Research Guides: Public Services: How-To...: Access Resources After Graduation

Graduating?

You have access to a LOT of information resources by virtue of being an SHSU student.

Unfortunately, you will lose that access after graduation.

Here are some tips for accessing information resources after you leave SHSU.

You can continue to borrow physical materials, such as books and games, from SHSU NGL by obtaining a TexShare card from another library (see the next tab) OR by purchasing a Courtesy Card for $20 per year.

Unfortunately TexShare and Courtesy Cards do NOT provide off-campus access to NGL databases or Interlibrary Loan. A few public kiosks permit on-site visitor access to NGL databases.

TexShare is a statewide cooperative library service that allows members of one library to use another library. With public libraries (including public universities), this card often provides physical borrowing privileges; with some libraries, such as private universities, this card may only facilitate on-site use of library resources.

Start at a library where you are a member or registered user, such as your local public library.
Request a free TexShare card.
Use it as your library card at any other participating TexShare libraries--including city, county, and university libraries.

Learn more about TexShare

Find TexShare participating libraries

All residents of Texas are eligible for a library card from the Houston Public Libraries without a membership fee.

Begin your library card registration online.

Note: You may need to visit a Houston Public Library branch in person to complete registration, before being able to access online resources.

Find and join your local public library. This is usually free with proof of address (such as a utility bill).

Your public library will provide reading materials for fun, core research materials, and databases. Many public libraries now have e-books and e-audiobooks that can be downloaded from home. Public libraries can also provide Interlibrary Loan (ILL) services such as you may have used at SHSU.

Find a library near you

Many public universities have a mechanism to provide access to their databases to visitors on their premises. If you live near a university, even if you are not enrolled or employed there, contact their library to ask about visitor access to computers and databases in the library.