Collection Development Statements and Descriptions
Getting Started
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Online Reference Collection
- Reference resources are great for finding basic information on common research topics. Try one of our many online reference guides (including biographies, book reviews, dictionaries, & encyclopedias).
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Databases (A-Z List)
- Find the right database for your needs. Searchable by name, subject area, type, or vendor.
Catalogs
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Easy Search
- Search across multiple sources to find books, ebooks, media, articles, journals, databases, etc. Easily select your subject area for more targeted results.
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Library Catalog
- Find books, ebooks, journals, and media. Does not search articles or databases. See also: Tips for Using the Library Catalog.
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I-Share Catalog
- Find and request items owned by us plus 85 other libraries in Illinois. See also: Request a book not at Illinois guide.
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WorldCat
- Find materials at other libraries across the world.
Articles & Journals
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Article Locator
- Use when you know the specific article you’re looking for and have the journal name, article name, and/or author name. See also: Journal & Article Locator guide.
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Online Journals
- Find online journals by journal title, subject, vendor, or ISSN.
Special Collections
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Archives Holdings Database
- Search for primary source documents, images, and electronic records documenting University history, student life and culture, and American music.
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Illinois History & Lincoln Collections Database
- Search for primary source materials including letters, diaries, and personal and organizational records documenting Illinois history from the 1700s to the present, the Civil War, and Lincoln’s ongoing legacy.
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Rare Books and Manuscript Collections
- Access to over 500,000 items in The Rare Book & Manuscript Library with customizable searches by century and format, and searchable finding aids for literary archives.
Specialized Search Tools
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Digital Library Collections
- Collections of digitized materials from our vast collections and archives – books, images, maps, and more.
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HathiTrust Digital Library
- Full-text search of millions of books and journals digitized from our library and libraries world-wide.
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Illinois Experts
- Find U of I research, view scholarly works, and discover new collaborators.
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IDEALS
- Repository for research and scholarship generated by U of I faculty, staff, and students.