Research Help at Galvin Library Library Home

Library FAQ

A list of frequently asked questions about library policies, procedures, resources, and facilities.

See our ever-expanding Quick Tips and Tutorials page for answers to these questions and more.

How do I?

 

Find my Library ID number?

Your library ID number is the number on the front of your IIT ID card.

Renew my books?

You will first need to create an account. After you log into your account, click the "Checked Out Items" link. You will see a list of items currently charged to your account. Click on the check box next to the book you want to renew, then click on "Renew Selected Items" at the bottom of the page. Your new due date will appear.

Sometimes a book cannot be renewed. If the due date doesn't change then you must return the book by that date. For questions about your account or your account status, please call the Circulation Desk at 312.567.3620.

Find a textbook?

If the library has a copy of your textbook, it has been placed on Reserve for you to use in the library. This means that you may check it out for two hours and use it within Galvin to read, make copies, or scan pages. Reserve materials cannot be taken outside of the building.

To find textbooks in the library, click on Course Reserves under the My Library links. More detailed instructions can be found here.

Click here to read the library's textbook policy. It is the expectation of the university and the individual academic departments that assigned textbooks will be purchased by students for use in their classes. Textbooks may be purchased from the IIT Bookstore.

Find sources for my assignment?

The library's subject guides can direct you to the best research resources for your topic.

If you need to find books for an assignment, start your search with the IIT Library Catalog. (Click here for a tutorial/guide).

If you need articles, newspapers, conference reports, company profiles, or other non-book sources, use a database.

  • For information on how to select and search databases, click here.
  • For information on finding scholarly articles for your sources, click here.
  • If you already know the specific article you need, click here.

It is strongly recommended that you speak to a librarian to learn the best ways to find sources for your assignment. Go to the Ask a Librarian page for research assistance or to find the librarian who specializes in your subject.

Get research help?

The most effective way to learn to research is to make an appointment with a librarian at the Galvin Library. There is a librarian who specializes in every major on campus. Click here for a list of librarians and their subjects. Contact the librarian that works with your subject to get customized research help designed to match your needs. If you have a general question, go to the Ask a Librarian page to contact a librarian via email, phone, or IM.

Get to the library?

You can find directions to the library via car, CTA, Metra, Pace or IIT Shuttle Bus here.

The library is open to the public until 6 pm. Students from I-Share libraries will be admitted until 9:00pm. All access is restriced to IIT students, faculty and staff after 9:00pm.You will need to show your ID upon entering the building after 6 pm. Click here to read our access policy.

Get library privileges?

Library privileges may include access to interlibrary loan services, remote borrowing from I-Share libraries, borrowing books from IIT Libraries' collections, and remote access to electronic resources. Your exact level of privileges depends upon your status within the IIT community. Click here to get an overview of library privileges for your patron group.

Questions regarding library privileges should be directed to Tom Gleason, Circulation Manager, (gleason@iit.edu) or Pattie Piotrowski, Assistant Dean for Public Services (piotrowski@iit.edu).

Use library resources from home?

Most of the library's online resources are available from off-campus. In order to use licensed journals, e-reserves, and databases from non-IIT locations, patrons must first log in to EZproxy, the library's authentication system. You will automatically be prompted to log in when you click on a restricted resource. Students are required to authenticate by entering their Library ID number. Faculty and staff must enter their MyIIT username and password.

You can also access the library's resources remotely by logging into the MyIIT portal and selecting the Library E-Resources button at the top of the portal main page. Click here for more information.

Use MyILL?

MyILL is a service the Galvin Library provides to the IIT community to manage requests for articles, books, and other resources not available in IIT Libraries or I-Share libraries. MyILL is a free service, but you must create a personal account. Click here for more information on creating your MyILL account.

You will find links to MyILL when you search for a book or video in WorldCat. Use that link to request the book from another library if it is unavailable in IIT Libraries or I-Share Libraries. You will also find links to MyILL when your article search results include an article that is not part of the Galvin Library's electronic or print journal collections. Once your request has been filled, you will be notified by email to log into your MyILL account and download the article or to pick up the item at the Circulation Desk on the Lower Level of the Galvin Library.

Apply for a job in the library?

If you would like to work in the library, please fill out the application form here. You will be contacted if your qualifications, schedule, and skills match the job openings in the library. Preference is given to students with a work study allotment. The library has openings throughout the year, but the beginning of the fall and spring semesters is when the bulk of the hiring is done.

Suggest a resource for the library?

If you would like to suggest a resource for the library, please use the Recommend a Resource form. You may also contact the librarian in the appropriate subject area directly. Click here for a complete list of librarians and their subject areas.

Get a tour of the library?

Any staff member can provide an individual with a tour of Galvin Library. For group or class tours, you may arrange a date and time by emailing reference@iit.edu.

Tours of the building are only the beginning of what the library has to offer. If you are thinking of bringing a class to the library for a tour, we highly recommend that you also schedule a library instruction session for your class. These sessions are customized to meet the needs of the students and your course content providing invaluable library training for attendees. (More information on scheduling library classes and workshops).