Iowa Regents Institutions

Students, staff, and faculty from the three Regents universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State University in Ames and the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls) have reciprocal borrowing privileges. Anyone from the three institutions may borrow materials, as if they were affiliated with the other institutions. University of Iowa students, staff or faculty wishing to borrow material from one of the other Regents institution libraries need only present their ID card at the other institution’s service desk.  It is the responsibility of the borrower to see that materials are returned to the appropriate library on time.

Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program (Big Ten Academic Alliance) Institutions
Reciprocal Faculty Borrowing Program (OCLC/ARL) Institutions

Emeritus and current faculty at all Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions (University of Chicago, University of Illinois – Urbana, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, and University of Wisconsin-Madison) can authenticate to obtain a borrower’s permit. A similar program is available a through collaborative project between OCLC (a library company) and members of the Association of Research Libraries. A membership list of participating libraries can be found at http://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/membership/Reciprocal-Faculty-Borrowing-Program.pdf. Both programs entitle users from participating libraries privileges at other participating Big Ten Academic Alliance or OCLC institutions.  Your institution ID and authenticating will usually also be required before a library card for the lending library is issued.

As part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance agreement, each institution has determined its local loan periods with the general goal of having a uniform policy at all Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions. At ARL institutions (there is some overlap between the two programs) each institution decides what services they will offer visiting faculty. UI faculty should remember that participation in these programs is a privilege and not a right. Failure to comply with the lending institutions policies will result in penalties in accord with each institution’s own faculty loan policies. Questions can be directed to Circulation Services, 319-335-6077, lib-maincirc@uiowa.edu.

Reciprocal Student Borrowing Program (Big Ten Academic Alliance) Institutions
Graduate students, post-baccalaureate professional students, and undergraduate students at all Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions (University of Chicago, University of Illinois – Urbana, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Northwestern University, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, and University of Wisconsin-Madison) can obtain a borrower’s permit for circulation privileges.

As part of the Big Ten Academic Alliance agreement, each institution has determined its local loan periods with the general goal of having a uniform policy at all Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions. UI Students should remember that participation in these programs is a privilege and not a right. Failure to comply with the lending institutions policies will result in penalties in accord with each institution’s own student loan policies. Questions can be directed to Circulation Services, 335-6077, lib-maincirc@uiowa.edu.

On-Site Access to non UI Institutions (excluding the Iowa Regents institutions and the Big Ten Academic Alliance)

At this time there are no other reciprocal borrowing agreements for University of Iowa faculty, professional and scientific staff, or students. Nevertheless, many libraries do offer borrowing privileges to the public free or for a fee. Check with any library you plan to visit for further information about borrowing privileges for non-affiliated persons. University of Iowa public service staff (Reference and Interlibrary Loan staff in particular) will be happy to help you gather this type of information if it is available. Remember that it is frequently possible to borrow materials on Interlibrary Loan.

Contact Information

For further information, contact the Main Library Circulation Services at 335-6077 or lib-maincirc@uiowa.edu.