What's my library ID number?

Your library ID number is the 14 digit number located under the barcode on the back of your BenCard.  It begins with 2281100 and ends with your 7 digit "b-number".

See our Library Research Guide on BU Basics for more.

How do I find books?

See our Library Research Guide on BU Basics for information on checking out books at Benedictine University and at other I-Share libraries.

How do I renew materials I have checked out?

You may log in and renew items from Benedictine and other I-Share libraries in VuFind. You can also call the Circulation Desk at (630) 829-6050 to renew materials you've checked out.

How do I find journal articles?

See our Library Research Guide on Search Techniques.

If you know the name of the journal you are looking for see our Library Research Guide on BU Basics.

What is the "Find It @ BU" icon for?

The Find It @ BU icon allows you to search for the full text of an article when it is not available in the electronic resource you are using.  Clicking on the icon executes a search across all of our resources and returns a status of unavailable or available, and helps you request the item via interlibrary loan or links you to the item in another resource.

See our Library Research Guide on BU Basics for more.

What is a primary source?

A primary sources provide first-hand testimony or direct evidence about a topic. They are created by witnesses or recorders who experienced the events or conditions being documented. Often these sources are created at the time when the events or conditions are occurring, but primary sources can also include autobiographies, memoirs, and oral histories recorded later. Primary sources are characterized by their content, regardless of whether they are available in original format, in microform, in digital format, or in published format.

How do I know my resource is authoritative?

See our Library Research Guide on Critical Evaluation of Resources.

Where can I find government/state documents/information and statistics?

See our Library Research Guides on Government Documents and Statistics Sources.

How do I create a bibliography/cite my sources?

See our Library Research Guide on Citation Guides & Style Manuals.

What is RefWorks?  How do I use it?

RefWorks is a Web-based citation manager that keeps track of all the sources you are using for your papers and projects. It can also automatically generate bibliographies in a variety of bibliographic formats (APA, MLA, University of Chicago, etc.).

See our Library Research Guide on RefWorks for more information.

How do I request materials from other institutions (interlibrary loan)?

See our Library Research Guide on BU Basics for information on checking out books at Benedictine University and at other I-Share libraries.

How do I reserve a study room?

Students working in groups on our Lisle campus may reserve study rooms a minimum of three hours in advance by visiting or calling the Circulation Desk at (630) 829-6050. Study rooms may be reserved for four hours at a time. Study rooms may not be reserved for individual use. Any room not claimed within 15 minutes of the reservation or left unattended for more than fifteen minutes will become available on a first-come, first-served basis. Consecutive weekly reservations may be made four weeks at a time.

How do I apply for a job at the library?

The library routinely hires student workers at the beginning of the Fall and Spring undergraduate semesters. Positions occasionally open during other times of the year. All open positions are posted on the Benedictine University Employee Services' web site.