Written By: Jerrin Duty 

Undergraduate or graduate, staff or faculty, we are all looking for ways to save money where we can. At least if you’re anything like me free stuff is where it is at. So here are some tips and tricks to game the system and get as many free things as possible. The UNT Libraries offer over 3 million resources, including books, movies, video games, and music. But why limit yourself to only the UNT Library items? This post will cover 3 other ways to access materials at no cost to you.  

Interlibrary Loans

Interlibrary loan, sometimes referred to as ILL or ILLiad, is a way that libraries across the country share materials. If UNT doesn’t have access to the book or article you are looking for, submit an ILL request through the UNT Libraries website and another library may be able to provide it to you at no additional cost. Many public libraries also offer ILL services, but with an out-of-pocket cost to the user, however UNT covers that cost for all students, staff and faculty.  

To use the ILL service, go to the accounts login tab at the top right of the library website. Then select log into Illiad, and login using your EUID and password. From the ILLiad home page you can then submit a request for materials like books, articles and newspaper clippings. 

TexShare

Similar to ILL, a TexShare card gives you access to materials from other libraries. But a TexShare card can only be used for in person transactions. TexShare is a system of almost 500 Texas Libraries that allow cross-library user access. To utilize the TexShare network, come to the front desk at UNT Willis library to pick up a TexShare card. TexShare cards can also be received in the mail after requesting over the phone or by emailing circ@unt.edu. Then you’ll be able to check out materials from other universities and colleges, as well as various public libraries across the state of Texas. Interested in browsing at the TWU libraries? With a TexShare card you can! 

TexShare and ILL are especially useful when paired with the WorldCat system. WorldCat is a comprehensive catalog combining the materials of thousands of libraries across the globe. This catalog contains information for books, articles, e-books, audiobooks, movies, musical scores and more. In WorldCat you can search almost any form of media and find the closest library to take your TexShare card to for checkout. Additionally, finding an item in WorldCat before filling out the ILL item request will make filling out the item information easier. WorldCat auto-populates all of the metadata information the new request form will ask for.  

Public Libraries

Speaking of Public Libraries don’t forget about the great system that is the Denton Public Library. If you are a Denton Resident, even if you live in a dorm, you can get a library card for the Denton Public Library and gain access to their extensive collection of physical and digital resources. Personally, I am a big fan of their Cloud Library e-books and DVD collection. But the good news doesn’t stop there! The Houston Public Library also offers free library cards to any Texas Resident. If you have a Texas Driver’s License, Texas State ID or a passport, you can apply for a MyLink card to the Houston Public Library and access all their digital materials.  

Do not be fooled by the traditional reputation of libraries, the digital collection of the Denton Public Library is vast. Both libraries offer e-books, audiobooks, movies, and music through websites and apps like Hoopla and Kanopy. Why pay for Spotify or Netflix when you can stream movies for free from the UNT Media Library, Denton Public Library, and Houston Public Library?  

References 

Denton Public Library. (n.d.). Get a card. https://library.cityofdenton.com/screens/dpl_card.html 

Houston Public Library. (n.d.). MyLink. https://houstonlibrary.org/mylink 

UNT Libraries. (n.d.) Accounts login. University Libraries. https://library.unt.edu/accounts-login/ 

UNT Libraries. (n.d.) Interlibrary loan lending and document delivery. University Libraries. https://library.unt.edu/services/ill-document-delivery/ 

UNT Libraries. (n.d.). Texshare cards. University Libraries. https://library.unt.edu/services/texshare-cards/ 

WorldCat. (n.d.) Home. https://search.worldcat.org/