General (12)

The Library’s address is 360 W. 11th Street in Dubuque, Iowa. It is at the intersection of 11th Street and Locust Street as well as the intersection of 11th Street and Bluff Street.

Category: General

The library is tax-supported and 97% of its funding comes from the City of Dubuque. A smaller portion of the budget is from the State of Iowa. Other income is derived from library fees, merchandise sales, grants, gifts, and contracted library service to other communities. The library receives no federal money.

Category: General

You can pay your fees at the library during regular hours or pay online.

Category: General

Library policies are available on the web site. Paper copies of one or more policies are available inside the Library for a cost of 10 cents per page. Please inquire at the Adult Information Desk. View Policies

Category: General

The mission of the Carnegie-Stout Public Library is to enrich lives through experiences and resources that encourage discovery.  Learn more.

Category: General

Your PIN is usually the last four digits of your phone number.

Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday,  12 to 5 p.m.

Holidays Closings:

  • January 1, New Year’s Day
  • Third Monday of January, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
  • Easter Sunday
  • Sunday before Memorial Day
  • Memorial Day
  • June 19, Juneteenth Day
  • July 3 (library closes early at 5 p.m.)
  • July 4, Independence Day
  • Sunday before Labor Day
  • Labor Day
  • Staff Development Day **TBA**
  • November 11, Veteran’s Day
  • Day before Thanksgiving (library closes early at 5 p.m.)
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day After Thanksgiving
  • December 24, Christmas Eve
  • December 25, Christmas Day
  • December 31, New Year’s Eve
Category: General

Contact the Library at 589-4225 and ask for the Reference Desk. Email us a question…

Category: General

Applications can be picked up at the Library or at City Hall in the Personnel Department (50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, IA 52001.) Access an online application…

Category: General

Due to limited space, the bulletin board is used for announcements of Library Board of Trustees meetings and City of Dubuque meetings. When space allows we invite postings that support not-for-profit community activities. Please submit your poster or notice to the Adult Services Manager for consideration.

Category: General

The library accepts gifts of material to be added to the collection if it fits within the scope of the Materials Selection Policy. If the material cannot be added to the collection, it will be given to the Friends of the Library for their semi-annual used book sale. The library will not accept materials which are not outright gifts. The library does reserve the right to dispose of gift materials if necessary. The library cannot provide donors with a gift value for tax purposes, but it can provide the donor with a letter that lists the items donated.

Category: General

Library Cards (12)

Please visit the New Cards desk on the first floor. You will need a valid photo ID and proof of address (recent piece of mail, utility bill, or voter card).

City of Dubuque residents age 18+ may also apply online.

Category: Library Cards

Your PIN is usually the last four digits of your phone number.

The Carnegie-Stout Public Library has partnered with the Cascade Public Library, the Dubuque County Library, and the James Kennedy Public Library in Dyersville to form an Agency with the goal of providing library service to residents of Dubuque County who are not eligible for borrowing privileges from these libraries (typically other towns in the County without a library.) The residents of those communities contracting with the Agency will have full privileges at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library. Towns in Dubuque County currently contracting for library service include: Balltown, Centralia, Luxemburg, and Rickardsville. Effective January 1, 2020.

Category: Library Cards

The Carnegie-Stout Public Library will issue guest cards for visitors to the community. The fee for this card is $10 and it will be valid for 30 days. Guest cards are limited to having a total of three items on loan at a time.

Category: Library Cards

Immediately report this to the library so that service to the card can be stopped. The borrower is responsible for all activity on the card until it is reported as lost. Visit the Circulation Desk or call 563-589-4225 to report your lost card.

Category: Library Cards

If you are an out-of-state resident, you may purchase a non-resident card at a Silver, Gold, or Platinum level.
For more information, please see “Open Access & Non-Resident Cards” on the Get A Card page.

Category: Library Cards

No. You will need to talk with your city government to express your interest in library use and ask them to contract for library service.

Category: Library Cards

If you live in the State of Iowa and are a member of a library that participates in the statewide reciprocal borrowing program called Open Access you are eligible for a library card at Carnegie-Stout Public Library.

For more information, please see “Open Access & Non-Resident Cards” on the Get A Card page.

Category: Library Cards

Library cards are free!
Staff may ask for a $1 donation, but this is not required to get a library card. Replacement cards cost $2.

Category: Library Cards

Stop at the Circulation desk, or telephone the Library at 589-4225.

Category: Library Cards

A library card will be issued for a child under the age of 16 when a parent or guardian has signed a “statement of responsibility” card and proof of residency has been established. Guardians may be asked to provide documentation of guardianship and the child must be present.

Category: Library Cards

Any person who resides in the City of Dubuque will be issued a library card with proper identification (driver’s license or birth certificate with social security card) and proof of address (voting card, utility bill, recently postmarked mail, or a check with address imprinted on it).

If you do not have proof of address, we will mail you a postcard to bring in as proof of address. The library does not accept post office boxes, or student/campus mail boxes when applying for a card.

Businesses and institutions in the City of Dubuque are also eligible, please visit Get A Card for more information.

Category: Library Cards

Checking Out (16)

Circulation desk or at the Self-Serve Hold shelf between the Check Out Desk and the Children’s area.

Category: Checking Out

Pick up ILL material at the Circulation desk.

Category: Checking Out

The Reference or Recommendations Desk. This service is not available to new library members for 90 days, temporary residents, those holding guest cards, or Open Access patrons.

Category: Checking Out

TeleCirc is an automated telephone system that can renew books, let you know when an item is waiting for you or tell you what items you have checked out. You can reach TeleCirc by calling 563-589-0887. If you would like to renew material, have the items in front of you when you call, as well as your library card, and follow the prompts on the telephone. Please contact Circulation Services for a more in-depth explanation at 563-589-4225.

Category: Checking Out

Your PIN is usually the last four digits of your phone number.

When you apply for your library card you will be asked if you prefer to be notified by mail, telephone, email, or text message. You can change the method by which you are notified at any time by calling the Library at 589-4225.

Category: Checking Out

Most items can be renewed twice, unless noted otherwise on the material (e.g. children’s holiday books) or an item has a wait list.

After the second renewal by the same cardholder the item(s) must stay in the library for a period of 24 hours before that same cardholder can check the item(s) out again.

Category: Checking Out

Borrowers may have a total of 100 items checked out at a time, with the exception of new card holders who will have a limit of 3 (three) items checked out at a time, temporary residents who will have a limit of 1 (one) item checked out at a time and guest card holders who will have a limit of 3 (three) items checked out total for period of time the card is valid.
In order to maximize access to some small collections in the Library, each borrower is limited to ten (10) DVDs, two (2) “Books To Go” and two (2) “DVDs To Go.” Borrowers may have a total of three (3) Interlibrary Loan items on their account at a time.

Category: Checking Out

Magazines, children’s holiday books, and “Books to Go” have a seven-day checkout period. DVDs have a three-day checkout period. All other materials are checked out for three weeks.

Category: Checking Out

The library has gone fine free; however, your account will be locked if you have items that are seven or more days past due.

Category: Checking Out

No, you don’t need to visit the library to renew an item. You can easily renew eligible items by logging into your online account

You may also use your telephone to reach the automated TeleCirc system by calling 563-589-0887 and following the prompts, or you can call Circulation at 563-589-4225.

Category: Checking Out

This depends on the loaning library. Telephone the Library at 589-4225 and ask to speak with the interlibrary loan librarian who can assist with this request.

Category: Checking Out

No.

Category: Checking Out

Yes. You may return materials 24/7 at the library main entrance drop box, the drive-up drop box on the Bluff Street side of the library, and the drop box in the Asbury Hy-Vee parking lot at Asbury Plaza. You may also return materials at the drop box located inside the Kennedy Mall at the Information Desk during regular mall hours.

Category: Checking Out

Yes, you can renew most items two times. Exceptions include Children’s 7-day holiday books and any item that has a wait list.

Category: Checking Out

Yes, you can do this from the Library’s web site, www.dubuque.lib.ia.us, by following the link to the Library’s catalog, or you can telephone the Library at 589-4225.

Category: Checking Out

Digital Materials (2)

Contact the Library at 589-4225. Library Staff can determine if the cause is card related, or technology related.

Category: Digital Materials

Downloadable materials are digital versions of books, music, and magazines that you can check out and read or listen to on your smartphone, tablet or computer. The library also has mini iPads available for check out from the Maker Space.

Category: Digital Materials

Lost or Damaged Items (2)

If you believe you have already returned an item that still appears as being checked out to you, the transaction is given a “Claims Returned” status. The library will search for the item, and you will be encouraged to keep searching for the item at home.
If the item is found at the library, the record is cleared. If someone else brings the item to checkout, the record is cleared. However, if the item is still not found after sixty (60) days, you will be charged for the lost materials.

Visit the Circulation Desk or contact the library at 589-4225 to report this. Cost to repair or replace the item can be discussed.

Internet Computers at the Library (3)

The library has laptop computers available for use inside the building to adults and teens. Please visit the second floor computer help desk.

Mini iPads are also available for check out. Please visit the Maker Space on the second floor.

Yes, the library has free wireless access available to the public throughout the building and in the immediate vicinity outside the building.

Yes, with proper identification, computers for internet use are available to those ages 13+ on the second floor.
Those ages 13-17 may also use internet computers in the Teen Zone located on the first floor.
The Children’s Department, also located on the first floor, has computers available for children under the age of 13.

How the Library Operates (3)

Find members and more information on the “Board of Trustees” tab on the About Us page.

Staff at the Recommendations Desk can offer suggestions on what you might like to read, listen to, or watch based on your interests and preferences. Please visit the Recommendations Desk (located on the first floor) to inquire or complete a Book Match form.

Currently, library board trustee members serve four year terms. When a position becomes vacant any Dubuque resident who is 18 years or older is eligible to serve. Nomination papers are available from the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall (13th Street, Dubuque). A person can be nominated, or nominate themselves. Library board members are then appointed by the Mayor with City Council approval.

Suggestions for Purchase (2)

If you request to reserve the item you will be notified when it is available.

Yes, Dubuque resident cardholders may do so in person at the Children’s Help Desk, Reference Desk, or Recommendations Desk or by logging in to their online account and clicking on “your purchase suggestions” to submit a request.

Other Services (5)

Yes, electric typewriters are available on the second floor.

Category: Other Services

Yes, the library provides this service at no charge during regular hours Monday through Friday. Please call 563-589-4225 and ask for Administration.

Category: Other Services

Yes, the fax number is 563-589-4306.

  • The cost for a local or toll-free number is $.25 per page.
  • The cost for a long-distance number is $1 for the first page and $.50 for each additional page.
  • Receiving a fax is $.25 per page.

The library is unable to fax to an international number. Please visit the Circulation Desk for assistance with faxes or call 563-589-4225 for more information.

Category: Other Services

Yes, the cost for 8.5 x 11 black and white copies is $.10 (ten cents) per page and $.50 (fifty cents) per page for color copies.

Category: Other Services

Yes, you can find more information about meeting rooms and space rentals here.

Category: Other Services

Volunteers (3)

The Friends of the Library is a non-profit (501-C-3) organization that is separate from the library. The Friends of the Library help raise funds to supplement the library budget in support of programs, materials, new technology, and equipment.

The Friends raise money through book sales and membership fees. Membership fees start at $5. Learn more.

Category: Volunteers

Yes! Please visit our volunteer information page or call 563-589-4225, ext. 4243 for more information.

Category: Volunteers

Yes, membership is open to all. Please call 563-589-4225, ext. 4313 for more information.

Category: Volunteers

Parking and Bus Service (3)

There is a new stop right in front of the library on Locust St. A complete bus schedule is available here.

At any metered parking surrounding the library, or in the public parking lot across the library on Bluff Street (which is also metered.)

Free parking around the library is limited. If you don’t mind walking 3 or 4 blocks, parking is free on the northern part of Bluff Street, (just north of 13th Street)

Off Site Services (1)

No. BUT you can return materials and choose to pick-up your holds at the Kennedy Mall Information Desk or the Dubuque County Library Asbury Branch.

Category: Off Site Services

History of the Library (1)

The library was built in 1902. This was made possible by a grant from Andrew Carnegie for the building and the gift of land from Frank Stout in memory of his father Henry Stout. The public library was named after these two benefactors.
In 1929, the library board purchased the property (the former Masonic Temple) adjoining the library in anticipation of future growth. The library was expanded to include that property in 1981.
In December 2008, the library embarked on a total renovation of the facility. The renovation was completed in September 2010.