Library Resources for Student Teachers
Library Catalog | Online Journals & Database | Online Reference Collection| I-Share Libraries | Other Illinois Libraries
Library Catalog
The Library Catalog can be searched for books, journals, newspapers, and other materials held in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign libraries. If you are not able to get to the library, you can request that materials be sent to your nearest I-Share library for pickup.
The Curriculum Collection in SSHEL includes print resources that may be useful while student teaching, including curriculum guides, school textbooks, and kits.
If you wish to limit your online catalog search to children’s and young adult literature, you can do so using the Advanced Search. In the first drop-down list, select Subject, and enter juvenile in the search box. Use the second drop-down list to select the additional field you are interested in searching (Keyword, Title, Author, or Subject). Then, in the second search box, enter a subject, keyword, author name, or other search criteria. You can also display the newest items first by choosing the Sort option on the drop down menu once you get search results. For instance, to find children’s books about whales, the search screen would look like this:
Find Online Journals & Databases
Journal & Article Locator will help determine if a specific journal or article is available online. Enter the journal title in the top search box to locate journals. To find articles, also add the first few words of an article title to the Article Title Words search box. Then click on the “Look for journal…” bar near the bottom of the form.
Online Reference Material
The Online Reference Collection is a well-organized compilation of informational sites selected and annotated by the library. Many resources on these pages are available only to authenticated University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign affiliates –for more information on authenticated access, see the Student Teacher Resources FAQ.
I-Share Libraries
If you are a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign student, you may check out books in person using your I-Card at any of the 90 I-Share member libraries. I-Share members include all state-supported university libraries and over 30 private colleges (complete list of I-Share libraries). You can search the combined holdings of all the I-Share libraries using the I-Share Catalog, or you can limit your search to a particular library by selecting it from the dropdown list.
Note: You can request that any item be sent for pickup to any I-Share library through the online request feature. First, locate the item in the I-Share Catalog and verify it is available at one of the I-Share libraries. If it is, sign in to your library account, then click on “Request from I-Share libraries.” Fill out the form with your “Preferred Pickup Institution” and “Preferred Pickup Location” (for example, you may choose “University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign” and “Main Stacks”). I-Share requests usually take about 4-5 working days to fulfill, and you will receive an email when the item is available for pickup.
Other Illinois Libraries
For student teachers in the Champaign and Urbana region, you can find materials (e.g., children’s books, DVDs, and audiobooks) in the local public libraries. You must have a library card from a library which is a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System to check out items.
- Champaign and Urbana Public Libraries Catalog
- Illinois Heartland Library System Catalog (Input the zip code for the regional library catalog you wish to search)
Student teachers may also find the Regional Offices of Education useful in providing resources and services. The Rantoul Regional Office of Education serves educators in Ford, Champaign, and Vermillion counties. Detailed information about services can be found on their Web page.
For student teachers living in other areas, your local public or community college library may provide borrowing privileges for material of interest.