Services for Patrons

Our professional reference staff provides an array of services to all citizens of North Dakota from extensive research services for state employees, to assisting local and school librarians in need of additional materials or subject expertise, and to helping walk-in patrons find something to read.

• All materials circulate for eight weeks
• Patrons residing outside of the Bismarck-Mandan-Lincoln area can have the library materials they request mailed to them free of charge, though they are responsible for the return postage
• Library cards are issued to residents of North Dakota
• There is no charge for signing up for a North Dakota State Library card
• Library cards enable patrons to check out materials from the State Library and provide access to the Online Library Resources
• Library card applications are available at the North Dakota State Library, over the telephone, or online
• Patron confidentiality is protected by state law. See North Dakota Century Code 40-38-12, Library records - Open records exception
• For more information, see our Loan Policies brochure

In addition to general library materials that includes fiction and non-fiction works, reference books, Federal documents, and extensive large print and library science collections, the State Library also proudly offers North Dakota materials. To view all of our materials, please visit our Collections.

• Up to 30 minutes will be spent on requests from North Dakota residents
• Extensive reference work (requiring more than 30 minutes to conduct) is performed solely for state employees
• Only quick look ups will be performed for those residing outside of North Dakota
• The State Library does not do genealogical research
• Photocopies cost $0.10 per page
• There is no charge to state employees for work-related copies and printouts