GET A LIBRARY CARD

Your Library card connects you to a world of resources. Register for a card by visiting us in person or by starting the process online. To complete an application online, visit the online catalog by clicking here. In the top right corner of the page, click Sign Up. Complete and submit the form for approval. Proof of residency is required for all online and in person applications.

Access to the Library resources is based on your property. Below is a basic description of each patron card type and the borrowing power associated with each card type.

• La Porte City Residents: anyone residing or owning property within the City limits of La Porte City 

• Rural Black Hawk County Residents: anyone residing or owning property inside the Black Hawk County lines, excluding everyone living within city limits

• Nonresidents: anyone residing in the State of Iowa, excluding anyone living within La Porte City and rural Black Hawk County

• Provisional Residents: card applications who have unconfirmed addresses as well as temporary borrowers defined on a case-by-case basis

Borrowing limits extend to material types as well as member types. Below are the borrowing limits based on the item. Per contract with the State Library of Iowa, our digital consortium—called Bridges eLibrary—is only available to La Porte City and Rural Black Hawk County Residents. Patrons may borrow up to five digital items simultaneously, excluding periodicals, which have no limit.

• La Porte City Residents

  1. 1. Library of Things: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 10 items at once

     2. Physical Books: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 50 items at once

     3. Physical Media: three weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 100 items at once

• Rural Black Hawk County Residents

  1. 1. Library of Things: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 10 items at once

     2. Physical Books: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 50 items at once

     3. Physical Media: three weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 100 items at once

• Nonresidents

  1. 1. Library of Things: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 5 items at once

     2. Physical Books: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 25 items at once

     3. Physical Media: three weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 50 items at once

• Provisional Residents

  1. 1. Library of Things: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 2 items at once

     2. Physical Books: two weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 10 items at once

     3. Physical Media: three weeks with two automatic renewals with up to 10 items at once

Materials are automatically renewed two times. Additional renewals must be made in person or over the phone. Items may not be renewed if they are reserved for another patron.

Anyone residing or owning property in the State of Iowa who are 18 years of age and older must apply for their own Library card. Proof of current residential address and proof of identity are required.

• • • Acceptable Proof of Address

      • • State issued photo ID (if the address is current, this is all you need)

        • Mail postmarked within 30 days of the current date

        • Utility bills

        • Bank statements

    • Acceptable Proof of Identification

      • • State issued photo ID

        • Passport

        • School IDs

        • Other government issued IDs

We highly recommend that all family members obtain their own cards. This allows each member of a family to have easier access to services and resources, plus it ensures you each access your fair share of resources up to the limit of each card.

Residents of La Porte City who are under the age of 13 must have a parental signature to obtain a Library card. Full rights are held by the parent until the child is able to obtain their own card at the age of 13 without parent signature.

• Access our wireless network on your personal devices

• Use our computers

• Read materials when visiting the Library

• Attend most events and participate in most activities