciences Division Libraries (LSD). This includes five libraries, one center, and one virtual library. Materials related to areas in the life sciences can be found in all of these places. The Online Library Catalog has records for holdings for the LSD except the Library of the Health Science-Urbana (LHS). The LHS is a part of the University of Illinois at Chicago system which has its own online library catalog called UICCAT. Holdings for LHS can be found using UICCAT via the LHS homepage.
Applied Health Sciences Library
Biotechnology Information Center
Environmental Studies Virtual Library
Funk Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences Library
Illinois Natural History Survey Library
Library of the Health Sciences-Urbana
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What journals does the Biology Library have?
The Biology Library Print Journal List is a complete list of print journal subscriptions, and is available online. Paper copies are also available in the big black notebooks labeled Biology Library Serials List which are located at the Reference Desk, near the Circulation Desk, near the stacks entrance, and on the middle floor of the stacks Note: This list does not indicate which volumes of a journal we have - for information on specific journal volumes, use the Online Library Catalog (Quick Search) to do a Journal/Magazine title search. Periodical records indicate what volumes, issues, and location (departmental library or electronic) that is available.
The University Library subscribes to electronic journals, many of which have records in the Online Library Catalog that will link you to the electronic journal. These titles and others may also be accessed through the Library Online Research Resources (ORR) database. This database contains access to most electronic library resources, including electronic journals. Click on the Journals & Newspapers tab, enter title words, and click Search. When available, information about the journal title will include what vendor the subscription comes through, what volumes and issues are available, a link to more title details (publisher, coverage areas, and such), and a link to the corresponding Online Library Catalog record when available with information about print volumes and issues we subscribe to. Click the ORR Help tab for information about searching this database.
How do I find a journal on the UIUC campus?
To find out which library has the journal, use the Online Library Catalog. Click Quick Search. Enter the journal title, and click the Start of Magazine/Journal Title button (Omit beginning articles: A, An, The, Der, El, L', La, etc.). For tips on finding full journal titles from abbreviated titles, click here. If you need help with the Online Library Catalog, click on the Help button at the top right of the page, see the Online Catalog Searching Guides, or contact a Biology Library staff member. The default setting will retrieve records for any campus library. To find those titles just found in the Biology Library, use the Quick Limit under the search box.
If you want to know whether the Biology Library owns a specific journal, check the Biology Library Print Journal List (also available in print in several locations at the Biology Library). If you are looking for a medical journal, also check the Library of the Health Sciences-Urbana (LHS-U) Journal List (the LHS-U is located right next door to Burrill Hall, in the Medical Sciences Building). Their homepage and Electronic and Print journal lists are linked to from the Biology Library homepage. The LHS-U is a satellite of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and as such their library resources are use a separate UIC online catalog called UICCAT. For any items you identify from their online library catalog or journal lists, you will need to access from the LHS-U. See Finding Medical Books and Journals at UIUC.
If the journal you are looking for isn't on campus, click here for information about requesting journal articles through interlibrary loan.
Can I get the tables of contents of my favorite journals sent to me automatically? (Is there a current awareness service?)
See Sign Up for Table of Contents (TOC) Alerts From Journals Instructions Listed by Publisher or Alerting Service for instructions on getting email delivery of tables of contents from various publishers. Publishers of interest to life sciences researchers include Annual Reviews, BioOne, Blackwell / Synergy, Cambridge Journals, Elsevier / Academic Press / ScienceDirect, Highwire, Kluwer, NPG Nature Publishing Group, Project Muse, Springer, Web of Science, and Wiley
Major article databases such as Biological Abstracts, Current Contents, PubMed, and Science Citation Index provide current email alerts. Free registration for UIUC affiliates establishes an account to save search queries and create email alerts. See database Help for details.
How do I find out what journal issues have arrived today?
Every day, new journal issues are displayed on the display shelves on the middle floor of the Biology Library stacks. The Biology Library Daily Journal Lists are posted online, and also on the bulletin board in the Reading Room just inside the entrance to the Biology Library. If you wish to receive a daily e-mail of this list, please contact the Biology Library (biolib@uiuc.edu or 333-3654).
Unbound Journals can be checked out for 2 hours.. Fill out a pink card from the table in front of the circulation desk and give to the person at the Circulation Desk.
Bound journals can be checked out for 3 days.
Longer loans are available with PRIOR authorization of the Biology Library librarian.
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How do I find articles?
Articles are found by using tools known as indexes and abstracts (IAs). Electronic versions are accessed on our campus through the Library Gateway or departmental library Web sites via the Online Research Resources (ORR) database. They are generally referred to as article databases or bibliographic databases or index and abstract (IA) databases because they contain descriptive information about articles, and sometimes other types of materials depending on the database.
The content providers have people who comb journal titles and create records for the content. This can be records with basic citation details, or records with citation details as well as an abstract (article summary) and perhaps other descriptive information, such as taxonomic terms, concept codes, etc.
IA databases do not index content for particular institution subscriptions. They are used to identify articles, and are subscribed to by thousands of institutions around the world. Most IA databases are subscribed to and paid for by the University Library. They are available for use in campus libraries, and other campus IP addresses. Students, faculty, and staff can also access them on off-campus computers with their NetID and password.
Full text articles may be provided by the IA database, and / or through links to Library journal subscriptions. [ See Can I get the full text of journal articles from the web?]. If not, then a search for the article's journal title needs to be done in the Online Library Catalog (Quick Search) to ascertain whether it is available through the library. [ See How do I use the citations from article databases to find the articles in the library?]
There are many IA databases. Some are cover publications from multiple subject areas, some cover a selected number of areas that relate to one another, and some are focused on a narrow area. See next question for IA databases of interest to Life Sciences researchers. It is important to know get acquainted with what topic area an IA database covers to decide which one(s) will be appropriate for your information search.
It is also important to know that the publication years of titles that are covered are different from IA database to IA database, which can change at any time depending on updates by product producers, etc. If you are needing to find publications from a particular date range that is not covered by the IA database, there may be a print version that covers an earlier time period you are needing. If not, there may be another IA database or print version that will cover your area(s) of interest.
Information about what a database covers can be found in a number of ways:
- The ORR record provides basic description, with more details via "i" to the left of IA database title entry
- Departmental libraries provide guides to the main IA databases used by their patrons
- Many databases provide descriptions, but not all do
- The database producer also provides information about their products. Locate this information in the database and then 'Google' the producer and search their site.
- A librarian will be happy to assist you!
What article databases are available and how can I learn to use them?
The UIUC Library provides Web access to article databases for its patrons. Important biology databases include Biological Abstracts, Current Contents PubMed (MEDLINE), and Science Citation Index. Access these directly from the Biology Library Homepage (where it says Link directly to: ...). Many more databases can be accessed from the Online Research Resources (ORR) database accessed from the Library Gateway available from every departmental library's homepage. Available databases useful to biologists include the Zoological Record, AGRICOLA, CAB Abstracts, Wilson Biological and Agricultural Index, and more. A brief description of nearly two dozen IA databases can be found in the guide Electronic Resources in the Biology Library.
UIUC students, faculty, and staff can access most article databases from any computer terminal with Internet access; however, you may be required to log in with your campus NetID and password if you are using an off-campus terminal that is not connected to the network via a UI dial up connection.
For specific instructions on using some important article databases, see our series of Database Search Instructions. These are also available in print at the Biology Library. The Reference Librarian can assist you in using any of the databases 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday.
How do I use the citations from article databases to find the articles in the library?
When there are no links to full text articles, there may be a link directly to the Library Online Library Catalog from the database's article record. This will link to a record telling the journal title holdings and location when available so that you can go find the article in the print journal.
The Online Research Resources (ORR) is a database that provides access to most electronic information resources (e-journals, e-books, electronic indexes and abstracts) the Library has available. Many of the Library electronic journal subscriptions also have records in the Online Library Catalog, but not all.
ORR records display the 'holdings' (what volumes and/or issues) that are available for the electronic subscription(s), as well as the print subscriptions of that journal title with a link to its Online Catalog Record. This is a good place to check also, since not all electronic journal subscriptions we have may be in the Online Library Catalog or linked within the article databases. Click on the ORR Help tab or Using the Online Research Resources Page (ORR) for more information about the ORR and how to search it.
If there is no direct link in the article record in the database to the Library catalog record, you will need to go directly to the Online Library Catalog and click Quick Search. Enter the journal title, and click the Start of Magazine/Journal Title button.. Once you have found the catalog record for the journal, look for the volume you need in the holdings. If the journal volume you need is not available on campus, you can request the article via interlibrary loan. If you are unable to interpret a citation, ask at the Reference Desk for help.
Hints to help you find the Journal Title in citations from typical article databases are given below.
Web of Knowledge databases (Science Citation Index, Biological Abstracts): journal title, volume, issue and page numbers are in the Source field
Zoological Record (and other WebSpirs databases, including Agricola, CAB Abstracts): journal title, volume, issue and page numbers are in the Source field (abbreviated SO in the default display).
- Current Contents (and other Ovid databases, including Wilson Biological and Agricultural Index): In the Titles (default) display, the journal title is in italics, followed by volume, issue, page numbers, and publication date (all also in italics).
- PubMed (MEDLINE): In the Summary (default) display, journal titles are after the author and article title, on a separate line, followed by publication date, volume, issue, and page numbers.
Can I get the full text of journal articles directly from the Web?
Many article databases provide access to electronic full text articles from the indexing record. Also the library has subscriptions to thousands of electronic journals either individually or through various packages or article databases. For selected titles, the library Discover button links to Library electronic journal subscriptions.
The Online Research Resources (ORR) is a database that provides access to most electronic information resources (e-journals, e-books, electronic indexes and abstracts) the Library has available. Many of the Library electronic journal subscriptions also have records in the Online Library Catalog, but not all. ORR records display the 'holdings' (what volumes and/or issues) that are available for the electronic subscriptions(s), as well as the print subscriptions of that journal title with a link to its Online Catalog Record. You can browse journal issues of particular interest, or locate specific articles whenyou know the volume and issue that the article title is in. Click on the ORR Help tab or Using the Online Research Resources Page (ORR) for more information about the ORR and how to search it.
The Biology Library Electronic Journals page provides links to life sicences journals to which we have electronic subscriptions. You can browse the journal of your choice from this site. If you need assistance using this site or if any of the links do not work, please contact the Biology Library (4-3591 or biolib@uiuc.edu) or stop by the Reference Desk. Note: The Electronic Journals page lists only the biology journals to which we have electronic access -- it is not a list of all the journals available at the Biology Library, or other subject titles on campus!
What do I do if I have an obscure citation and can't find the article?
Ask a librarian! Visit or call (4-3591) the Reference Desk 8:30am-5:00pm Monday - Friday, or email the Biology Library at biolib@uiuc.edu. Please provide as much information as possible, and be sure to include your name and a way for us to reach you.
I have a citation with an abbreviated journal name - how can I find the full name of the journal?
For biomedical and some life sciences titles, try PubMed's Journal Browser (a searchable database), or browse titles in the List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus. There are print copies of the List of Journals Indexed in Index Medicus and BIOSIS Serial Sources at the Reference Desk.
Other options include:
- Acronyms and Initialisms for Health Information Resources
- BioABACUS
- Biological Journals and Abbreviations
- Biomedical Acronym/Definition Database
- Core Journals in CAPlus courtesy the American Chemical Society
- Frontiers in BioScience
- ISI Journal Abbreviations Index courtesy CalTech
- Journal Titles and Abbreviation
- Wiley InterScience Acronyms, Symbols, and Abbreviations
If you do not find your title, ask for help at the Reference Desk.
How can I obtain an article from a journal that is not available at UIUC?
You can request photocopies of articles from the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery (ILL/DD). Click on Login to My Account. Login with your campus NetID and password. Click Return.
The first time you do this, you will need to enter your campus address information , as well as your library borrower identification number (above the bar code on your I-card) into the ILLIAD Patron form. Thereafter it will be there automatically, needing editing to update. Click Submit.
Look over your borrower data details. If not correct, use the back button on your browser to go back and correct the information. If correct, Submit Information. Click the Request a Photocopy button.
Please note the Warning Concerning Copyright Restrictions on the request form. All fields marked with an asterix must be filled in, and as much of the others as you know. Click Submit Request.
Note that you do not need to know which library owns the journal. Most articles are sent as pdf files electronically to IRRC who then transfers the article to a web page and sends you an email notice with instructions to retrieve your document. When articles are shipped as print photocopies through the mail, they will be sent to the address indicated on the contact information section of the web order form. Articles take at least 7 days to arrive, so plan ahead! For more information, see Borrowing Office Policies and FAQs.
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To look for books by author, title, subject, or keyword use the Library Online Catalog. Select Quick Search. Enter the item title, and click the Start of Title button (Omit beginning articles: A, An, The, Der, El, L', La, etc.). For tips on finding full journal titles from abbreviated titles, click here. If you need help with the online catalog, click on the Help button at the top right of the page, or contact a Biology Library staff member.
The card catalog located on East Wall of the Reading Room may also be used for books published prior to 1978.
See also How Do I Find ..... Books?
Yes. To request a book from any UIUC library, first find the book in the Library Online Catalog. At the top of the record, click on the Request button. Enter your library borrower ID number (the 14-digit Library # above the bar code on your I-card) and your last name. Click Login. Fill in the provided online form. You may choose to pick up the book at a designated UIUC library or you can have the book sent to your campus office address. Feel free to ask for help at the Reference Desk.
If the book is not in the Library Online Catalog, try searching the CARLI I-Share online catalog -- the database for the CARLI libraries (See What is CARLI ?). While still in the Library Online Catalog, click on the I-Share Catalog at the top of the search page. [You may also get directly to I-Share Catalog via the Library Gateway and under Library Catalogs, select I-Share under Off Campus Catalogs.] The default is to search all I-Share libraries. To select a the particular library catalog location you wish to search, click I-Share Members, and the particular location's catalog you wish -- select I-Share for all locations' catalogs. Click Search. All CARLI libraries use the same type of Voyager Endeavor catalog system so search for the book title as you did in the UIUC Library Online Catalog. At the top of the record, click on the Request button. Select your Home ILCSO Library - Univ. of Illinois-UC. Enter your library borrower ID number (the 14-digit Library # above the bar code on your I-card) and your last name. Click Login. Fill in the provided online form. You may choose to pick up the book at a designated UIUC library. Faculty, staff, and graduate students with campus offices select UIUC campus Mail to have the book sent to your campus office address. Feel free to ask for help at the Reference Desk.
You can request a book through campus interlibrary loan (when you know that it is not available from any campus library) directly from the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery (ILL/DD). Click on Login to my Account. Log in with your campus NetID and password. Click Return. The first time you do this, you will need to enter your campus address information , as well as your library borrower identification number (above the bar code on your I-card) into the ILLIAD Patron form. Thereafter it will be there automatically, needing editing to update. Click Submit Form. Look over your borrower data details. If not correct, use the back button on your browser to go back and correct the information. Click the Request a Book button. Please note the that the book loan is returned to the owning institution, and that each has its own loan periods. All fields marked with an asterix must be filled in, and as much of the others as you know. Click Submit Request. Notification for the arrival of loans is done by email. You should read your email completely to determine if your material is being held at the Borrowing Office (104A Main Library) or at the Central Circulation Desk (2nd floor Main Library). If you do not use email, other arrangements will be made to let you know that your material has arrived and is ready for pick-up. For more information, see Borrowing Office Policies and FAQs.
How do I find out what new books have been acquired by the Biology Library?
Each week, new books obtained by the Biology Library are displayed on the new book shelf in the Reading Room. The Biology Library New Books List is posted monthly, both online and at the circulation desk.
Books may be checked out for 4 weeks by undergraduate students and non-library staff, and for 16 weeks by graduate students, library staff, academic professionals and faculty. Exceptions are books on Course Reserve, and some series titles (see the item Online Library Catalog record or librarian).
Note: Reference Books are generally library use only. Exceptions may be made M-F with Reference person's approval. No Reference person --- no checkout.
For more information on circulation, fines and other library policies, see the Biology Library's Policies.
Where can I read microfiche/microfilm media?
The designation
"Film"or"Fiche"above the call number indicates Microform format. Microforms are stored in a cabinet in the Reading Room near the reshelving area. Microforms may be checked out and have the same loan period as books. The Biology Library does not have Microform readers but the following campus libraries do:
Business and Economics Library
101 Main Library
Microfiche/microfilm reader/printer
Main Library Reference Room
200 Main Library
Microfiche reader/printer
Microfilm reader (no printer)
Newspaper Library
246 Main Library
Microfiche reader/printers
Microfilm reader/printers
Government Documents Library
200D Main Library
Microfiche reader/printers
Microfilm reader/printers
Music Library
2136 Music Building 1114 West
Nevada Street
Microfiche reader/printers
Microfilm reader/printers
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Can I get a tour of the library for myself or for the class I am teaching?
Yes! We are happy to provide tours of the library for you and/or your students, and to offer instruction in using our resources. Please contact the Biology Librarian, Diane Schmidt via e-mail (dcschmid@uiuc.edu) or phone (333-0281), to make arrangements for tours and instruction.
Also, we offer self-help materials to help you become familiar with our library. These materials are available online and in print in the Biology Library and include:
- Guides to the Biology Library for new Undergraduates, Graduate Students, and Faculty
- Subject Guides (guides to the literature in the Biology Library for various subject areas)
- Database Search Instructions for several article databases
Can I pay to have articles photocopied for me?
Biology Library
The Biology Library will photocopy articles from our own materials for a fee. The service is available to UIUC and UIC-Urbana Campus patrons who have access to an University of Illinois departmental or grant account. We cannot charge an individual directly. The charge for the service is 18¢ per page. Only written or e-mailed requests are accepted. The photocopy request form should be used for requests. This form may be sent to the Biology Library through campus mail, or through email to: biolib@uiuc.edu. We try to respond to requests within 48 hours (Mon - Fri) of receiving them. Articles are mailed to your campus address.
Other Library Life Sciences Division Libraries
The Veterinary Medicine Library also has a photocopy service, please consult their Information Services page for details.
The Library of the Health Sciences, in the Medical Sciences Building, provides a photocopy service called InfoQuic.
The Natural History Survey Library has a photocopy service as well. Please consult their INHS Photocopy Service Web page to learn more
Campus Library System
The UIUC DocExpress service is a campus Library fee-based service for photocopying materials for University faculty, students, and staff for materials held at the UIUC campus libraries. Fees are $3.00 per article for faculty members, or $5.00 per article for students and staff, which can be paid for through authorized departmental accounts, or VISA ® or Master Card ® credit cards.
To get started go to the Library Interlibrary Loan page and click on the UIUC DocExpress link under For UIUC Faculty, Students, and Staff. You will be asked to login with your NetID and password Before making a request, an account for payment will have to be created. The form will automatically display, if you do not have an account. Once the account is created, you may make the request by following the instructions provided.
A RUSH Service is also available for items at a charge of $15.00 per citation. This fee may be paid by VISA ®, Master Card ®, a personal check, or departmental account. RUSH material arrives within 72 hours unless there is difficulty in obtaining the item. If the borrowing office is unable to fill you request within the allotted time, you will not be charged the RUSH fee and every effort is made to continue to obtain the item. For any questions, please call or email Cherie` L. Weible, Asst. IRRC Librarian at (217) 244-9907 or cweible@uiuc.edu.
Coin / Value Card photocopiers There are two coin / Value Card operated machines at the south end of the Reading Room (by the Circulation Desk). Current prices are 15¢ per page (any size) for cash, and 9¢ per 8.5x11 (letter size) page or 10¢ per 8.5x14 (legal size) page if you use a value card.
Note: Value Cards can be purchased from the machine located between the two copiers near the Circulation Desk. Cards cost $1.00 and come with 50 cents worth of copying. The machine will also allow you to add value to your card by inserting $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills. You can also use your I-card in lieu of a Value Card at these machines. Receipts are now available only through Vending Services at 333 Union where you must bring the Value Card.
Auditron [departmental and grant account] photocopiers There are two Auditron photocopiers at the north end of the Reading Room (by the stacks entrance) which can be used to charge copies to University departmental and grant accounts. Current prices are 9¢ copy.
Note: Auditron cards can be obtained from 111 Library, or are available for checkout with picture ID at the Biology Library Circulation Desk. Account numbers are required for each transaction. Ask at the Circulation Desk for instructions on use or to request a departmental card.
You may also pay to have articles photocopied for you, if you have a departmental or grant account. See the Photocopy Service section for more information.
Where can I get color photocopies done?
None of the campus libraries have a color photocopier BUT the Undergraduate Library has a color scanner attached to a color printer. The scanner is in the public area and the printer is located in the staff service area. For more information ask at the Undergraduate Library reference desk, or call 333-8589.
How can departments obtain their own photocopy cards for departmental accounts?
IThe Library Business Office, 111 Library, authorizes copy cards purchased with Departmental Account numbers.
Information that will be needed at the time of purchase includes name of
responsible person, phone number, department, and account number to be charged.
Person picking up the card will be required to sign for receipt of the card.
No cards may be purchased with cash. Vending machines are available at various locations, including Undergrad Library and Main Library Circulation, for cash or I-card purchases.
The primary contact person is Carole Kopp (3-5481) and the backup is Tina Reinhart (3-5479).
How can I print from the Biology computers?
The LibPrint system is the UIUC Library's public-printing system for printing at Library public computers. It is managed by the Library Systems Office (LSO). In the Biology Library the public computers print to a laser printer located on the table north of the Reference Desk which is in the North side of the Reading Room. The cost is 10¢ per page. UIUC Students, faculty, or staff can charge print jobs to their university accounts. All users have the option to pay cash, but will have to pay and pick-up printouts at the Undergraduate Library's Circulation desk. Anyone may also set up a "prepaid accunt: which acts likes a debit card (see the prepaid account help page or, if you are in a hurry, you can sign up for a prepaid account right now. Contact the Library Systems Office at 244-4688 if you want to charge against a department Banner/FOAPL account on an ongoing basis. .Special notes:
Color copies The Biology Library does not have a color printer. Color printing is available at Undergraduate Library and Grainger Engineering Library -- you can have your color copies printed there from any Library unit. For more information or problems with printing, see the LSO LibPrint Help Page: Color Printing FAQ's.
Pdfs Pdfs sometimes may not print well or completely using regular print settings. Saving the pdf to the desktop and then printing typically works, as does changing the print settings to Print as Image. To do the latter go to File > Print > Advanced (bottom left) > select Print as Image.
LibPrint Instructions:
- Print in the normal Windows fashion.
A new internet browser window will appear. There are three ways to pay for printing:
NetID login for UIUC students and employees [ You can charge your university account only if you identify yourself with your Net ID. ]
OR
Pickup and pay at the Undergraduate Library Media and Reserve Center
OR
Prepaid Account [ See PrePaid Account Help ]
- A new Web page will appear showing you details of your job. Under "Currently processing print job" you will see the Job Name, Date, Job Status, Page Count, and Cost per Page. You will also see two items that lists options for you to select one. The first is Method of payment for which you can select either Bill Uof I account OR Pay cash at the Undergraduate Library (Note: Choose this option for credit card payments also.) You will also see Printer Location with Biology Library laser printer in the Reference workstation area being the default location but you may select another location.
- Select your printer and click on the Print button OR if you have decided not to print the page you can click on Delete. At the bottom of the page there is a "Recently printed / deleted jobs" where a history of recent LibPrint jobs is listed. If the file is large or complex, processing may take longer. The LibPrint screen If the LibPrint screen shows "verification pending," wait a few seconds, then try to refresh by pressing the keyboard "F5" key.
- When charging to your university account, your printout will appear shortly at the selected printer. When paying with cash or credit card, you will have to pay and pick-up your printouts at the Undergraduate Library's Circulation desk first and the operator will then release your job.
Note: If you are trying to print PowerPoint and types of files from course pages, etc., you must first first click on the LibPrint Identification button on the browser toolbar in the upper right corner. Then follow the LibPrint Instructions above. Library public computers have PowerPoint Viewer which will not let you print more than one slider per page using the "Layout" tab. You will need to use a computer with the full PowerPoint application installed to print page layouts with more than one slide. For campus computer lab information, check out Campus Information Technologies and Educational Services (CITES) Guide to Computer Facilities . For other application or miscellaneous problems, see LibPrint FAQ's .
Can FOAPAL (department/grant) accounts be charged for printing done at the reference computers
FOAPAL fund accounts (includes department and grant accounts) can be used by authorized patrons to pay for computer print jobs ( aka LibPrint) from public library computers. A UFAS public printing form needs to be filled out by a librarian and emailed ( libsys@uiuc.edu ), faxed ( 217-244-4358 ), or mailed through campus mail ( 314 Library, MC-522 ) to campus Library Systems. Once Library Systems has authorized the use of this account, enter the fund account number ( 1 - _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ ) when prompted. Note: Authorizations is for the current fiscal year only, and needs to be renewed annually by contacting the systems office at 217-244-4688. See also print instructions in previous FAQ question above for general printing instructions. If you require further assistance, please contact a librarian.
Where can I copy and scan a print document? Can I create a .pdf of it?
Scanning is available in the Library for public use at:
- Main Library Reference on 2nd floor.
- Undergraduate Library on upper level
- Grainger Engineering Library's scanner on the first floor
Scanning is also available for students at CITES Labs - The CITES locations at English Building, the Illini Union, and the CITES lab in Undergraduate Library have scanners.
One can save scanned documents as .pdfs at these locations but there is no editing or revision capability.
There is no change machine available in Burrill Hall. Change machines can be found at the Illini Union.
Note: The Library of the Health Sciences in the Medical Sciences Building (next door to Burrill on Matthews) no longer has change machines.
The Lost and Found for Burrill Hall is located at the Circulation Desk of the Biology Library. Please ask the staff member at the desk for assistance.
The telephones in the Biology Library are for staff use only. There is a pay phone located in the building entrance hallway closest to the library (just outside Room 124).
Do you have any office supplies such as white-out, calculators, envelopes or a paper-cutter I can use?
Unfortunately, the Biology Library does not have the funding or staff to supply patrons with these items.
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Where are the reserve materials in the Biology Library?
Electronic Reserves (Articles, book chapters, lecture notes, exams, reserves lists):
Articles, book chapters, lecture notes, exams, reserves lists, and other select photocopied items are processed as electronic reserves. To access electronic reserves, search the UIUC Online Library Catalog. Click on Course Reserves. Select course number or instructor name from appropriate drop box. Click on desired record from the list. Click E-Items link on the item record. Click link of desired title. Click View the Reserve Item. The .pdf version will open. Read the Copyright restrictions information. Direct link to Course Reserves page here. For complete instructions see tutorial. Books, booklets, and course packs are retrieved from the Reserves Area at the Biology Library (See Biology Library FAQ’s on Course Reserves) .
Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open .pdf files. All library computers have this loaded. To obtain free software for your personal computer, go to Adobe Reader at <http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html> to download.
E-reserves can be printed either inside or outside of the library. LibPrint is the Library’s public-printing system. If printed within the UIUC library system, black-and-white printouts are 10 cents a page. (See LibPrint FAQ's for information about color printing available at Undergraduate Library which you can print to from any Library unit.)
Students, faculty, or staff can charge printouts to their University Account. When paying cash, printouts will need to be picked up and payments may be made at the Undergraduate Library Circulation desk. For more information, see FAQ’s, “How can I print from the Biology Library’s computers?” <http://www.library.uiuc.edu/bix/faq.htm#serv3 >.
Print Reserves (Books, booklets, and course packs):
Books, booklets, and course packs placed in Course Reserves for the Schools of Integrative Biology (SIB) and Molecular & Cellular Biology (SMCB) and selected other courses are shelved behind the Circulation desk. Patrons may enter the Reserves area to get items for themselves. Materials must be checked out by the library staff at the turnstile. Leave backpacks, etc., outside the reserve area. Every borrower must show a valid I-card. Materials on temporary reserve are arranged alphabetically by courses. Items on permanent GENERAL reserve are arranged by call number. For security reasons, only 4 people are allowed in the reserves area at one time. Each person may check out only 4 items at one time.
Print items are checked out for two hours, or one hour before closing being due back within one hour of opening the next day. Exceptions are those titles that are labeled "Room Use Only" which cannot leave the library.
Note: Be sure to get these items returned on time. Fines for over due reserves mount quickly (see Fines).
Go to the UIUC Library Online Catalog, and click Course Reserves. Select either the appropriate Instructor or Course from the drop down menu(s). Then click Search to retrieve a list of reserved titles with course instructor's name for that course. Click on the title to see the title record for more details, including the location (Biology Reserves - Temporarily Shelved at Biology Reserves). Access electronic reserves directly via the link available from the UIUC Online Library Catalog record. If you need help with the UIUC Online Library Catalog, contact a Biology Library staff member.
You can also go to the reserves area in the Biology Library (next to the Circulation Desk) and look in the area or file drawer for your class.
To check out reserve items, go to the Reserves area next to the Circulation Desk. Please leave any bags or backpacks on the designated shelves located right outside of the Reserves area. Reserve items may be checked out for 2 hours only or overnight if checked out in the final hour before closing. No more than 4 items can be charged at a time, and no more than 4 persons are allowed in the reserves area at one time.
Yes, you must present your I-Card to the Circulation Desk staff when checking out reserve materials.
Reserve materials can be checked out for 2 hours only, with no renewals. Items checked out within one hour of closing may be kept overnight but must be returned during the first hour the library is open the next day.
Note: Be sure to get these items returned on time. Fines for over due reserves mount quickly (see Fines).
No, reserve materials cannot be renewed.
How do I arrange electronic and print reserves?
To place items on reserve for a class you are teaching, see How to Put Course Materials on Reserve.
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My external U3 Flash drive does not work on the public computers. Is there anything I can do?
Security settings for the public computers are set to prevent software installation. This includes the pre-loaded software on U3 smart drives. There are a few work-arounds that may resolve this issue. Find out more about these here.
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