The University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries and the Health Sciences Center Libraries are engaged in a collaborative integration process designed to enhance access to library resources, collections, and services for all students, faculty, and staff across both institutions. This integration reflects our shared commitment to advancing research, teaching, clinical care, and community engagement through a unified approach to information resources.
During the initial phase, each library will continue to operate as a distinct entity while working collaboratively to align services, share expertise, and explore opportunities for expanded access to collections and digital resources. Access to electronic materials will continue to be governed by existing vendor agreements and available funding. Library services will remain staffed by librarians and professional personnel at each location, and access to physical spaces and collections will vary by site.
The FAQs below provide additional details about the merger and what to expect as integration progresses over time.
Will my library access change on Day One (September 1, 2025)?
No. All students, faculty, and staff will keep the same access they had before the merger. Each library—UT San Antonio Libraries and UT San Antonio Health Sciences Center Libraries—will continue normal operations while joint systems are developed.
Can I visit or reserve spaces at the other university’s libraries?
- Legacy UTSA users: May not visit or reserve UT San Antonio Health Sciences Center Libraries (Briscoe Library) spaces.
- Legacy UT Health San Antonio users: May visit UTSA Libraries’ public areas (JPL, Downtown, and AET) but cannot reserve study rooms until systems merge.
- Community guests: May use UT San Antonio Libraries’ public areas (JPL, Downtown, and AET); UT San Antonio Health Sciences Center Libraries remain closed to the public.
Can I use the other library’s online resources?
Not yet. Online databases and e-journals are still licensed separately.
- Legacy UTSA users: Log in with UTSA credentials to access legacy UTSA licensed content. UT Health’s electronic resources remain limited to UT Health users. The libraries are actively assessing which licenses can be jointly negotiated to expand access for both communities over time.
- Legacy UT Health San Antonio users: Log in with UT Health credentials to access legacy UT Health San Antonio licensed content. UTSA’s UT San Antonio’s electronic resources remain limited to UT San Antonio users. Until systems are integrated, users may request UT San Antonio materials through interlibrary loan.
- Community guests: Due to existing license agreements, community guests may access electronic resources only while onsite at a legacy UTSA Libraries location using designated computers. Community guests do not have access to UT Health San Antonio’s electronic collections.
How do I access physical materials?
- Legacy UTSA users: May borrow books and equipment from legacy UTSA Libraries with their UTSA ID. May request legacy UT Health San Antonio materials through the “Get It For Me” service.
- Legacy UT Health San Antonio users: May request legacy UT Health San Antonio and legacy UTSA materials through interlibrary loan until systems are integrated. May visit UT San Antonio Special Collections by appointment.
- Community guests: May browse the UTSA Libraries’ circulating collections during posted hours. May borrow materials by joining our Community Borrowing Program, which provides limited checkout privileges to non-UTSA-affiliated users.
Learn more at: UTSA Libraries Visitors & Alumni Borrowing Policy
How do I access Special Collections?
All users may access UT San Antonio Special Collections locations and the P.I. Nixon Medical Historical Library by appointment.
How are UTSA and UT Health Libraries working together to align collections and services?
Collections: The libraries are actively assessing which licenses can be jointly negotiated to expand access for both communities over time.
To better understand and align our electronic resources and their licenses, both libraries developed a shared Collection Assessment Framework. Over time, this shared framework will guide our ongoing collections review, helping UT San Antonio build a more connected, equitable, and sustainable library environment for our communities.
Services: Each legacy institution retains its full suite of local services—research and reference help, instruction, interlibrary loan, workshops, and technology lending—through its home institution. Cross-training opportunities and shared services are currently being planned.
Have questions or need more details?
We’re here to help. Please contact us at library.general@utsa.edu and we’ll work with our UT San Antonio and UT Health colleagues to get you the information you need.