Library Cards

Register for an Urbandale Library Card

Standard cards are free of charge if you:

• Live in Urbandale or an Open Access* contracting city in Iowa.

• Provide proof of current address, date of birth, and show photo ID.
• Are 5 years of age or older – Parent/guardian must sign the library card for children under age 14.

Computer use only cards and subscription cards are also available. Please review our Library Cards Policy for more details.

*Open Access is a program through the State Library of Iowa that allows residents of contracting cities to obtain a library card and check out material for free from 600+ participating Iowa public and academic libraries. Many cities across Iowa are a part of this program. If you would like to check to see if your city falls under the Open Access contract give us a call at (515) 278-3945.

• Check-out – You must present your card (or photo ID) to borrow materials.
• Card renewals – Your library card is valid for three years. In order to renew, you will need to confirm your contact information. Patrons with expired cards will need to present proof of address.
• Lost card – Notify the library if your card is lost, stolen, or found.
• Responsibility – You are responsible for all fees and materials checked out with your library card. Parents and legal guardians are financially responsible for the use of cards issued to children under 18 years of age.
• Renewing – Materials may be renewed twice online, by phone, or in-person unless the item is on hold for another customer.
• Returning – Items should be placed in the book returns in the lobby, the 24-hour drive-up book return located at the north end of the library building, or outside Webster Elementary School (12955 Aurora Avenue).
• Overdue – You will be restricted from borrowing materials if your fees reach $15.00, or if materials are more than 6 weeks overdue.
• Confidentiality – Your UPL customer information and circulation records are confidential.

Click here to watch a brief tutorial on managing your library account.

Physical Materials 

• Reference materials and newspapers - in-house use only
• Video games, fiction Blu-rays, fiction DVDs, and Playaway Launchpads - 7 days
• Book club kits - 56 days
• Other materials - 21 days

Digital Materials 

• Overdrive / Libby - 14 days
• Hoopla
  • Video - 3 days
  • Music - 7 days
  • Other materials - 21 days

Equipment

• Laptop - in-house use only
• Other equipment - 21 days 

Most items can be renewed twice. Renewal loan periods are the same length as the original loan period. See our Borrowing Materials Policy for more details.

Physical Materials

• Book club kits - 2
• Video games - 10
• Fiction Blu-rays and fiction DVDs - 50 total
• Other materials - no limit

Digital Materials

• Overdrive / Libby - 5
• Hoopla - 6 per month

Equipment

• All equipment - 3 total

See our Borrowing Materials Policy for more details.

Library material returns are located in the Library’s lobby and available 24/7 through our drive-up book drop on the north end of the building.

Can’t make it to the Library to return your materials? No problem! You can return materials 24/7 to our off-site book return outside Webster Elementary School (12955 Aurora) on the city’s west side. (Click here for more information about our off-site book return.)

You are responsible for all items until they are checked in.

As the library card holder, you are responsible for returning materials by the due date and for any fees on items checked out on your card. Overdue fees are charged for each day the Library is open. If your fees exceed $14.99, you will not be allowed to borrow any library materials.

For more information about renewing materials, reserving materials, overdue materials, fees, lost items, or damaged materials, please refer to our Borrowing Materials Policy.

Click here for a brief tutorial on managing your library account.

Need to pay a fine or other fees? Fines and other payments may be paid:

• In-person with a credit card, cash, or check. (Credit card payments incur an additional fee of 3.95%.)
• Online with a credit card by logging into your account on our website.
• By phone with a credit card during regular phone hours. (Phone payments will incur an additional fee of 3.95%.)
• By mail. Please mail a check to:
  
  Attn: Patron Experience Department
  Urbandale Public Library
  3520 86th St
  Urbandale, IA 50322