Occasionally, you may find that Harris County Public Library does not have the book or other item you are looking for. Don't panic! The TexShare Library Card Program and Interlibrary Loan can connect you with partner libraries across the state and around the globe who might have just what you are looking for.
TexShare & Interlibrary Loan
TexShare
The TexShare Card Program provides free borrowing privileges to registered borrowers of member libraries, academic and public.
Harris County Public Library participates in the TexShare Library Card Program sponsored by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. The TexShare Card Program provides free borrowing privileges to registered borrowers of member libraries, academic and public.
The TexShare card allows HCPL cardholders to borrow materials from other participating libraries in the State of Texas. Only currently registered HCPL customers in good standing (no overdue or lost books, and no library fines) may get a TexShare card from Harris County.
TexShare Cardholders visiting from another library system will be asked to provide proof of mailing address, issued HCPL library cards, and allowed full HCPL borrowing privileges with the exception of Interlibrary Loan.
Only HCPL customers registered for 90 days in good standing (no overdue or lost books, and no library fines) may get a TexShare card from Harris County.
For complete information on this State Library program see the TexShare Home Page at https://www.tsl.texas.gov/texshare/index.html.
Interlibrary Loan
When HCPL does not have a book, article or other item that you need, you may request it via interlibrary loan (ILL).
Interlibrary Loan is a system that allows libraries to share resources with one another. ILL staff locate a potential lending library and send a request to borrow the item you seek. The lending library photocopies articles or checks out the material in the name of Harris County Public Library. It then mails it to HCPL for you to pick up and check out on your library card.