Policies & Fees

Purpose

The purpose of the Circulation Policy is to define approved practices for the registration of library patrons, circulation of library materials, a fines and fees schedule, and the suspension of library privileges.

Who Can Get a Library Card

• Residents of Iowa
  • Must live or pay property taxes in Iowa.
  • Provide proof of address – Photo ID (valid Iowa Driver’s License or non-driver ID, Military ID, US Passport), School ID if high-school age or younger
  • May apply in person, by mail, or online
• Employees of State of Iowa
  • Provide proof of address – Photo ID (valid Iowa Driver’s License or non-driver ID, Military ID, US Passport)
  • Must provide State ID verification

Types of Cards

• Individual: allows access to State Library’s collection, reference assistance, and online resources.
• State Employee: same as an individual, plus allows requests for materials via interlibrary loan; may have items delivered.

Library Card Renewal

Library cards expire regularly.

Loan Periods

Materials marked for circulating check out for three weeks and may be renewed once if there are no holds on the item. Renewals may be done online through the library’s catalog.

Holding materials

Library materials may be placed on hold with your library card through the online catalog. Patrons will be contacted by email and the material will be held for 5 days.

Suspension of Library Privileges

Library privileges will be suspended or cancelled when:

• The library card has expired
• Patron has outstanding debt to the State Library

Confidentiality of Patron Records

The State of Iowa has deemed patron records to be confidential as cited in Chapter 22.7 of the Code of Iowa. The State Librarian is the custodian of records.

Approved by the Iowa Commision of Libraries March 7, 2018

The State Library offers access to the internet to enhance the library's collections of information resources and is intended for the educational and informational use of library customers. Internet access is offered through public computers and free Wi-Fi in the Law Library. The full Internet Use Policy for the State Library is located in Iowa Administrative Code Section 286, Chapter 7.

Read 286 IAC 7

Photography Policy

Photography in the Law Library is allowed during open hours from within the accessible visitor space. Photographers should be aware of others working withing the space and minimize disruptions. Furniture may not be moved. 

Special Events Policy

During open hours, the library is a public workspace and destination for visitors. The Law Library is not available to reserve for private events. Requests to access the Law Library after hours will not be granted.

This policy applies to the Forrest Spaulding Conference Room #310 in the Miller Building.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the State Library meeting room is the facilitation of library-related activities and activities of other building occupants. When the room is not being used for these purposes, it will be available to other users on a first come, first served basis.

Availability of the room will be determined by State Library staff. The State Library reserves the right to cancel reservations when circumstances warrant; cancellations will not be made without prior notification.

Hours

Meeting room is available during library hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., except state holidays.

Scheduling

Requests for the use of a meeting room must be submitted to the State Library scheduler by filling out the online reservation request form. 

Meeting room use intended for one-time events or for brief series of meetings. Users may request a maximum of three separate events at any one time, and a maximum of five consecutive days in any one month. The meeting rooms are not intended for long-term training or semester-long classes.

Equipment & Technology

Teleconferencing and presentation technology are integrated into the room, including monitors on all walls, built-in cameras and microphones, and a Clickshare dongle or HDMI cable to connect to a laptop or device. Users must provide their own laptops or devices that are compatible with Clickshare in order to use the integrated room technology. A provided HDMI cable may be connected for video only presentations that do not require the room's cameras or microphones.

Room Use

• Users may not move or rearrange the tables and chairs. Post-it notes and self-adhesive flip chart paper may be attached to the walls, other types of adhesive are not allowed. The user is responsible for leaving the meeting room in good order, and is financially responsible for any damage to or loss of library property.
• The user is responsible for ensuring that the scheduled meeting or activity does not disturb State Library customers or other building occupants, interfere with work-related activities of staff, or interfere with the continuing conduct of state agency business.
• Food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in the meeting room. All refreshments (including coffee and condiments) are to be provided by the user. Users must clean up the room and discard their own trash.
• Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the Capitol Complex.
• Users must comply with posted fire regulations.

Other

The State Library is not responsible for theft or damage of personal items occurring in connection with use of the meeting rooms.

Permission to use the meeting room does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, the purpose(s) or the expression of any individual or organization by the Iowa Commission of Libraries, State Library, or its staff.

Statement of Policy

The State Library of Iowa complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336 (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The ADA requires that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of a disability, be denied the benefits of government services, programs, or activities.

Accordingly, the State Library of Iowa will:

• Take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with applicants, participants, and members of the public with disabilities are as effective as communications with others.
• Make reasonable accommodations in policies, practices, or procedures when necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless a fundamental alteration in a local government program would result.
• Operate its programs so that, when viewed in their entirety, they are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

How to Request Reasonable Accommodations

Persons who need an accommodation in order to receive the benefits of a State Library of Iowa service, program, or activity should submit the information below via email at information.services@iowa.gov or mail to State Library of Iowa, Attn: Library Administration, 1112 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa, 50319, or call 800-248-4483.

Reasonable Accommodation Request Information

• Full Name
• E-Mail Address  
• Address including City, State, and Zip
• Phone Number  
• Description of the service, program, or activity this request concerns
• Date accommodation needed (if applicable)
• Accommodation requested (please be specific about how State Library staff can accommodate you so that you may access our services.)
• Type or sign your name as a digital signature.  
• Any additional comments

Grievance Procedure

Persons who believe they have been discriminated against based on their disability should file a complaint to the State Library Administration by providing the information below and submitting via email to information.services@iowa.gov or by mail to State Library of Iowa, Attn: Library Administration, 1112 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa, 50319. 

ADA Grievance Service Delivery Discrimination Complaint Information

• Full Name
• E-Mail Address  
• Address including City, State, and Zip
• Phone Number  
• Name of unit and/or employee against whom the complaint is filed.
• Description of the action or treatment which you think was discriminatory. Include information about who, what, when, where, how, why, and the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses, if you know them.
• Description of the relief or satisfaction you want from the State Library (please be as detailed as possible). 
• Type or sign your name as a digital signature.  
• Any additional comments

Individuals may also file an administrative complaint with the U.S. Equal Opportunities Commission (E.E.O.C.) within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination or may file a lawsuit for injunctive relief and damages. Any or all of these methods may be pursued at the same time. Individuals are protected from retaliation or coercion when pursuing their rights or responsibilities under the ADA.

Appeal Process

If not satisfied with the response of the Library Administration, you may appeal to the Iowa Commission of Libraries. If still not satisfied, you may file your complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Disabilities Rights Section NYAV, Washington, D.C.  20530 or call 202-514-3847 (Voice) or 202-305-1435 (TTY).

The State Library provides copy and reproduction services for physical materials in the collections when physical condition and copyright permits. 

The State Library will not send materials that exceed standard shipping rates. 

Requests for copies or scans of materials may be requested in person at the library or by emailing General Reference or the Law Library. 

Remote requests for scanning are required to provide billing information to be able to accurately process the request. In-library requests will be required to pay upon delivery of the scanned materials or by setting up a billing account in the State Library's print management system.

*Items that have been checked out for use outside of the library and become lost, unreturned, or damaged may incur replacement costs up to $100. Replacement copies will not be accepted.

Library privileges will be suspended or canceled when a patron has outstanding debt to the library.

The State Law Library will provide access to legal resources by mail correspondence. The requests will only be accepted when received directly from the institutionalized individual. Refer to the fees for copying in the Information Access Requests section above.