Using the Library With Your Child

Purpose 

 The Dubuque County Library District (DCLD) works to maintain a useful, well-rounded collection to support the library’s mission and meet the needs of residents of the Library’s service area. This policy exists to guide librarians in selecting materials and to inform the public about the principles guiding collection development decisions. 

Inclusion of materials in the collection does not constitute endorsement of their contents. The library recognizes that any given item may offend some patrons. However, because the library follows accepted principles of intellectual freedom, it will not remove specific titles solely because individuals or groups may find them objectionable. The library subscribes to the principles contained in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and its interpretations, and the Freedom to Read Statement (see Appendices). These documents have been affirmed by the DCLD board and are considered part of the Library’s policies.

Responsibility 

 Through this policy, the DCLD board places ultimate authority for materials selection with the library director, to be exercised based on the precepts laid out here. The director may delegate portions of these duties to library staff as desired. 

Digital Materials 

 When possible, digital materials are selected in accordance with this policy. However, digital materials may be provided through a content aggregator. As such, the inclusion or exclusion of specific titles in these collections are made by the vendor and may not conform to this policy’s guidelines. 

Selection Guidelines 

 Selection of books and/or materials shall be made on the basis of the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the communities served. Materials will not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. Items considered for selection are evaluated as a whole, not on the basis of a particular section or sections. 

Price, accuracy, and timeliness of information are other factors influencing selection. The library does not typically purchase out-of-print material for the collection, and no attempt is made to purchase all the works by particular authors. As a general rule, the library will acquire only works of interest to the layperson. The library does not support educational curricula through the purchase of textbooks. Borrowing materials from other libraries through interlibrary loan is another option available to customers for older or unique materials. 

However, textbooks may be added to the collection if they provide the best, or only, sources of information on a subject, or if they complement an existing area with another perspective.  

Materials may be available in a variety of formats. Factors governing the choice of format include anticipated use, ease of access, and availability of technology, if applicable. 

The library welcomes suggestions from the public for materials to purchase. Such requests are typically fulfilled, assuming the desired item meets general selection guidelines established here. 

Gifts 

 DCLD welcomes donations to enhance the collection. Donated items become the property of the library. All donations to the library are accepted on the condition that they may be retained and added to the collections or disposed of at its sole discretion, in accordance with this policy. Monetary donations intended for use in purchasing materials may be accompanied by a suggested subject area, but specific selection decisions will be made in accordance with this policy. 

Withdrawal of Materials 

 Materials that are worn, damaged, outdated, duplicated, or no longer used may be removed from the collection. Materials withdrawn from the collection in this manner will be disposed of at the library’s discretion.  

Statements of Concern 

 Should a patron of DCLD take issue with the inclusion of a specific title in the library collection, they are encouraged to contact the library director to arrange to discuss these concerns. Should that discussion prove unfeasible or fail to address the patron’s concerns, they may complete and submit a “Statement of Concern about Library Resources” form (available at all branches). For further details, please see the Statements of Concern policy. 

 

Related Policies: Bulletin Board & Display, Programs, Statements of Concern 

Adopted 12/20/2022 

Reviewed 2/17/2026 

 

 Appendix 1 

The Library Bill of Rights 

Appendix 2

Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights 

Appendix 3 

The Freedom to Read Statement 

The Dubuque County Library District welcomes individuals of all ages and abilities. The library strives to be a place of belonging for all and the safety and welfare of vulnerable patrons at the library is of utmost importance. A vulnerable patron is a library user of any age whose behavior requires them to be accompanied by a guardian or caregiver or who is unable or unwilling to care for themselves.

Vulnerable patrons should be supervised by age appropriate, responsible parties at all times. Guardians and caregivers are responsible for monitoring the activities and regulating the behavior of persons in their care while they are in the library. Library staff may make exceptions to these requirements for patrons attending library programs.

The Library Board and staff respect the rights and privacy of all library patrons. Staff will intervene only when vulnerable patrons are left unattended and if disruptive behaviors or issues relating to safety and well-being occur.

Library staff will follow established procedures for the protection of the involved party or parties and to maintain an environment free from disruption in accordance with the Conduct in the Library Policy.

Library staff is not responsible for vulnerable patrons interacting with or leaving the library with persons who are not appropriate caregivers or for any consequences related to parents or caregivers forfeiting their responsibilities.

Library staff may refer to social services or law enforcement those vulnerable patrons who are left unattended in the library when a parent/guardian cannot be reached or if the behavior of the minor child or vulnerable adult falls outside acceptable behavior in the library.

Related Policies: Conduct in the Library

Adopted 6/20/23

 

Circulation Policy 

The Dubuque County Library District (DCLD) provides public library services to residents and property-owners of the DCLD service area and residents of cities which have a signed contract with the Public Library Agency of Dubuque County. The DCLD service area includes the unincorporated areas of Dubuque County and cities which are members of DCLD. Checkout privileges are also offered to residents of cities participating in the State Library Open Access program. 

 

The following cities are currently members of the Dubuque County Library District: Asbury, Epworth, Farley, Holy Cross, and Peosta. 

 

The following cities currently have a signed contract with the Public Library Agency of Dubuque County: Balltown, Centralia, Durango, Luxemburg, and Rickardsville. 

 

Service will not be denied or abridged because of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability or veteran status. 

 

• Eligibility for service 

• DCLD offers library service at different levels of access based on the source of the patron’s eligibility for service. These levels of access are reflected in the library’s patron categories (detailed below). DCLD staff will determine each patron’s source of eligibility at account creation and renewal and assign or update the patron’s category accordingly. 

• Residents and property-owners of the DCLD service area or contracting cities shall be eligible for a full-service library card. 

• Iowa residents of communities participating in the State Library Open Access program shall be eligible for a limited-service library card. 

• Out-of-state residents may be eligible to purchase a temporary limited-service library card. 

• The use of library materials may be denied or limited for due cause, such as failure to return materials, failure to pay fines or fees, or destruction of library property.  Failure to adhere to the Conduct in the Library policy may also be considered as cause for denial or limitation of service. 

 

• Library card creation, renewal, and replacement 

• Any eligible person 14 years of age and over may register for a library card by presenting proper identification (learner’s permit, driver’s license, State/Federal issued ID, School ID, passport, or birth certificate with social security card) and proof of address.  

• Any eligible person 13 years of age or under may register for a library card if accompanied by a parent or guardian who presents a valid, government-issued photo ID. Additional proof of address may be required. 

• Library cards shall expire on a regular schedule. Expired cards are blocked from borrowing materials. An expired card shall be renewed by staff upon request from the patron after verifying and if need be updating the patron’s name and contact information. 

• The library shall issue a replacement library card upon request from the patron. There may be a fee for this replacement. The replacement of a library card is subject to the same ID and address verification requirements as the issuance of a new library card. 

 

• Borrowing 

• Patrons are asked to present their library card when checking out materials. Additional verification of identity may be required for patrons checking out materials without their library card. 

• Possession of a library card is assumed to indicate permission from the card’s owner to check out materials on the associated account. For this reason, patrons are encouraged to report a lost or stolen library card promptly. 

• The library may place limits on borrowing due to demand, availability, and licensing agreements. 

• The library will neither institute nor enforce limits on borrowing based on content or intended audience. 

 

• Holds 

• Patrons may request that an item be held for checkout at the branch of the patron’s choosing. 

• The library may limit how many holds a patron can place concurrently due to demand and availability. 

• Items will be held for a period of days, after which time they may be returned to regular circulation. The duration of this period shall be determined by staff based on availability and demand.  

 

• Overdue materials 

• The library does not charge fines for the late return of borrowed materials. 

• The library may restrict borrowing privileges for any patron with an item 7 or more days overdue. Any such restriction will be lifted once all overdue materials are either returned or renewed. 

• When an item becomes 30 or more days overdue, the library may assume the item has been lost and charge the patron accordingly. After sixty (60) days, a final notice is sent to the borrower for the cost of the item plus a postage fee. Following this notice the library will consider the items stolen and theft charges may follow in accordance with Iowa Code 714.5, which reads: 

“The fact that a person fails to return library materials for two months or more after the date the person agreed to return the library materials, or fails to return library equipment for one month or more after the date the person agreed to return the library equipment, is evidence of intent to deprive the owner, provided a reasonable attempt, including the mailing by restricted certified mail of notice that such material or equipment is overdue and criminal actions will be taken, has been made to reclaim the materials or equipment.” 

 

• Lost and damaged materials 

• When an item is lost or damaged while checked out to a patron, the library may charge the patron up to the replacement price of the item. 

• The library will not accept a replacement item in lieu of payment. 

• If the lost item is returned in good condition before the replacement price is paid, the replacement fee will be waived. 

• After the replacement fee for a lost item has been paid, the library will accept the item and issue a refund if the item is returned in good condition within 60 days of the payment date. 

 

• Patron categories 

• The library’s established patron categories include the following: 

• Adult: Residents and property-owners of the DCLD service area or contracting cities who are 14 or more years old. This is a full-service card. 

• Juvenile: Residents and property-owners of the DCLD service area or contracting cities who are 13 years old and under. This is a full-service card. 

• DCSD Student: Middle and secondary school students from the Dubuque Community School District granted library accounts via the Public Library Student Access Program. (To learn more about this program, visit https://www.dbqschools.org/district/programs/public-library-student-access/.) This card allows the patron to borrow up to 3 items at a time and to access some electronic resources. Note: Parents/guardians who do not wish for their student to participate in the Public Library Student Access Program may opt-out by completing the Program Opt-Out Form available on the Dubuque Community School District website at www.dbqschools.org/public-library-student-access/opt-out.  

• Open Access Adult: Residents of cities participating in the State Library Open Access program who are 14 or more years old. This card allows full use of print materials but generally does not allow the use of electronic resources outside of the library. 

• Open Access Juvenile: Residents of cities participating in the State Library Open Access program who are 13 years old and under. This card allows full use of print materials but generally does not allow the use of electronic resources outside of the library. 

• Open Access Care Facility: Residents of a care facility located in a city participating in the State Library Open Access program. This card allows full use of print materials but generally does not allow the use of electronic resources outside of the library. Lending limits and periods are adjusted to accommodate scheduled visits. 

• Organization: Registered senior living centers, residential care centers, or other local organizations located in the DCLD service area or contracting cities. This card allows the use of print materials with alternate lending limits and periods for extended borrowing and use by a group of patrons. Interested organizations may request to set up an Organization card at any service desk, however, approval is subject to review.  Organization cards are not to be used for personal checkouts.  

• Teacher: Teachers in any capacity, including homeschool teachers and daycare instructors, within the DCLD service area or contracting cities are eligible. This card allows the use of print materials with alternate lending limits and periods for extended borrowing and use by a group of patrons, specifically aimed at enhancing education curricula. Teacher cards are not to be used for personal checkouts. DCLD patrons may qualify for a standard Adult or OA/Adult account for personal checkouts as well as a Teacher account for checkouts related to education curricula.  

• Temporary: Patrons without a permanent address. This card expires after 1 month and allows the patron to borrow up to 3 items at a time. 

• Guest: Visitors to the community may purchase a guest card. This card expires after 1 month and allows the patron to borrow up to 3 items at a time.  

• Family:  Family cards may be issued to an adult who requests one. Family cards can include parent(s) and minor children or just spouses.  Family cards are treated like all other accounts if materials are lost or stolen. Family cards are optional for patrons. Patrons who choose to do so may instead have individual cards issued to the members of their families. Patrons cannot have an individual card if included on a family card or obtain a family card while retaining their individual borrower account. One adult can open a family card account and must sign the library card application if they have the required ID proof. The adult applying for the account may list other family members in the account. 

 

• The library may establish additional patron categories as needed in order to enforce circulation policies and procedures. 

 

• Linked Accounts Feature 

Individual library accounts may be linked together. Linked cardholders agree to share their login information with each other and are able to access each other’s confidential account information. In addition, materials on hold for those in a linked account group may be checked out on any member’s card.   

• Cardholders 14 years of age or older must sign a consent form to be added to or dropped from a linked account. 

• Cardholders under 14 years of age must be added or dropped from a linked account by a parent or guardian. 

• Cardholders, except parents or guardians of members under 18 years of age, are not financially liable for another member. 

• Individual cards are retained when accounts are linked. 

 

• Lending limits 

• Patrons in the Temporary and Guest categories may have up to three items checked out at one time. 

• No patron may have more than one hotspot checked out at one time. 

• No patron may have more than one laptop checked out at one time. 

• No patron may have more than one Chromebook checked out at one time. 

 

• Lending periods and renewals 

• Standard lending periods and renewal allowances are as follows: 

• Print books and audiobooks may be borrowed for 3 weeks at a time and renewed twice. 

• Games & Puzzles, Magazines, DVDs, and Blu-rays may be borrowed for 1 week at a time and renewed twice. 

• Chromebooks may be borrowed for 3 weeks and renewed twice. 

• Hotspots may be borrowed for 1 week and may not be renewed. Patrons are not allowed to check out a hotspot within 24 hours of setting up an account.   

• Laptops may be borrowed for 2 hours at a time and may be renewed once.  

• Library staff may extend lending periods and grant extra renewals based on extenuating circumstances. 

• Renewals shall not be allowed on items for which another patron has requested a hold. 

• Items borrowed from other libraries via interlibrary loan may be subject to alternate lending periods and renewal limits and may incur fines if not returned on or before their due date. Interlibrary loan services are only available to patrons in the categories Adult, Juvenile, Open Access Adult, and Open Access Juvenile. 

 

Related policies: Privacy and Confidentiality 

 

Adopted 11/15/2022 

Revised 12/20/2022 

Revised 5/16/2023 

Revised 7/18/2023 

Revised 11/18/2025 

Revised 2/17/2026 

Revised 4/21/2026