Your Library Card is FREE! You may use it at all PrairieCat Libraries and at participating "Open Access" Iowa libraries. There is a $3 charge for a replacement card. Your card will expire in 3 years and can easily be updated by visiting a Scott County Library.
How to Get a Library Card. Fill out an application at any Scott County Library or online. The information on your application is confidential and is protected by Section 22.7(13) of the Code of Iowa and the Library's Confidentiality Policy and Privacy Policy.
Lost or Stolen Cards. If your library card is lost or stolen, immediately contact the Library at 563-285-4794 ext 226 so that unauthorized use of your card can be prevented.
Change in Address, Phone Number, or Moving. Please contact the Library at 563-285-4794 ext 226 immediately when there is a change in your name, address, or phone number.
Your Responsibility. You are responsible for all materials checked out on your library card and for fines and charges accrued.
Who Can Get a Scott County Library Card. All residents of Rural Scott County. Children under the age of 14 must have a parent or legal guardian co-sign their card application. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for all overdues, fines, and bills accrued on a minor's library card.
Valid ID All applicants must provide a valid identification verifying their address. Adults may obtain a card by providing valid ID that verifies their name and current street address. Children's applications must be co-signed by a parent or legal guardian showing valid ID. Identification that includes your current address is acceptable, including the following:
Iowa Driver's License
Iowa State ID
Voter's Registration Card
Imprinted checks
Pre-printed lease agreement
First-class mail in an envelope postmarked within the last 30 days,
along with ID that verifies the name.
Checking Out Materials. You must have your library card with you to check out library materials. You will receive a receipt showing the title of each of the items you've checked out and the date they are due.
Library materials check out for 3 weeks and there is no limit to the number of items you can have checked out.
Returning Library Materials. Library materials should be returned on the date they are due or earlier. The fine for overdue items at the Scott County Libraries is 10¢ per item per day. Please check the due date on your receipt as other libraries may have shorter loan periods. Materials may be returned at any PrairieCat Library
Reciprocal Borrowing. Your library card gives you access to materials at over 200 PrairieCat libraries. If you borrow materials from libraries other than Scott County Library System, you must abide by their loan periods and policies, which may differ from Scott County Library's loan periods and policies.
Interlibrary loan is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library outside of PrairieCat. Libraries recognize that the sharing of material between libraries is an integral element in the provision of library service and believe it to be in the public interest to encourage such an exchange. In the interest of providing quality service, libraries have an obligation to obtain material to meet the informational needs of users when local resources do not meet those needs. Interlibrary loan (ILL), a mechanism for obtaining material, is essential to the vitality of all libraries. Scott County Library card holders may request an item on Interlibrary Loan (ILL) by contacting the Library's Interlibrary Loan Desk at 563-285-4794 ext. 230 or filling out an ILL form at any Scott County Library System branch.
Direct Access to Your Library Account. You can place holds, access your account, and use our terrific online research databases. Log in either by typing in your library barcode number. When using our catalog to place holds or view your account you will be asked for both your barcode number and PIN. When you first get a library card, your PIN is the last 4 digits of your library barcode number. You can change your PIN from the PrairieCat catalog of you wish so that no one else can access your account.
Renewing Books & Other Library Materials
Most materials may be renewed at the end of the initial checkout period for an additional 3 weeks, if no one else has reserved them. The limit is one (1) renewal per item. You may renew books & other library materials in the following ways:
Online: Access your library account online through our PrairieCat catalog and choose “Renew My Materials”
At the Library: Renew materials at the Check Out Desk at any of our branches
By Phone: Call 1-888-542-7259 to renew your items through our automated system
Fines for Overdue Materials. Scott County Library materials not returned or renewed by the end of the loan period are considered overdue and subject to a fine of $0.10 per item per day, to a maximum fine of $5 per item. Cards with over $5.00 in accrued fines and bills are stopped until the account is reconciled below the $5 limit.
Overdue Notice and Billing Notices. An overdue notice is sent to the cardholder approximately 10 days after an item is considered overdue. Approximately four weeks later, a bill notice is sent, listing the replacement cost of the overdue item, plus a processing fee. If the item is returned to the Library, the borrower is responsible ONLY for the overdue fines, not for the replacement cost or processing fee. If the item is not returned and the bill is still outstanding after 6 weeks, the delinquent account may be turned over to a collection agency.