One of four types of identification is required to check out material from the UI Libraries. All must be currently valid.

University-issued faculty, staff, and student cards

  • A University of Iowa Iowa One Card
  • A University of Iowa Health Care (UIHC) badge

Two Rivers Partner Institution-issued faculty, staff, and student cards

  • Creighton University
  • Drake University
  • Grand View University
  • Hawkeye Community College
  • Iowa State University
  • St. Ambrose University
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Wartburg College

Libraries-issued cards (see explanation below)

Questions about your borrower’s status can be answered at the Main Library Service Desk or the Art Library, Business Library, Engineering Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, Music Library, or Sciences Library during normal business hours.

We strongly recommend against loaning your ID card or your library materials to others. All financial responsibility for library materials rests with the person whose ID card was used to check them out.

If your UI One Card or UIHC Badge is lost or stolen:

Should your university One Card or UI Health Care Badge become lost or stolen, please refer to the Iowa One Card Center’s FAQ’s for instructions.

Libraries-issued cards

Borrower’s permits: Users not affiliated with the university may, under some circumstances, be permitted to check materials out of the Libraries. Application for a borrower’s permit may be made online via the application form, at Main Library Service Desk or any university library.  Borrower’s permits, in most circumstances, will be issued to:

  • Iowa residents showing proof of residency and a picture ID (such as a current Iowa drivers license).
  • Library cards are not granted to individual students participating in group activities. Visiting high school student groups should contact lib-high-school@list.uiowa.edu two to three weeks in advance of a visit for assistance with class assignments.
  • Students enrolled in an Iowa school showing proof of residency and a picture ID can apply for a borrowers permit. If the student is unable to present a picture ID and proof of residency, the parent/guardian may provide documentation in their place.
  • Faculty members and students showing a current faculty/student ID card from community and private colleges in Iowa (e.g., Kirkwood Community College, Mt. Mercy College, Coe College, or Cornell College)
  • Faculty members and graduate students from a Big Ten Academic Alliance University authenticating online: University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Northwestern University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Undergraduate students from a Big Ten Academic Alliance University authenticating online: University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Indiana University, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Northwestern University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Spouses and domestic partners of UI faculty, staff, and students. If they are not an Iowa resident, show a spouse and domestic partner ID card.
  • Independent Scholars at the University of Iowa, including Technology Innovation (TIC) clients, showing a white plastic UI Independent Scholar card.
  • Participants in UI workshops, institutes, or special programs showing a white plastic “Special Programs” card.
  • Staff of the UI Foundation and the VA Hospital showing a UI staff ID card noting “Foundation” or a VA Hospital badge.
  • UI fellows, post-doctoral fellows, visiting faculty, visiting fellows, residents, research associates, adjunct faculty, Saturday and evening class teachers, UI-sponsored visiting scholars, scholar affiliates, graduate fellows, and participants in the Iowa Critical Language Program showing relevant identification of affiliation with the University of Iowa, such as a letter from the sponsoring department.
  • Professional staff members of the state and federal geological surveys, the archaeological survey, and the State Historical Society whose offices are located in Iowa City showing relevant identification.
  • Users not eligible based on the previously listed criteria may apply for a borrower’s permit by providing a receipt showing a gift to the Friends of the Libraries.

Lost or stolen Libraries-issued cards: If your paper barcoded UI Libraries card is lost, stolen, or mutilated, please report this as soon as possible to the issuing library or to Main Library Circulation Services. A new card can be issued and all activity blocked on your old card.