1.  If you only need a few chapters of a book the University Library owns, Doc Express may be an option.

2.  If you only need a few chapters of a book the University Library doesn't own, request them via Interlibrary Loan (ILL).

3.  If you are in Illinois, you may be near an I-Share library. If so, you can borrow items onsite at that library or request books and have them sent to that library free of charge. Refer to this map or list to see if you live near an I-Share library.  If so, check the I-Share catalog.  You may also return UIUC books to I-Share libraries at no charge. 

4.  If you are in the vicinity of a Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) school, you may be able apply for reciprocal borrowing privileges and check out the item if it's available there.

5.  OCLC participating institutions offer a reciprocal borrowing privileges for faculty.

6.  Check to see if there is an e-book version available in the Library Catalog, Internet Archive, Google Books, or HathiTrust.

7.  Search WorldCat, the worldwide catalog, to see if the item is available in a library near you (use city/zip code tool in upper right corner). You may be able to use the book while visiting the library, even if you are unable to check it out.