GET A CARD

Learn about the different types of cards below. For additional details, please read our Circulation Policy.

City of Dubuque Residents

Any person who resides within the city limits of Dubuque is eligible for a free,An exterior picture of the Carnegie-Stout Public Library full service library card. Full service cards allow you to borrow physical materials, have remote access to the digital library and research databases, place holds, and submit purchase or interlibrary loan requests.

Property Owners

Any person who resides outside the City of Dubuque, but who owns property within the Dubuque city limits, is also eligible for a full service card. Proper identification and proof of tax payment is required on an annual basis. Please apply in person.

Apply Online

Adult residents may Apply Online Here.

Apply In Person

Please visit the New Cards desk on the first floor with a valid photo ID and proof of address (utility bill, recently postmarked mail, voter card). Those age 15 and younger must apply with their parent or guardian present.

Dubuque County Residents

Residents of Dubuque County and Iowans who have a library card from another Iowa library may receive services from the Carnegie-Stout Public Library through Open Access, a statewide reciprocal borrowing program for participating libraries. Proper identification (your library card, a photo ID, and a recent piece of mail) is required to register your card for use at the Carnegie-Stout Public Library. Open Access cardholders can borrow materials from Carnegie-Stout Public Library. Still, they cannot request interlibrary loans and are not eligible for remote access to the digital library and online databases.

Non-Resident Cards

If you are an out-of-state resident or would like to add services to your Open Access Card, you may purchase a Non-Resident Card for $100. A Non-Resident Card allows you to borrow materials and access the digital library and resources for one year. The digital library includes the following (or see https://carnegiestout.org/online-resources/):

  • Consumer Reports
  • EBSCO Host
  • First Search (World Cat)
  • Heritage Quest
  • Home Improvement Reference Center
  • Law Check
  • Novelist
  • Small Business Reference Center
  • Telegraph Herald Digital Archive
  • Des Moines Register (1871-current)
  • Transparent Language
  • Newsbank
  • Proquest Historical Newspapers
  • Reference USA
  • Hoopla
  • Flipster Digital Magazines
  • OverDrive/Libby ebooks, audiobooks, and movies
  • Freegal Music (free digital music downloads)
  • Morningstar Investment Research
  • Kanopy streaming movies
  • And More

Middle and High School students in the Dubuque Community School District are able to use their student ID as a library card to access print and electronic materials at Carnegie-Stout Public Library or the Dubuque County Library District.

Find more information here

Teacher Cards

Teacher Cards are available at no charge to educators working in private or public schools and childcare facilities in the City of Dubuque. Teacher Cards are intended for classroom use only and have an extended loan period of six weeks. No more than 30 books may be checked out at one time. Educators may select their own books or complete a Teacher Request Form and a librarian will compile a collection of books to support the requested curriculum topics. Teacher Cards must be renewed annually.

To receive a Teacher Card you must:

• Bring in your school ID or a letter from the institution principal/director on official stationary dated with current year.
• Complete a Teacher Card application.
• Show a valid photo ID and proof of address.
• Have a photograph taken for your account record.

 

Business & Institutional Cards

Nursing homes, schools, and other institutions that serve City of Dubuque residents are eligible for a free library card. Businesses in the City of Dubuque may also apply for library cards that allow specific employees to borrow materials related to business operations; a list of authorized users must be provided to the library.

The institution administrator, school principal, business manager, or business owner must sign the application and assume responsibility for use of the card. *Please Note: School cards are issued to principals and must be renewed annually.

Out of state institutions or businesses that are not eligible for borrowing privileges may purchase a non-resident institutional card for $175 annually.

 

Guest Cards

The Carnegie-Stout Public Library will issue guest cards for visitors to the Dubuque community. The fee for this card is $10 and is valid for 30 days. Guest Cards are limited to having three items on loan at a time and are not eligible for Interlibrary Loan services.