How to Get a Library Card Library cards are issued immediately if you have photo identification and proof of current residential address at the time of application. A Post Office box is not sufficient address. Mail may be used as proof of address if it has been postmarked within two weeks of the current date. Persons eligible for temporary cards must provide their temporary local address and their permanent residence address.

Who is eligible for service?

• Residents of Iowa City
• Persons owning property in Iowa City
• Residents who live or own property in areas covered by contracts for library service: unincorporated (rural) Johnson County and the cities of Hills and University Heights
• Persons living within the service area of an Iowa library approved for reciprocal borrowing through the Open Access Program. Nearby Open Access libraries include Coralville, Kalona, Lone Tree, North Liberty, Oxford, Solon, Tiffin, and West Branch. Check at the Library Cards Desk for a full listing of participating libraries.
• Persons without a permanent address in this service area and who will be here less than six weeks are eligible for temporary cards. Temporary borrowers may have only two items checked out at a time.

Passwords/PINs (Personal Identification Numbers)

Once you have received your library card, you may assign yourself a password for additional library privileges such as placing your own holds, renewing your checked out materials, and accessing online subscription databases from outside the Library. (Some databases are available only to Iowa City residents and those covered by contracts for library service: rural Johnson County, Hills, and University Heights residents.)

You can assign your password at any catalog terminal in the Library, or from your home or office computer via the Library's website. Assign yourself a password by going to "Login to your Account" in the catalog. You will be prompted to enter the number on your library card, and then a password. The password may be letters and/or numbers, and must be less than thirty characters long. If you forget your password, go to the Library Cards Desk for assistance.