With the exception of nonresident and contract cards, no charge is made to a person or business for a library card. Responsibility for items borrowed with a library card rests with the owner of that card. Individuals who apply for, receive, and use a library card issued by the Cedar Rapids Public Library agree to follow the policies, rules and regulations that have been established for the use of library materials, equipment, and facilities. The length of time a card is valid will be determined by the library administration. The Cedar Rapids Public Library issues the following types of library cards:

Metro Library Network Cards

Issued to at no cost to residents of Marion, Hiawatha, and Cedar Rapids. This card is good at all public library locations in metro area and entitles the owner to access a full range of materials and services.

Linn County Cards

Issued to any person living in unincorporated areas of Linn County, Iowa. This service may be paid for in part by the Linn County Board of Supervisors, which contracts with the Cedar Rapids Public Library for (library) services. Additional charges to cover the cost of services may be charged annually to cardholders.

Property Tax Cards

Issued at no cost to any person who lives outside the corporate limits of the City of Cedar Rapids but owns property in Cedar Rapids on which he/she pays property tax.

Business Cards

Issued in the name of the business located within the corporate limits of the City of Cedar Rapids.

Temporary Cards

Issued to a person who will be residing in Cedar Rapids for a time period of six weeks up to six months without establishing residency. Holders of temporary cards are limited to having five items checked out at any given time.

Also issued to an individual who is in the process of meeting the requirements for a Cedar Rapids library card or an Open Access card.

Open Access Cards

Issued to individuals who reside in an incorporated city with a library that participates in the state-wide Open Access program.

Group Home Cards

Issued to individuals residing in temporary group homes or shelters where the length of stay is longer than one month. Holders of group home cards are limited to having six items checked out at any given time.

Deposit Cards

Issued to preschools, day cares, and nursing homes for use by staff in order to supply materials in bulk for their clients.

In-House Cards

Issued to individuals who are unable to provide a permanent address. Holders of in-house cards are entitled to access all in-house services but are not permitted to check items out of the library.

Contract Cards

Issued to incorporated cities without a legally established public library which contract with the Cedar Rapids Public Library for library services. All persons living within the corporate limits of the contracting city are eligible for a free card.

Nonresident Cards

Issued to individuals who cannot qualify for any other type of library card at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. This card is issued at an annual cost determined by the library director.