The buildings of Iowa State University Library are open to the public, and all general collections (print and electronic) may be used freely on-site. Patrons wishing to borrow material from the Library, however, must present either the ISUCard (the standard University ID) or an ISU Library Visitor Card.

ISU students obtain the ISUCard as part of their registration process. Faculty, professional and scientific (P&S) staff, and merit employees obtain this card through the administrative offices of their departments or colleges. Other individuals affiliated with ISU (categories 3-6 in the table below) are also eligible to obtain this card. For additional information, contact the ISUCard Office at (515) 294-2727.

Individuals in categories 7-10, below, are currently not eligible to receive the ISUCard. They may, however, apply for an ISU Library Visitor Card, which entitles them to borrowing privileges. Residents of the state of Iowa who do not belong to any of the preceding categories may also apply for the ISU Library Visitor Card, as "extramural borrowers" (category 11, below). Applicants in this category should have identifiable research needs that cannot be filled by a local library, by using the ISU collection on-site, or by interlibrary loan. All applicants for the Library Visitor Card should bring a valid form of identification with photo (e.g., driver's license, Non-Driver ID Card, etc.), in person, to the Circulation Desk, 102 Parks Library.

The table below summarizes charges (if any) for the ID card itself, the replacement of a lost card, and the annual fee for maintaining an online patron record. Eligibility and charges are based on university policies. As indicated in the final column of the table, some user categories have remote access to the Library's licensed commercial databases; others do not (based on license restrictions). For additional information, contact the Circulation Desk, 102 Parks Library ((515) 294-3961).