Circulation Services

Visitors may, under some circumstances, be permitted to check materials out of the Libraries. Library cards can be applied for online, at Main Library Service Desk or any university library.  Renewals are possible and can be done online via My Account in InfoHawk+.  Check-out and other policies can be found on the Circulation Policies website and are based on specific borrowing privileges.  Eligible individuals can request a library card if they fall under one of these groups:

Visitors eligible for borrowing privileges similar to faculty:

  • Current and emeritus faculty from a Big Ten Academic Alliance library (authenticating online)
  • Staff at the UI Foundation (showing Staff ID)
  • Professional staff of the state and federal geological surveys, the archeological survey, and the State Historical Society whose offices are located in Iowa City (showing relevant identification)
  • Independent Scholars at the University of Iowa (showing a UI Independent Scholar card)
  • UI sponsored visiting faculty, visiting fellows, residents, research associates, adjunct faculty, and UI fellows (showing relevant identification, such as a letter, from the sponsoring department)
  • Technology Innovation Center (TIC) clients

Visitors eligible for borrowing privileges similar to graduate students:

  • UI sponsored visiting scholars, research associates, scholar affiliates, or other categories (showing relevant identification, such as a letter, from the sponsoring department)
  • Graduate students from a Big Ten Academic Alliance library (authenticating online)

Visitors eligible for borrowing privileges similar to undergraduate students:

  • Participants in UI workshops, institutes, special programs (showing relevant identification, such as a “Special Programs” card)

Visitors eligible for community borrower privileges:

  • Residents of Iowa (showing proof of residency)
  • Spouses and domestic partners of UI faculty, staff, and students (showing an ID card)Iowa Residents (showing proof of residency)
  • Staff at the VA Hospital (showing Staff ID or hospital badge)
  • Friends of the University of Iowa Libraries (showing membership card or receipt)
  • Graduate and undergraduate students from a Regents, private college, or community college in Iowa (showing ID card)
  • Undergraduate students from a Big Ten Academic Alliance library (authenticating online)
  • 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.

Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery Services

Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery services are not available for visitors or community borrowers.  Your local public library offers this service and should be contacted for further information.

Fast TRAC  

FastTRAC is a group of select academic institutions in Iowa that have formed a borrowing network. Patrons from these institutions may check out materials from any institution in this network using their home institution’s ID. While you may choose to visit any of these libraries to check out or return materials, you may also request to have an item delivered to the UI Main Library.

TRAC is an acronym for an informal cooperative called Two Rivers Alma Collaborative. The Collaborative consists of 11 academic libraries, all of who use the library management and discovery systems, Alma and Primo. Member Libraries are: University of Iowa, St. Ambrose University, Drake University, University of Northern Iowa, Allen College, Wartburg College, Hawkeye Community College, Iowa State University, Grand View College, Creighton University, and Grinnell College. At this time, not all libraries in this network are participating in the FastTRAC program. For additional information please email lib-maincirc@uiowa.edu 

Who can use this service?  This service is open to any faculty, staff, or students currently enrolled at any of the institutions listed below.

Library users from:

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

Items borrowed through FastTRAC check out for 120 days at a time and are not renewable. Materials that are more than 30 days overdue may result in a replacement fee, as well as being blocked from using the FastTRAC service until the item is returned.

Overview

Computer Access

Guest ID’s to gain access to computers can be obtained by visiting the help desk of the Main Library Service Desk , Hardin Library’s Information Desk, or any university library.

To print from campus computers, a PrintKey can be purchased from Food for Thought Cafe in the Main Library, EMRB Cafe or Pat’s Diner in the Pappajohn Business Building.

Off-campus access to library databases and resources is not available, due to licensing restrictions.  For further information, please see the Access to Commercial Databases policy and the Appropriate use of Electronic Resources policy.

Policies