As a member of the McCormick community, you have a rich reservoir of Iibrary resources housed at the University of Chicago at your fingertips!

Getting a UChicago Library Card

To set up your borrowing privileges, present a current government-issued photo ID to the ID & Privileges Office.

You may make an appointment to be issued a Library Card to save time.

Library Barcode and PIN

Your library barcode is the 7-digit number that appears directly below the scannable barcode on your Library card. You will be issued a PIN when you are issued your card.

Borrowing Privileges

Current students, faculty, and benefits-eligible staff are entitled for quarterly borrowing privileges with three automatic renewals and a 25 concurrent item limit at no charge.

Print and Electronic Services

As a student or faculty member at McCormick, you are welcome to consult the University of Chicago's print and electronic services by visiting the library.

Electronic Resources, Library Computers, & Wireless

You may access the University of Chicago's library's electronic resources while in Library buildings by using the University wireless network or Library computers.

Visitors need to present a current, government-issued photo ID to be issued credentials for the University wireless network or Library computers.

See Computers and Wireless for more information

Policies

You will be expected to abide by all University of Chicago policies, including their policies around Maintaining a Scholarly Environment. Note that visitor access to libraries may be limited during busy times. And that the University of Chicago Library reserves the right to bar anyone from any or all parts of its premises. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior or any other violations of Library policies may result in suspension of visitor access.

JKM RESOURCES

In addition to accessing the University of Chicago libraries, students and faculty are encouraged to avail themselves of the extensive electronic and other resources of the JKM Library. While the JKM library is currently undergoing transition during this 2023-2024 academic year, JKM librarians remain committed to making materials available electronically and through interlibrary loan and to assisting students and faculty to discover and interpret those resources according to their research needs. A convenient book pick-up table and drop-off box for interlibrary loans are located outside the fourth-floor elevators at the 5416 S. Cornell Ave. campus.

For more information about JKM resources that are available to you, please email ihaveaquestion@jkmlibrary.org.

Additional Services, I-SHARE, OpenAthens, and Reciprocal Borrowing

In addition to providing traditional library services (borrowing, research assistance, etc.) the JKM Library staff seeks to meet the information needs of LSTC faculty and students by:

  • Enabling faculty and students to place retrieval requests for materials as available from the JKM collection and from the other 87 libraries in the I-Share consortium.

  • Purchasing e-resources to support teaching and learning (within the constraints of budget and availability).

  • Providing access to robust relevant online resources that support teaching and learning.

For questions regarding library privileges, charges or blocks on your library account, and access to other libraries, write to ihaveaquestion@jkmlibrary.org.

I-SHARE

The JKM Library is a member of I-Share, a consortium of 88 academic and research libraries in Illinois. I-Share libraries offer universal borrowing, which allows LSTC students, faculty and staff to borrow items from any of the I-Share libraries by either visiting in person or requesting them through the JKM/I-Share catalog.

When borrowing in person from another I-Share library, LSTC-affiliated users should present:

  • Their JKM borrower’s card

  • Their LSTC ID.

Accessing JKM and I-Share resources

Following our move, there are two updates regarding JKM and I-Share resources:

  • the relocation of the pick-up location and dropbox (where you can return materials) to the LSTC front desk area on the 4th floor; and,

  • as of November 15, 2023, local requesting from the reconfigured JKM collection has been restored.

Condensed Spanish and English language instructions are in the works.

JKM Library borrower cards have been mailed out for users residing in the U.S. If you haven’t received your JKM borrower’s card, please contact library staff at the following email address:  ihaveaquestion@jkmlibrary.org. In your message, please provide your current street address. If you plan on visiting another I-Share library in person you will need to present your JKM borrower’s card.

OpenAthens

OpenAthens is the authentication and electronic access management system of the JKM Library, which you can use to:

  • access your JKM/I-Share Primo account, which allows you to request hardcopy materials from the JKM (closed) stacks or any of the other 89 I-Share libraries, check due dates, renew materials, etc.; and,

  • access e-resources such as the Atla Religion Database with AtlaSerials PLUS, Academic Search Complete, JSTOR, Ministry Matters™, as well as the thousands of e-books to which we provide access. 

OpenAthens credentials for new students are set up early in the semester. If you either lack credentials or your OpenAthens credentials aren’t working (e.g. you’re unable to access e-resources) contact library staff at ihavequestion@jkmlibrary.org

Accessing the University of Chicago Regenstein Library

If you’re planning on applying for borrowing privileges at the University of Chicago’s Regenstein Library the ID & Privileges office should have your information compliments of your school’s IT department. You’ll need to present a government-issued i.d. when applying for privileges. An ACTS borrower identification card is no longer required. More information about privileges and services McCormick-affiliated borrowers can be found here.

The ca. 135,000 items from the original JKM collection are now represented in the University of Chicago library catalog, where they can be requested for retrieval and pickup.

Reciprocal Borrowing

JKM participates in the Atla Reciprocal Borrowing program, which is an arrangement among participating Atla members to grant borrowing privileges to each other’s users for a limited duration (other restrictions may apply). When applying for privileges at a participating library, the LSTC-affiliated user must present proof of current enrollment (consult the Registrar) and abide by the library’s local lending policies. Individuals interested in applying for borrowing privileges at a participating library are urged to contact that library’s circulation department before visiting in person.

Overdue Fees

While JKM does not charge overdue fines, borrowers are expected to check their JKM/I-Share account frequently, and ensure that materials are either returned or renewed on or before the due date. Items not returned/renewed after 32 days are considered lost, and the borrower will be billed for replacement costs. Replacement costs begin at $75.00.

Every I-Share library determines its own policies regarding lost item replacement costs, blocks on library accounts, non-circulating materials, etc. Because of licensing restrictions set by publishers and vendors, e-resources (e.g.: ebooks, databases) owned by one I-Share library cannot be shared with the users associated with any of the other 87 I-Share libraries.

Meet the JKM Staff

Laura Frost,
Interim Director of the JKM Library

Laura Frost joined the JKM Library in 2024, after working for eight years as a librarian in Illinois and Wisconsin. As the Interim Director, Laura oversees all aspects of the library’s operations, including resource development and maintenance, library services, budget administration, and overall support for students, faculty, and staff.

Contact: lfrost@jkmlibrary.org

Barry C. Hopkins,
Research Librarian

Barry Hopkins joined the JKM Library in 2000 and, over time, has served as an Associate Librarian for Public Services and Interim Director. Today, he works remotely as a Research Librarian. In his current role, Barry collaborates with LSTC and McCormick faculty and students as integral partners in the teaching, learning, and research environments, and provides access to and interpretation of relevant resources.

Contact: bhopkins@jkmlibrary.org

Matthew Frost, JKM Services Coordinator

Matthew Frost is a doctoral student at LSTC and has been connected to the JKM Library since 2006. Matthew joined the JKM Library staff in 2021 and has previously worked with archival collections at LSTC. His duties have included circulation, document delivery, research assistance, and collection maintenance. As the new JKM Services Coordinator, Matthew will be supporting both the librarians and the library’s patrons with access and technical services behind the scenes.

Contact: mfrost@jkmlibrary.org

Have other questions? Email ihaveaquestion@jkmlibrary.org and our staff will be happy to respond as soon as they are able.