Services of the UNT Libraries

Check Out Materials

This is a starting point for info on lending privileges, locations, borrowing reserve items, and borrowing items from other libraries.

Details: Circulation Policies & Procedures

Online Holds

We can deliver many regular circulating items to various library locations for you.

We can deliver many regular circulating items to various library locations for you. Online Holds Distance Learning Services Interlibrary Loan Borrowing and Document Delivery Services Lending to Other Libraries Media Booking & Courier Service Overview Books can be requested through Discover for pickup at various library services desks throughout campus or for faculty delivery. After selecting a book through Discover, simply click on the “Request for pickup” link to submit a hold request. Login and select the pickup location. Some materials will have restrictions on where the items can be picked up. You will be able to place up to 10 holds at a time, and you will be able to manage your hold requests through your library account. Requests are processed within 48 hours if the items are available. You will be notified by email when the items are available for pick up and the items will be held at the requested service desk for 7 days from the time of notification. Items requested for pickup at the Media Library Service Desk are available for 3 days from the time of notification. Items that are checked out or not available may be requested through Interlibrary loan. Some students may be eligible for Distance Learning Services. Pickup Locations Discovery Park Library Service Desk Media Library Service Desk Music Library Service Desk Sycamore Library Service Desk Willis Library Services Desk Frisco Landing Library Service Desk Faculty Delivery Faculty are eligible to have books delivered through intercampus mail to their department offices. Select “Faculty - Deliver to Dept Office” as the pickup location when submitting your request. Willis Self-Service Pickup Located on the first floor of the Willis Library to the right of the Library Services Desk. Items picked up from the lockers will be checked out to your library account and can be picked up even when service desks are closed. You will receive an email when items are available. The email will include pickup instructions. Requests for an accessible locker can be made in the comments during the hold process. NOTE: Items will be available in the Self-Service Pickup Lockers for two business days starting at initial notification, after which they will be removed and placed on the Willis Service Desk Holds Shelf. Media and Music Audio Collection items cannot be picked up here — you must pick them up at their respective home library location. Questions? For more information about Online Holds e-mail Access Services or call (940) 565-2413.

Course Reserves

Required or recommended readings, music, media and other items for courses can be found at either a reserve desk or online. This page provides links to policies, online systems, and can help you find the right desk.

Need something for your class? Search Course Reserves.

Required or recommended readings, music, media and other items for courses can be found at either a reserve desk or online. This page provides links to policies, online systems, and can help you find the right desk. Course Reserves Overview Placing Items on Reserves Reserves Policies Need something for your class? Search Course Reserves. For Instructors: Placing Items on Reserves. What Are Course Reserves? The UNT Libraries holds and distributes course reading materials, including some textbooks, for students as requested by instructors. These materials are placed at a service desk within the libraries or are made available online and can include books, articles, chapters of books, sample tests, videos, CDs, and DVDs. Although we do not have copies of all course textbooks, we do have many that have been placed on reserves by instructors or are part of the UNT Libraries’ collection. To determine if your textbook is on reserves, please go to our Find Course Reserves page or you may search for the title in the library catalog. Library materials that are on reserves have a more limited checkout periods than items in the general collection and accrue overdue fines. For information about checkout periods and fine rates, visit the Borrowing Reserves Policy. There are special access restrictions for electronic items that are on reserves. Once you have located an electronic reserve by searching the Find Course Reserves page, you must follow the provided login instructions. The Course Password for online reserves items is distributed by the instructor to students currently enrolled in the course. Library staff are unable to provide the course password. Locations of Reserves at Service Desks Course reserves for physical items are divided among library service desks based on the course subject. Willis Library: Arts, Sciences, Education, Humanities, Social Sciences, World Languages and Spanish Courses. These subjects are located at the Library Services Desk, first floor. Music Library: Music materials including books, scores, CDs, vinyl records, and film. This subject is located at the Music Library Service Desk, in the Music Library, 4th floor, Willis Library. Discovery Park Library: Computer Science, Library & Information Sciences, Engineering, and Material Science Courses. These subjects are located at the Discovery Park Library Service Desk. Sycamore Library: Business, Economics, Emergency Management and Disaster Science, Geography, Political Science, and Public Administration Course Reserves and Government Documents and Law materials. These subjects are located at the Sycamore Library Service Desk, Sycamore Hall. Frisco Landing Library: College of Applied and Collaborative Studies and other courses being taught at Frisco. Regardless of the course subject, reserve materials for courses being taught at Frisco are held at the Frisco Landing Library Service Desk. Media Library: Materials including film, video, and tabletop games. Regardless of the course being taught, media reserve materials are located at the Media Library Services Desk, on the second floor of Willis Library. Review the Media Reserves Policy.

Courtesy Cards

Not currently enrolled or employed at UNT but you want to borrow materials from us? You might need a courtesy card.

Details: ID Card Policy

Not currently enrolled or employed at UNT but you want to borrow materials from us? You might need a courtesy card. Courtesy Cards TexShare Cards OCLC Cards Details: ID Card Policy Community members and other visitors should have a courtesy card for borrowing library materials. Individuals can apply for a Courtesy Card by submitting a Courtesy Card Application form or in person at the Library Services Desk in Willis Library. A picture ID will be requested to verify the individual presenting the card. The Courtesy Card as well as a picture ID must be presented each time materials are checked out. Currently enrolled UNT Students, Faculty, & Staff do not need to apply for a courtesy card. Your UNT ID is your library card. If you are an unenrolled graduate student or an unenrolled undergraduate student, please e-mail Access Services or call (940) 565-2413 regarding checkout privileges. See: TexShare Cards, OCLC Reciprocal Borrowing Cards. The following patrons may apply for a courtesy card: Current members of the UNT Alumni Association (must present current UNT Alumni Association card upon application or other proof that membership is current). A spouse or adult child of a UNT faculty or staff member residing in the same city as the faculty member. Part-time UNT faculty members. A retired UNT faculty or staff member. A Denton county permanent resident (a non-expired driver’s license which shows you reside in Denton County is needed. Current members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Anyone under 18 years old if attending high school and have a TexShare card. Borrowing Privileges Please see our circulation policies for specifics on loan periods, check out eligibility, fines rates, renewals, etc. Courtesy card holders can check out regular circulating print materials. A Courtesy Card does not provide off-site access to electronic resources or access to Wi-Fi. However, there are public access computers in the library that may be used for accessing the internet and electronic resources. A Courtesy Card is not required for using the public access computers. For more information concerning courtesy card eligibility or borrowing privileges e-mail Access Services or call (940) 565-2413.

Interlibrary Loan Borrowing and Document Delivery

Obtains items not available at the UNT Libraries from other institutions. Learn about eligibility, types of available materials, checking the status of a request, loan lengths, and your responsibilities.

Obtains items not available at the UNT Libraries from other institutions. Learn about eligibility, types of available materials, checking the status of a request, loan lengths, and your responsibilities. Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery are free resource sharing services for eligible UNT patrons that provide access to library materials either owned or not owned by UNT Libraries. The ILL service borrows or obtains items not available at UNT Libraries from other institutions. The Document Delivery service delivers electronic copies of articles and book chapters from the UNT Libraries’ collections. Eligibility Interlibrary Loan and document delivery services are available to: UNT faculty and staff. Currently enrolled UNT graduate and undergraduate students. UNT retired faculty. Interlibrary Loan Services are NOT provided for UNT Library Courtesy Card holders or other non-UNT individuals. Materials owned by the UNT Libraries Books: Request through online holds Journal articles and book chapters: Request through your ILLiad account Materials not owned by the UNT Libraries Books, journal articles, book chapters, newspapers in microforms UNT Libraries materials that are lost, missing, checked out, or not available Theses and Dissertations: Check the ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database before submitting a request. Materials Difficult to Obtain Rare or fragile materials Reference materials Complete issues of periodicals Software Maps Materials Not Available Through Interlibrary Loan Textbooks Sound recordings DVD’s and videos - faculty only - request audiovisual items using the book request form in your ILLiad account. Submitting ILL Requests ILL and Document Delivery requests are managed by the ILLiad system. You can submit requests electronically, check requests’ status, access electronically delivered items, apply for renewals, and view a history of your requests from your ILLiad account. You must submit one (1) request for each item. Provide as much information as possible in your request form. If an item is needed by a specific deadline, please indicate the date on the form. If the request cannot be filled by that date, it will be cancelled. For rush items, contact the ILL staff. Hint: One of the most effective ways to submit requests is via the “View access options” link that appears on an item record in OCLC’s worldcat. You must be on campus to see this link. Screenshot below. Patron Responsibility Books and other interlibrary loan materials must be returned by the due date. Materials may be returned at any of the Libraries’ Service Desks or book drops. All loaned items are subject to recall and are to be returned immediately. Patrons are financially responsible for items that are not returned, lost, or damaged while checked out. Failure to return Interlibrary Loan materials by the due date may lead to replacement charges levied by the lending library. In order to remain in good standing with our interlibrary loan partners, the UNT Libraries pay replacement charges. The patron is responsible for reimbursing the UNT Libraries. Replacement fees are non-refundable. Receipt of Materials Most ILL requests can be filled within 2 to 3 weeks depending on the location supplying the item. Requests which require special attention or handling may take longer. You will be notified when the materials have arrived using the preferred notification method chosen when you created your ILLiad account. Materials are picked up at: Library Services Desk, 1st Floor Willis Library Sycamore Library Service Desk Discovery Park Library Service Desk, Room B112 Frisco Landing Library Service Desk, Room 244 Home delivery through distance learning services A UNT ID card is required to pick up ILL materials. Length of Loans Materials are due at the time specified by the lending institution and usually varies from 2 to 6 weeks. “Library Use Only” materials are not to leave the library. Loans must be returned by the due date. Failure to return materials on time jeopardizes the Libraries’ standing with other institutions. If a book is overdue by 10 days or more, patron is blocked from submitting more requests and library privileges are suspended. All fines and fees assessed by the lending library are passed along to the user. Renewals Please make every effort to complete use of the ILL material within the original loan period. If you need a renewal, please make that request BEFORE the due date. Requests for renewal for overdue material will NOT be made. Renewals are at the discretion of the lending library. Only one renewal period is granted per title with the renewal period generally being 2 weeks. Copyright Restrictions The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Photocopies or other reproductions can be furnished only under certain conditions: Private study Scholarship Research Use of the reproduction for other purposes may make the user liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the request would involve violation of the copyright law. We will use document delivery vendors and the Copyright Clearance Center when possible.

Search Services for Missing Items

If a regular circulating item is missing from a shelf, you can request that we try to locate the item for you.

Technology & Computing Overview

The libraries provide a number of different technology & computing related resources for you. This page describes general information about them. Web-based tools used for research, or resource discovery are not discussed here.

Printing, Scanning, Photocopies

There are printers, scanners, and copiers located throughout the Libraries. This page gives you information about their locations, and other basic information.

Details: Printing & Photocopy Policies

There are printers, scanners, and copiers located throughout the Libraries. This page gives you information about their locations, and other basic information. Printing, Scanning, Photocopies Course Reserves The Spark Copyright Advisory Services Details: Printing & Photocopy Policies There are a number of printers, scanners, and copiers located throughout the Libraries. This page gives you information about their locations and other basic information. Please see instructions accompanying machines for full details on usage, costs, etc. General Information UNT students, faculty and staff will use their EUID and password to access printing throughout the Libraries. The SPARK, as one of the UNT Student Computer Labs, has provided student funded printers in the Libraries. All workstation within the Libraries, both community and SPARK, will be able to print to student funded if submitted by a currently enrolled UNT student. The Libraries provides pay to print services for all patrons. You will use your EUID or create a guest account (click on the link that says “Don’t have a UNT EUID”) if you are unaffiliated with the University. The UNT Libraries observe U.S. Copyright Laws. UNT Student Printing All Computers in Willis Library have access to the ‘Print Credit’ system for currently enrolled students through the student funded printers. Pay2Print Purchase Credit Online: Credit can now be purchased online at https://printing.unt.edu. Login with your EUID/Password or for community users create an account through the “I do not have a UNT EUID” link. Costs Three cents ($0.03) for one single-sided black-and-white-printed sheet. Five cents ($0.05) for one double-sided black-and-white-printed sheet. Ten cents ($0.10) for one single-sided color-printed sheet. Nineteen cents ($0.19) for one double-sided color-printed sheet. Locations Willis Library: Lower Level Public Use B&W Printer: No printing on this floor. Willis Library: 1st Floor Scanners: Available. Printing: Student funded printer available. Microform Scanner/Printing: Save scan jobs to a USB flash drive or pay to print. Willis Library: 2nd Floor Scanners: Available. Printing: Student funded printer available. Microform Scanner/Printing: Save scan jobs to a USB flash drive or pay to print. Willis Library: 3rd Floor Scanners: available. Willis Library: 4th Floor Public Use B&W Photocopy: One copier, pay per copy. Public Use B&W Printer: One general public black & white printer, pay per print. Sycamore Library Photocopies: Adjacent to the library printing Printing: All workstations print to the Public Pay2Print Printer and to the Student Funded Printers. Authenticated students can print using the “Print Credit” system to the student funded printers. Sycamore Library has one Public Use B&W Photocopy/Printer and one Color Printer. Scanners: Four flatbed scanners, attached to public workstations, are available. Discovery Park Library Library Printing/Photocopy: Printing and Photocopying is available using Pay2Print and Student Funded methods. Scanning: Students may use the scanner machine, located next to the reference desk in B112, to send files and images to their email account. Workstation Scanners: Two flatbed scanners, attached to public workstations, are located in Room B112. Frisco Landing Library Printing/Photocopy: Printing and photocopying is available using Pay2Print and Student Funded methods. Frisco Landing Library has two color printers with attached flatbed scanners.

On & Off Campus Access

Learn about the technical requirements for accessing online articles, databases, and other subscription-based electronic resources via the UNT campus network, at home, or using our wireless networks. This page also notes some resources and policy-based restrictions.

Learn about the technical requirements for accessing online articles, databases, and other subscription-based electronic resources via the UNT campus network, at home, or using our wireless networks. This page also notes some resources and policy-based restrictions. Electronic Databases provided by UNT Libraries can be accessed by any UNT student, faculty, or staff member from virtually any computer in the world. Campus Access Connecting to Electronic Databases on any of the UNT Campuses (Denton, Discovery Park, Health Science, or Dallas) is available via: UNT Campus: Any wired computer in the libraries or on campus. UNT Wireless Network: Access the campus wireless network. (Requires EUID/Password Authentication, See Below) Off-Campus & Wireless Access Most subscription based Electronic Databases will require you to login with your EUID and password. Look up Your EUID Activate your Account Reset your Password Proxy Access The following tools may be helpful in accessing materials from off campus. UNT’s VPN: Use the AnyConnect Client documented here. note: the browser-based client doesn’t work well for many resources. Download and use the AnyConnect Client instead. Bookmarklet: Proxy-ify It (Drag to your bookmark toolbar) | INSTRUCTIONS (including mobile safari) Chrome: EZProxy Redirect Extension Link Builder: Construct a URL to test/share Firewall Information The UNT Libraries use a transparent URL rewriting proxy server to connect to databases, e-Journals, and other electronic media. A user name and password are necessary to gain access to most databases, e-Journals, and other electronic media. A UNT Internet Services Account is assigned to every student, staff and faculty member and must be activated before you can use these resources. Firewall Ports If you have issues connecting to Electronic Resources from off campus, you may be behind a firewall. Please tell your network administrator to configure the firewall to allow ports 2048 - 19999 to connect to server IP address 129.120.93.218. Access for Alumni Alumni no longer have access due to contractual agreements with the resource vendors. Alumni who are working with or for the university can have access granted for the duration of their work. This may require requesting a special login through the department head with which the alumni is working. See Also: UNT Computer Use Policy (14.003). Resources that Require Special Software For a small group of products that are loaded on CD-ROMs, you must use a downloadable helper program. Individual resources will list this requirement in their descriptions. Problems If you have problems accessing Electronic Databases try the following: Clear your browser’s cookies - these often get corrupted Verify your EUID and Password are correct. Check for any limits on number of “Simultaneous Users,” or other notes about outages, etc. Attempt access through the Campus VPN. Use our Ask Us service for help. Report a problem via e-mail. Logging Out Some subscription systems have a limited number of “simultaneous users” or have other unusual internal logging out requirements. Because of this: Whenever you finish using an electronic product, look for a “log out” or “log off” button, typically on the right side of the screen. Click on it to exit. This frees up the product so others can use it.

Reserving a Study Space

Study Rooms, Pods, and One-Button Studios are available in various locations. Find out where these spaces are located, hours of availability, and get up to speed on use policies. See:

Check Out Laptops

The UNT Libraries offers access to a limited supply of laptops to currently enrolled UNT students. Special policies, fines rates, and other guidelines apply. See:

The UNT Libraries offers access to a limited supply of laptops to currently enrolled UNT students. Special policies, fines rates, and other guidelines apply. See: Check Out Laptops Policy for Borrowing Laptops & Equipment Borrowing Laptops from the Libraries The UNT Libraries provides laptop checkouts to currently enrolled UNT students. Laptops are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students should visit the library in person with their UNT ID card to checkout a laptop. Laptops must be returned to the service desk from where they were originally checked out. Laptop Checkout Locations The following library service desks provide laptop checkouts during hours of operation. MacBooks are only available at Willis Library. Willis Library: The Spark, First Floor Sycamore Library: Sycamore Service Desk Frisco Landing: The Spark @ Frisco, Room 150 Discovery Park: The Spark @ Discovery Park, Room B135 Laptop Checkout Terms Please see this page regarding circulation loan periods, fines, etc. Related Policies Borrowing Laptops & Equipment Fines Assessment Policy Damaged Item Charges Saving Your Work Do not save any files to the laptops hard drive. They will be erased when the laptop is turned off. Files can be saved to a personal storage device or your UNT Student Storage Space on OneDrive. Once the computer is shut down, any files saved on the hard drive will be erased. Technical Assistance Library staff does not provide technical or software support for users. If you experience problems with your borrowed laptop, please return it to the appropriate desk. You will be given another laptop, if available. Technical Support and Software Application questions may be directed to the Spark or (940) 369-5259. Laptop Use Guidelines, Reminders, and Software It is important for laptop borrowers to understand the intent of the laptop lending program. The program is maintained by the Facilities and Systems department of the Library. Please visit the Spark website for more information on the Laptop Lending program.

The Soundbox (Music Technology Lab)

The Soundbox is a music technology lab with resources for music production and sound design:

Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs): For composing, sequencing, arranging, and editing.
Hardware: A rotating selection of semi-modular and fully modular synthesizers, microphones, recorders, and audio interfaces available for checkout with a UNT ID.
Support: Our staff and student workers are knowledgeable in recording, music production, sound design, and composition.

Willis Library Lockers

We offer semester-long checkouts of lockers to Graduate Students in Willis Library.

The Spark (Makerspace and Technology Lending)

The UNT Libraries’ makerspace, The Spark, promotes the cooperative and creative use of technology. We provide the UNT community with access to equipment, software, and training that promotes innovative, cross-disciplinary learning.

Overview (hours, location, staff, workshops)
Audio/Visual Equipment
Electronics, Programming, & Prototyping
Printing, Cutting, & Replication
Textiles
Tools

Copyright Advisory Services

UNT Libraries copyright specialists assist faculty, students, staff and community members in understanding copyright law (including fair use), plagiarism, and publisher agreements and other contracts for transfer or licensing of material protected by copyright. Our services include individual consultations, small-group workshops, and presentations on a variety of subjects.

UNT Libraries copyright specialists assist faculty, students, staff and community members in understanding copyright law (including fair use), plagiarism, and publisher agreements and other contracts for transfer or licensing of material protected by copyright. Our services include individual consultations, small-group workshops, and presentations on a variety of subjects. About UNT Libraries copyright specialists, who are members of University Information Policy Officers, assist faculty, students, staff and community members in understanding copyright law (including fair use), plagiarism, and publisher agreements and other contracts for transfer or licensing of material protected by copyright. Our services include individual consultations, small-group workshops, and presentations on a variety of subjects. Individual Consultations Consult with copyright specialists to better understand copyright issues related to your teaching, research, or scholarship, determining fair use or public domain status, and more. Workshops Workshops can be arranged for the UNT community on topics such as basic copyright law, understanding fair use and other exceptions, retaining your rights as an author, and many other topics. Workshops can be designed for a broader audience or specifically tailored to an academic department. Class Presentations Class presentations can educate students on issues such as copyright infringement, using the fair use exception, locating public domain or creative commons materials to use in works, and the intersection of copyright, plagiarism and academic integrity issues. Contact Us For any of the services above, please contact copyright@unt.edu to reach the Libraries’ copyright specialists. See also these online resources from the Libraries and CLEAR: UNT Libraries’ Copyright Quick Reference Guide provides an overview for creators and users of creative works CLEAR’s Copyright Guide helps instructors understand copyright permissions when using others’ work in your teaching. UNT Libraries’ Copyright White Papers Collection – These whitepapers, written for library staff, address various topics in copyright law.

UNT Libraries Scholarly Publishing Services

The UNT Libraries Scholarly Publishing Services offer:

Consultations on scholarly publishing projects and on navigating the changing world of academic publishing
Resources for scholarly authors and editors
Aquiline Books: publishing works of scholarship from the UNT community
UNT Libraries Journal Hosting: free hosting and support for qualified journals edited at UNT

Digital Scholarship

The Digital Scholarship Committee is a library-wide working group that seeks to develop tools, training, and research support for members of the UNT community and their digital endeavors.

Assistance with Grant-Funded Research

Scholars across disciplines use resources provided by the UNT Libraries in the course of their research, including that research that is funded through grants. These resources range from collections made available through the Libraries (including access to online journals through licenses paid for by the Libraries) to digital expertise and infrastructure allowing researchers to easily organize, share, and preserve the products of their research.

Scholars across disciplines use resources provided by the UNT Libraries in the course of their research, including that research that is funded through grants. These resources range from collections made available through the Libraries (including access to online journals through licenses paid for by the Libraries) to digital expertise and infrastructure allowing researchers to easily organize, share, and preserve the products of their research. Overview Scholars across disciplines use resources provided by the UNT Libraries in the course of their research, including that research that is funded through grants. These resources range from collections made available through the Libraries (including access to online journals through licenses paid for by the Libraries) to digital expertise and infrastructure allowing researchers to easily organize, share, and preserve the products of their research. The services of the UNT Libraries that can be included in a grant application as documented cost share or, in certain cases, direct costs in grants. We encourage grant applicants to consult with the appropriate Libraries staff to verify the support that the UNT Libraries could offer in any grant-funded activity. Pre-award Grantseeking UNT Libraries subscribe to the Candid grant seeking databases, Foundation Directory and Foundation Grants to Individuals. The university also provides access to Pivot, a database of grant opportunities. See grantseeking resources to learn more about these and other resources from the Libraries. Data management: stewardship and preservation of data Funding agencies increasingly require that grant applications include plans for stewardship and preservation of data produced during the course of the grant project. The UNT Libraries provides guidance on writing data management plans, which, if desired, can include a commitment to preserve the data or other documents in the UNT Data Repository or other part of the UNT Libraries’ Digital Collections. See our information on data management for more information. Researchers affiliated with the College of Science should first contact the appropriate college research officer. Bibliometrics The UNT Libraries’ Guide to Scholarly Impact helps researchers locate h-indexes, citation counts, and other bibliometrics they may need for grant applications. Post-award Librarians serving on grant research teams Librarians can serve on grant research teams, performing roles such as: Collaborating on literature reviews and other research Consulting on data management, database design, controlled vocabularies, and stable identifiers such as DOIs, ISBNs, ISSNs, and ORCIDs Direct cost of a portion of a librarian salary. Please contact the appropriate subject librarian to discuss. Purchase of print or electronic resources for the UNT Libraries collection Direct cost depending on the cost of the resources. Contact Collection Development Department to discuss. Co-sponsoring of outreach events When a grant project includes community outreach or relates to the collections of the Libraries, the UNT Libraries can co-sponsor events, hosting them in rooms of various sizes in library facilities and assisting with marketing and publicity. Please contact the appropriate subject librarian to discuss the scope of activity and to determine appropriate direct costs. Scanning and other digitization for public access and preservation through the UNT Libraries’ Digital Collections The Libraries can digitize physical documents and make them available to the public through the UNT Libraries’ Digital Collections. All digital objects and metadata associated with digital documents and datasets are subject to the Libraries’ best practices for digital preservation and the Collection Development Policy for the UNT Libraries’ Digital Collections. Contact the following to discuss direct costs for digitization: Material Type Contact Pages of text, photograph prints, negatives, slides, and other images Digital Projects Lab Newspapers, posters, and other large-format documents Digital Newspaper Unit Moving images (film and video) Media Library Audio Music Library In addition, contact Mark Phillips to discuss direct costs for storage and access as well as other digital library infrastructure questions. Building web or social-media archives (datasets of webpages or posts for study) The Libraries can crawl the Web to collect news stories, social media posts, or other webpages related to certain topics, gathering the data for study by researchers. (For example, see a “Yes All Women” Twitter Dataset.) Contact Mark Phillips to discuss the scope of the collecting and any associated direct costs that might apply. Post-grant Public access and preservation of products of grant projects The Libraries can provide public access to white papers, technical reports, datasets, and other documents produced during a grant project through the UNT Data Repository or UNT Scholarly Works. If access restrictions are needed, we can restrict access to members of the UNT community only. No cost for projects with small files (less than 200GB in total project size); otherwise, one-time direct cost of $500 per terabyte. We encourage project teams to include title pages with clear statements of responsibility and date of last revision on all documents and to include page numbers for ease of citation by other researchers.

Scholarly Communication Outreach

The Scholarly Communication Office offers workshops, class visits, sponsored events, and online resources related to scholarly writing, academic publishing, copyright & author rights, managing research data, open access & open education resources, and other topics related to the scholarly communication system. Contact us to set up a consultation or visit.

The Scholarly Communication Office offers workshops, class visits, sponsored events, and online resources related to scholarly writing, academic publishing, copyright & author rights, managing research data, open access & open education resources, and other topics related to the scholarly communication system. Contact us to set up a consultation or visit. The UNT Libraries Scholarly Communication Office offers classroom visits, faculty or department presentations, workshops and sponsored events on a variety of topics related to scholarly communication, including: Scholarly Writing Academic publishing Editing & peer review Copyright & authors’ rights Managing research data and funding agency requirements Open Access, Open Education Resources, and Open Textbooks Scholarly impact and visibility We also maintain a number of online resources on these topics, and will be happy to set up an appointment to discuss your publishing projects or other questions you might have about the scholarly communication environment. Class Visits We can schedule a brief (15-20 min.) overview of our resources and services, or a longer discussion of any of the topics above that might be of interest to particular faculty, students, or staff. These workshops and class visits are ideally suited to graduate classes or upper-level undergraduate classes with a significant research or publication component (such as a thesis or conference presentation). Faculty Presentations We’re also happy to do presentations or workshops for faculty or departments that might be interested in learning about our services or discussing particular issues in scholarly communication such as publication opportunities, editing & peer review practices, author rights, or data management. If you would like to schedule a visit from one of our librarians, please contact: scholarlycommunication@unt.edu Scholarly Communication Workshops: The UNT Libraries Scholarly Communication Office and the UNT Digital Library staff conduct workshops & presentations by request that are designed to introduce researchers to some of the central issues in scholarly communication and to the services that the Libraries provide. These workshops are open to all UNT faculty, students, and staff who want to learn more about scholarly publishing, copyright, open access repositories, and other topics related to transformations in scholarly communication. If you have questions or would like to schedule a workshop, please contact scholarlycommunication@unt.edu Open Access Symposia An annual symposium sponsored by UNT on topics relevant to Open Access initiatives. Other Scholarly Communication Resources Below are links to some of the web-pages and guides maintained by the Scholarly Communication Office. Please feel free to share these with your students or colleagues. Scholarly Publishing Services Scholarly Writing Guide Copyright Advisory Services Copyright Guide Data Management page Data Management Guide Open Access@UNT Open Access Guide Scholarly Communication Librarians Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or any special requests for presentations, workshops, or resources. John Edward Martin, Director of Scholarly Communication, john.martin@unt.edu Copyright specialists (Yvonne Dooley), copyright@unt.edu

Media Booking & Courier Service

Booking requests may be made by faculty and other teaching staff to use Media items for a class. Faculty may also request delivery of booked materials to and from central departmental offices. Learn about delivery times, who qualifies, and how to make a request on this page.

Booking requests may be made by faculty and other teaching staff to use Media items for a class. Faculty may also request delivery of booked materials to and from central departmental offices. Learn about delivery times, who qualifies, and how to make a request on this page. Booking Services What is a Booking? A booking is a request to use Media Library materials for a specific class. Booking of Media Library materials is provided to ensure availability of items. Who May Book Media Library Materials? UNT faculty. UNT teaching fellows and full-time staff members may request a booking if using an item for classroom instruction. How Do I Request a Booking? Bookings may be requested: By Phone: (940) 565-2484. By E-mail: media.library@unt.edu. or… Book Online Most media items can be booked from within the catalog. Search: the Library catalog. Select: the title from the list of search results and view the full item record. Click: the “Faculty: book this item for a class” link. Login: with your EUID and password (Forgot your password?). Complete the form: Both your email address and phone extension are required fields. You will receive an email confirming your booking within 2 business days. Note: Teaching Fellows are not eligible to use this form. Please contact the Media Library directly for booking requests. Courier Services Courier Services - Central Campus (Denton) Faculty may request courier service for their booked media materials to and from central departmental offices. Notice of at least 2 business days is required. The courier will make one delivery per day, with no deliveries on weekends or university designated holidays. Note: Items located in remote storage may require additional delivery time. Courier Services - Discovery Park Faculty may request courier service of media materials to and from a central location within the building. Notice of at least 2 business days is required. Requests will be delivered to Discovery Park Library Service Desk in B112.

Media Transfer Services

The Media Library offers a free, self-service video-to-DVD transfer station as well as paid digitization services and preservation consultations. Learn how you can transfer your old videos to digital formats.

The Media Library offers a free, self-service video-to-DVD transfer station as well as paid digitization services and preservation consultations. Learn how you can transfer your old videos to digital formats. Self-Service Video Transfer Station The Media Library’s Self-Service Video Transfer Station allows patrons to transfer VHS tapes directly to DVD. Using the Transfer Station Use of this station is free of charge. This station is self-service. An instructional manual and limited hands-on assistance is available. Please view the instructional video in advance to familiarize yourself with the equipment. If you require individualized instruction, please call or email the Media Library to schedule an appointment. Materials Needed to Use the Transfer Station This station can transfer VHS tapes. For other videotape formats, see our paid digitization services Users must bring their own blank recordable media (DVD-R, DVD-RW) Users must supply their own cables to connect devices to DV, RCA, or S-Video inputs. Copyright Notice Patrons should use this station for the legal transfer of materials. Legal uses may include: Transferring content for which you own the copyright (home movies, personal recordings) Transferring content when you have received permission from the copyright holder. Transferring materials in the public domain Transferring materials using the Fair Use doctrine Fee Based Digitization Services The Media Library provides archival quality digitization services for library patrons’ personal materials. Videotape Formats We Can Transfer Formats: VHS, VHS-C, S-VHS Digitization Fee: $25 per 2-hour tape (longer tapes billed by the hour) Formats: Betamax, Betacam, Betacam SP, DVCAM, DVCPRO, Mini DV Digitization Fee: $35 per tape *We can provide referrals for digitization of other videotape and motion picture film formats. If you don’t know what format you have, consult the Texas Commission on the Arts’ Videotape Identification and Assessment Guide or contact the Media Library. Digital Delivery Format: DVD Fee: 1 disc included; $5 per additional disc Format: Hard Drive* Fee: Cost of drive determined based on final digital file size. Patron may also provide their own Windows-formatted drive. Format:: Drop Box* Fee: No fee * Files can be delivered as 10-bit uncompressed .mov files or as lower resolution files. The delivered digital file format will be decided in consultation with the Media Library. Media Preservation Services The Media Library also provides consultation on the preservation of your media, including film and videotape. Preservation services may include: Hands-on inspection and assessment of media Minor repairs of film and videotape Recommendations for long-term physical and environmental storage Recommendations for digital reformatting Contact the Media Library to schedule a consultation on this and other media preservation topics.

Media Gaming Stations

The Media Library has console gaming stations available for individuals and groups wishing to play games in the Media Library and gaming PCs for individual play, the study of games and gaming, and in-house use of virtual reality devices.

Media Reference Services

Film and Media reference services are available upon request.

See Also:

Library Instruction

The skills and concepts taught in these classes provide students with a better comprehension of library research and improve their skills using the Libraries.

Tours

Individuals are welcome to request a personal tour of the Libraries during regular operating hours at any of the Libraries’ Service Desks.

Government Information Connection

UNT Libraries’ Government Information Connection assists with questions or advice about finding government, business, geographic, or legal information. Our subject guides provide a starting place for individuals looking for government information or services. In addition to the students, faculty, and staff of the University of North Texas, we serve the local community and beyond.

Special Collections: Research

We house a growing collection of unique primary source research materials in the Special Collections. Learn about visiting, locating materials, handling items, and our Research Fellowship Program. See Also:

We house a growing collection of unique primary source research materials in the Special Collections. Learn about visiting, locating materials, handling items, and our Research Fellowship Program. See Also: Special Collections: Research Special Collections: Classroom and Group Visits Visiting Collections are open to the public for use in the Judge Sarah T. Hughes Reading Room, located on the 4th floor of Willis Library, during normal operating hours. Since many of our collections are stored off-site, patrons are advised to contact the department prior to arrival to ensure books and other collections are available for use. Reading room hours vary of the course of the year. Please check our schedule for current hours and note any exceptions. Locating Materials Many of the books and periodicals that comprise the Special Collections can be found in the UNT Libraries Catalog. In addition, archive, manuscript, microform, photography, and some special indexes to collections can be searched in our on-line finding aids. Finding aids allow you to discover and understand the content and context of materials in a collection. The Special Collections department receives new archival and rare and unique materials on a regular basis and some of our collections are not yet cataloged. If you are having trouble finding a book or a collection one of our staff members will be happy to assist you. Using Materials When requesting access to Special Collections materials for the first time, all patrons will be required to review an overview of our reading room policy and procedures and create a researcher’s profile through Aeon – the system UNT Special Collections uses to process and track requests. When visiting the Hughes Reading Room for the first time to use materials, patrons will be asked for a form of photo identification to confirm their account in Aeon prior to accessing requested materials. For information on duplication, use of digital cameras in the reading room and permission for publishing archive and rare books materials please see the Policy and Forms section. If you would like to use Special Collections for commercial and non-profit promotional purposes, broadcast/TV/documentary, public display, exhibition, publication in print, internet or digital formats, or any other use, please complete the Request to License Special Collections Materials form. Special Collections Research Fellowships The University of North Texas Libraries invites applications for the UNT Special Collections Research Fellowship. Research in special collections is relevant to studies in a variety of disciplines including history, journalism, political science, geography, fine art, art history and American studies. We encourage applicants to think creatively about new uses for special collections. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate the greatest potential for publication and the best use of special collections at UNT Libraries. For more information and application details please visit UNT Special Collections Research Fellowship. Send questions and applications for the Special Collections Research Fellowships to Meagan May, Public Services Librarian]. Coursework Development Grants The University of North Texas Special Collections accepts applications for the Special Collections Coursework Development Grant on a rolling basis. These grants are awarded to teaching faculty who are looking to develop projects and assignments that will utilize materials held by Special Collections. Recipients will receive a grant of $500 to be made available as research and professional development funding. Proposals for the use of both physical and digital materials will be accepted. For more information or questions, please contact Public Services Librarian, Meagan May, at meagan.may@unt.edu. The Coursework Development Grant is supported by the Toulouse Archival Research Program Endowment. Special Collections Summer Archives Institute The Special Collections Summer Archives Institute is an experiential learning opportunity designed to immerse students in hands-on archival work, providing valuable experience and training in professional archival practice within the UNT Special Collections department. Each student will receive training to arrange and describe a unique archival collection. Additionally, each week a Special Collections staff member will lead a discussion about an area of archival practice to provide students opportunities to learn about all aspects of archival work such as preservation, digitization, public service, and instruction. At the conclusion of the Institute students will be asked to give a 3-5 minute “lightning” talk as part of a public presentation. Send questions and applications for the Special Collections Summer Archives Institute to Meagan May.

Special Collections: Classroom and Group Visits

Special Collections at the University of North Texas offers a range of services for University of North Texas faculty and other educators in the community who are interested in teaching with rare books and archival materials. Our staff can assist with identifying appropriate material and developing class assignments or you may browse our finding aids or library catalog prior to contacting us. A list of our archival and rare/unique collection strengths are available on our website.

Special Collections at the University of North Texas offers a range of services for University of North Texas faculty and other educators in the community who are interested in teaching with rare books and archival materials. Our staff can assist with identifying appropriate material and developing class assignments or you may browse our finding aids or library catalog prior to contacting us. A list of our archival and rare/unique collection strengths are available on our website. About Special Collections at the University of North Texas offers a range of services for University of North Texas faculty and other educators in the community who are interested in teaching with rare books and archival materials. Our staff can assist with identifying appropriate material and developing class assignments or you may browse our finding aids or library catalog prior to contacting us. A list of our archival and rare/unique collection strengths are available on our website. Special Collections offers a variety of instruction sessions, ranging from a brief tour and general introduction to Special Collections’ resources to an in-depth presentation on specific materials relevant to your course. Here are some examples of our instruction services: Tour (15-20 minutes) Take a special tour of the Special Collections department or add the department tour to your library visit. On this tour students and community groups will become acquainted with the reading room and will get a broad overview of Special Collections and services. Visitors will also have an opportunity to view our exhibit and talk with archivists and librarians. Introduction to Special Collections In this instruction session students will learn the basics of conducting archival research. Topics covered include what to expect when visiting an archive, using finding aids, navigating the UNT Digital Library and The Portal to Texas History, and citing archival sources. For a small class it may be possible for archivists to work one-on-one with students on their research topics. Primary Source Instruction This instruction session will help students understand the difference between primary and secondary sources. Students will have the opportunity to interact “hands on” with primary sources from our collections and discuss how to incorporate primary sources into their research. A focus on digitized resources can be added in addition to or in place of a focus on physical objects. Authors, Books, and Book Art Your class can explore the holdings of the Special Collections department with an emphasis on a particular time period, an author, a book style or the use of the book form in artistic expression. Our strong collections of first editions, miniature and artists’ books make this a memorable experience for students. Photography Study Collection/History of Photography Your class will meet in the library to view the Photography Study Collection, a set of original artists’ prints and portfolios selected to demonstrate a range of photographic printing processes and techniques. Separately, or in addition to the Study Collection, you may request examples of historical photography including cased photography, carte de visite, albumen prints and cyanotype prints. Vintage cameras, photography related artifacts and camera manuals are also available. Requests Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance of your planned visit. We prefer that instructors are present during class sessions. Questions If you have questions or need special arrangements please contact Special Collections. We look forward to working with you! Schedule a Visit

Software Carpentry

Software Carpentry is an internationally active nonprofit organization whose mission is to teach professionals and students the ins and outs of programming so they can excel and become more efficient in their field.

Tutoring Services

We are partnering with the UNT Writing Center and Learning Center to provide as much help as possible for you when you come to Willis Library. Stop by Willis Library, 2nd floor for help during tutoring hours. No appointment needed!

Services for Persons with Disabilities

This page describes services and other information applicable to users with disabilities. It notes contacts, policies and procedures, as well as short descriptions of adaptive equipment.

This page describes services and other information applicable to users with disabilities. It notes contacts, policies and procedures, as well as short descriptions of adaptive equipment. General Information UNT Libraries strive to maintain reasonable accommodations for users with disabilities. Any library user with a disability that will require additional accommodations regarding software or equipment must present a written request to: Judy Hunter Facilities and Operations Manager Willis Library, (940) 369-7462 E-mail: judy.hunter@unt.edu Policies & Procedures Please see the UNT Disability Accommodation Policy for Students and Academic Units (16-001). University of North Texas AA/EOE/ADA Information. As per Library Use Policies, trained service animals are the only animals permitted in the Libraries. The UNT Libraries recommend that students register with the Office of Disability Access, Sage Hall, Suite 167, (940) 565-4323. Facilities There are accessible tables, carrels, and computers available on each floor of Willis Library and on the main floors of the Sycamore Library, and Discovery Park Library. There are accessible tables, carrels, and computers available on each floor of Willis Library and on the main floors of the Sycamore Library, and Discovery Park Library. Study Pod LL-1, located on the Willis Lower Level, is Wheelchair Accessible. Study Pod LL-1, located on the Willis Lower Level, is Wheelchair Accessible. Research Assistance Services Reference assistance offered in Willis Library includes assistance by telephone, reference by appointment for one-on-one consultation, E-mail reference. Reference by Appointment: This service is available to those needing in-depth reference assistance. Please inform the staff of your special needs, so they can better accommodate you. E-Mail Reference: - E-mail form for submitting questions to reference staff. Ask Us: Reference Services at the UNT Libraries. Jennifer Rowe Social Sciences & Community Engagement Librarian Jennifer.Rowe@unt.edu 940.369.7815 Materials Retrieval Users with disabilities that prevent them from retrieving library materials may request at a service desk that materials be pulled for them. Locations The request for assistance may be made in person, by phone, or by e-mail. Government Documents can make arrangements for community members not affiliated with UNT to use electronic government information products in the Adaptive Computer Lab or other approved facilities. Accessible Content A number of cataloged items have features or attributes that have been designed to aid users that may assist some patrons. Though not exhaustive, the following list provides quick access to cataloged materials: Video recordings for the hearing impaired Video recordings for people with visual disabilities Audio Books & Spoken Recordings Large Print Access Services (Circulation & ILL) Circulating items may be renewed through the UNT Library Catalog. Circulation also offers material delivery and distance learning services. Photocopy Services Please go to The Spark Technology Engagement Service Desk on the first floor of Willis Library. Individuals will be wearing a grey vest. You can also call 940-369-5259. Adaptive Equipment Computers Facilities and Operations supports all the computers in the Libraries, including those with special software to assist patrons with disabilities. The Spark, a unit within the Facilities and Operations department and a member of the UNT Student Computer Labs system supports the laptops and workstations in Willis Library. All public computers have the following software installed: JAWS 2021 | JAWS PDF Quickstart Guide Windows integrated adaptive software Apple Accessibility In addition, the ADA Assistive Devices area on the first floor of Willis Library Just outside the 130 Learning Center has the following equipment: High Contract/Large Print keyboard HP Printer and Release station Perkins Brailer TOPAZ Desktop Magnifier The TOPAZ Desktop Video Magnifier makes seeing printed type, pictures, handwriting and small details easier. Place a letter or picture on the moveable reading table, and adjust the magnification level and the display colors to work best for your eyesight. The document displays in large size on the screen. Two Dell Workstations Video Phone The Spark strives to maintain reasonable accommodations for patrons with disabilities. In an effort to best meet the computing needs of patrons with adaptive requests UNT created an adaptive lab. The Adaptive Student Computer Lab is designed specifically to meet the needs of disabled or adaptive needs patrons. The Adaptive Lab is supported by UIT and is located in Sage Hall, Room 330. Other Equipment A library-use refreshable braille display is available on the 4th floor of Willis Library Gaming controllers and other assistive devices are available for checkout at the Media and Discovery Park Library service desks. Frisco Landing Library Frisco Landing Library has an assistive technology study room: FRLD 244C. Reservations for this rooms can be made onsite, in advance using Frisco Landing’s EMS room reservation system, or by contacting the Frisco Landing Library. This room features: Widescreen monitor Large print keyboard Adjustable height tables Tabletop power outlets Accessibility software: FS Reader JAWS Zoom Text Fusion 2023 Sonic Visualizer For questions about this room or to request a reservation, please contact us in person at the Frisco Landing Library Service Desk (244E), by phone at 972-668-7455, or by email atfrisco.library@unt.edu.

Texas Digital Newspaper Program

The Texas Digital Newspaper Program (TDNP) partners with Texas communities, publishers, and institutions to promote standards-based digitization of newspapers and to make newspapers freely accessible via The Portal to Texas History.

The Texas Digital Newspaper Program (TDNP) partners with Texas communities, publishers, and institutions to promote standards-based digitization of newspapers and to make newspapers freely accessible via The Portal to Texas History. About TDNP The Texas Digital Newspaper Program (TDNP) partners with Texas communities, publishers, and institutions to promote standards-based digitization of newspapers and to make newspapers freely accessible via The Portal to Texas History. Through continual outreach visits across Texas combined with advanced technological infrastructure and multiple funding sources, TDNP has become a state and national leader in newspaper preservation. People who work with the Digital Newspaper Program range from university researchers to librarians, K-12 students and educators, lay historians, and genealogists. Digital Newspaper Preservation and Access The mission of TDNP is to preserve and make freely accessible any Texas newspaper title, from any location, of any size, from any year. If you are interested in adding your newspaper to The Portal to Texas History, we will: work with you to determine the type and scope of project help you prepare a project budget direct you toward private foundations interested in supporting your project assist you in preparing application materials for funding, as needed Many local groups raise money for newspaper digitization through fundraisers and private donors, and we can also assist you with community fundraising strategies to create digital access to your newspaper. As a National Digital Newspaper Program institution, we strive to adhere to the highest-possible quality in digitization and digital preservation. TDNP newspapers are digitized and digitally preserved according to national standards. Frequently Asked Questions What can I do to participate? All you have to do is know of a newspaper you’d like to help make available online. We are interested in any Texas titles, and we welcome anyone to participate. How much does it cost? While our price to digitize and provide long-term preservation and access is $1.03 per one newspaper page, the total price depends on project scope, and we will work with you to determine this. I started using PDF print masters a few years ago. Can you work with PDFs only? Yes, we can work with PDF print masters at no charge. We will need permission from the newspaper publisher to do so. Can you digitize my newspaper title from the paper copy or microfilm? We can scan from either paper copy or microfilm. When scanning from paper, we create full-color, 24-bit, 400 dpi tiff images. When scanning from microfilm, we create grayscale, 8-bit, 400 dpi tiff images. We strive to adhere as closely as we can to national digitization standards to produce the highest-quality output possible. Contact Us If you would like more information about including your community’s newspaper in the Texas Digital Newspaper Program, please feel free to contact us: Ana Krahmer Coordinator, Digital Newspaper Program UNT Libraries 1155 Union Circle #305190 Denton, TX 76203-5017 940.565.3367 TEL email: ana.krahmer@unt.edu Useful Links TDNP Blog Explore All TDNP Newspaper Titles The Portal to Texas History Portal Pinterest Page The Portal to Texas History on Facebook Other State Digital Newspaper Programs

Keeper

From a Babylonian clay tablet created in 2,000 B.C. to a blog post you made 10 minutes ago, the UNT Libraries are committed to the preservation of information of all formats.

From a Babylonian clay tablet created in 2,000 B.C. to a blog post you made 10 minutes ago, the UNT Libraries are committed to the preservation of information of all formats. What We Preserve From a Babylonian clay tablet created in 2,000 B.C. to a blog post you made 10 minutes ago, the UNT Libraries are committed to the preservation of information of all formats. Every day you record information about your life at UNT– in electronic documents, digital photographs and digital video. However, unlike a clay tablet, these digital artifacts will not survive in the long term unless we take immediate steps to preserve them. Keeper is a web application that makes it easy to donate digital materials to the University Archive where they can be preserved into the future. The UNT University Archive collects materials related to UNT history, campus culture, and the student experience. How You Can Help Help us build the archive of the future by preserving a piece of your digital life as a UNT community member—whatever that may be. You can submit anything from a selfie on your first day of class to a video on your graduation day. You can even submit digital copies of physical items (like scans of photos or written documents) that you’re not ready to part with. This way you can hold on to your memories while also adding them to the online archival collection for others to experience. Nearly any digital file type can be donated through the Keeper app. Images, documents, videos, and audio recordings are all welcome contributions. Submitting materials to Keeper is easy. Follow the Keeper link below, and simply drag and drop files from your desktop, or upload files directly from your mobile device. Once files are added to the app, tell us a little about who you are and what you are contributing to the archive. Helpful description includes the date the material was created, the location, names of any people featured, and any other context to help archivists and future researchers understand what the material is and why it is relevant to our campus history. Archivists will review submissions for preservation. Then, the materials will be made available online in the Portal to Texas History and the UNT Digital Library. Materials added to the University Archive and UNT Digital Library will be part of a growing research collection of publicly accessible, digital archival materials. You can see examples of what has already been contributed in the University Memory Collection. For any questions about donating digital or physical materials, please contact the Special Collections. Terms and Conditions Your contribution to the University Archive is subject to the terms and conditions of the UNT Libraries Gift Agreement. By uploading files, you agree to these terms and conditions. Following your submission, an archivist will contact you to provide additional information about your submission. Start using Keeper now!

Borrowing and Delivery

Spaces, Technology, and Computing

Scholarly and Professional

Media Services

Research and Instruction

Other Services

Services by Category

Filter by Audience

See Also

Chat with Us