TLDR: Your Library Resources
Are you a UNC-Chapel Hill student or employee? Don’t miss out on resources that can enhance your studying and research, boost your classroom success, or make your non-academic life easier and more fun.
The Library has a lot to offer, and the items highlighted here are just the start. If you’re looking for a resource that’s not on this list, reach out and a member of Library staff can help!
News and magazines at no cost
The New York Times
Stay up to date with a free digital subscription to the New York Times.
The Washington Post
Get the latest news with free access to The Washington Post online.
The News and Observer
Read archival and up-to-date issues of the North Carolina News and Observer through the Library’s Newsbank database subscription.
NC Newspapers
The North Carolina Digital Heritage Center has digitized hundreds of newspapers from across the state, ranging from the 1700s to the present. Browse NC newspapers online now.
Entertainment at your fingertips
E-books and Audiobooks
Check out an e-book or audiobook remotely with Libby! Librarians have created curated collections of e-books on personal and financial wellness, anti-racism, and more.
Streaming films
Start watching now! Movies including “NOPE,” “Parallel Mothers,” “In the Heights” and other feature films are available for streaming.
Acessing and Sharing Research
Easy access through Google Scholar
Don’t let that paywall stop you! Learn how to configure your Google account to automatically find Google Scholar articles through your University Libraries account.
No cost open access publishing in SAGE Journals
Are you writing an academic paper? Our agreement with Sage Publishing allows Carolina researchers to publish open access articles in SAGE journals at no cost. Learn more about support for open access publishing.
Tools for developing your skills
NYT Cooking
Claim free access to NYT Cooking. With unlimited access to more than 19,000 recipes, easy-to-follow cooking guides and a virtual recipe box to save your favorite dishes, there’s something for home cooks of every level.
Transparent Language Online
Learn a new language with free access to Transparent Language Online, which provides courses for 110 different languages for all levels of learners.
SAT and ACT practice materials
Do you have a child preparing to take a college entrance exam? Our subscription to LearningExpress includes SAT and ACT practice materials that you can access for free.
Everything you need to start creating
Library MakerSpace
The Library MakerSpace enables Carolina students, staff, and faculty to explore emerging technologies. Items like 3D printers and scanners, Cricut makers, and sewing machines are available for use.
Borrowable items at the MDC
Content creators: need equipment like a green screen, an audio recorder, or a lighting kit? Reserve these items and more at the Media & Design Center! See the full list of bookable items now.
Podcast studios
Have you ever wanted to make your own podcast? The Media and Design Center in the basement of The Undergraduate Library has its own podcast recording studio! You can reserve time to record here.
Classical sheet music
Looking for some sheet music to play? Carolina students, faculty and staff have access to the Classical Scores Library, which is a collection of over 50,000 musical scores from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. Browse sheet music online.
And even more!
Cooperative Borrowing
Away from Chapel Hill? Carolina students, faculty, and staff can use their OneCard to borrow books from any TRLN library and any UNC system institution library. Learn more about Cooperative Borrowing!
Student newsletter
Students! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get more tools for academic success; staff picks for streaming, reading, and listening; and fun highlights from the archives.
The original version of this list was published in September 2021. It was last updated in January 2025.