- What is I-Share?
- What's included in I-Share?
- Who can use I-Share, and how do they connect?
- Help resources for I-Share
I-Share is a computer-based library system that provides statewide access to a wealth of information services and resources, including an extensive public access catalog, interlibrary loan, and resource sharing services to the CARLI I-Share libraries. While each I-Share library has its own local catalogs that are individually named, the I-Share catalog, as a union list, provides interlibrary services to the entire Illinois library community.
The I-Share database contains nearly nine million unique bibliographic records and more than thirty million item records, representing the cataloging of the 65 CARLI I-Share member institutions.
Who can use I-Share, and how do they connect?
Anyone in the world may search I-Share. Users with a borrower ID from one of the I-Share libraries may use I-Share to place requests for materials. ILLINET libraries (affiliates of Illinois regional library systems) and the regional library system headquarters may also use I-Share to place requests for materials. If you are not affiliated with an I-Share library, contact your local public library to request materials found in I-Share.
I-Share is searchable via a web-based (graphical) interface supported by Endeavor's "WebVoyage" product. I-Share is available at http://i-share.carli.illinois.edu. In addition, I-Share is searchable via the Z39.50 protocol, for users with Z39.50-compliant client software.
The I-Share member libraries cooperatively share resources among the consortium members and beyond I-Share. Items not available at the local library can be located and borrowed from other I-Share libraries by using I-Share. Requested items are sent from the lending library to the borrower's local library. Additionally, I-Share’s reciprocal borrowing policy allows people who are registered borrowers at an I-Share library to visit any I-Share library and borrow items onsite. Each of the Illinois library systems' headquarters makes use of I-Share as part of its interlibrary loan services.
Online, context-sensitive help is available within WebVoyage.
For help connecting to I-Share, see "The ILCSO URL Builder." For help searching I-Share once you are connected, see the online help screens.