Who May Borrow?

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 are also eligible to obtain this card. For additional information, contact the ISUCard Office at 515 294-2727.

ISU Distance Learning students might not receive a physical ISUCard, but do receive an ISU ID number that can be used for off-campus login to Library indexes, journal articles, and other resources. For Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery of materials, the ISU Net-ID should be used for login to ILLiad.

Others (as shown below) may apply for an ISU Library Visitor Card, which entitles them to borrowing privileges. Extramural borrowers are residents of the state of Iowa who do not belong to any of the preceding categories. 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 Main Desk, 102 Parks Library.

The information 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. 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 Main Desk, 102 Parks Library (515 294-3961), email circdesk@iastate.edu.

For more detailed information regarding loan periods, overdue fines, lost item charges, etc., see the complete ISU Library Lending Policy.

Users eligible to obtain the University's ISUCard

ISU student (currently enrolled)

First card: $0; Lost card: $25; Annual fee: $0;
Remote database access: Yes

ISU faculty/staff/post-doc (currently on payroll)

First card: $0; Lost card: One free each fiscal year; Annual fee: $0;
Remote database access: Yes

Visiting faculty/scholars (working with an ISU dept./office)

First card: $15; Lost card: $25; Annual fee: $15;
Remote database access: Yes

Affiliated staff & departmental collaborators (not on ISU payroll)

Ames Laboratory (Administrative and P&S)
USDA Collaborators
ISU Research Park
ISU Foundation
ISU Center

First card: $15; Lost card: $25; Annual fee: $15;

Spouse or dependent (18 or older) of currently enrolled ISU student,
or of currently employed ISU faculty/staff, or of retired ISU faculty/staff

First card: $15; Lost card: $25; Annual fee: $15;
Remote database access: No

Users eligible to obtain ISU Library Visitor Card

ISU alumni or member of the ISU Alumni Association; member of the ISU Library Friends Association;

First card: $5; Lost card: $20; Annual fee: $0;
Remote database access: No

OCLC Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program