There are several options for getting a Courtesy Borrower card. Please note that proof of address is required to get a Courtesy Borrower card from UT Libraries.
Join the Texas Exes
There are several alumni membership levels available--sign up quick, recent grads get special deals! After you've joined, bring your membership card, a photo ID and proof of current address to Courtesy Borrower Services in PCL to apply for your library card. You'll also get remote access to three article databases, Academic Search Alumni Edition, Business Source Alumni Edition, and JSTOR Alumni Edition. Note: Due to licensing agreements, Exes do not have remote access to online resources, including ebooks, other than the three databases listed above. Exes may access most library databases using library computers on campus for up to one hour, once per day.
Get a TexShare card
The TexShare Library Card Program is a reciprocal borrowing program, coordinated by the Texas State Library, which provides access to materials from many Texas libraries. If you're a patron in good standing at a participating public library, you can get a TexShare card from that library and bring it to Courtesy Borrower Services with your photo ID and proof of address to apply for your UT Libraries courtesy card. While the card is free, each participating library has its own qualifications for eligibility. For example, Austin Public Library requires their patrons to be in good standing for a period of six months before qualifying for a TexShare card. Check with your local library for details.
Are you a Texas resident?
If you are a Texas resident, but you don't qualify for a TexShare card, just bring proof of address, a photo ID, and $100 to Courtesy Borrower Services to apply for borrowing privileges at UT Libraries.
Courtesy borrowers can:
- check out print and media materials from all UT library branches
- access most electronic databases from onsite library workstations
- access online renewal and recall services
Courtesy borrowers cannot:
- access databases remotely
- check out equipment
- use interlibrary loan services
- access Jamail Center for Legal Research, the Harry Ransom Research Center, or the Center for American History
