Library FAQs

How do I…

Welcome to the Council Bluffs Library FAQs page. Find answers to the most common questions asked by our users. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us here.

Library cards are issued to individuals and organizations at the Library Circulation Desk. In addition to allowing you to check out library materials, your library card provides access to online content including electronic books, media, and databases. You will need to provide identification to show you are a resident of Council Bluffs. Apply online here.

To create a PIN number, begin by clicking “My Account” in the upper left corner of the screen. Enter your library barcode and click “Submit.” You will then be prompted to create a PIN number. If you need to reset you PIN number, click “Forget Your PIN?” under the “Submit” button. After entering your library barcode, you will be sent an email containing directions that will allow you to reset your PIN. If you do not have an email account connected to your library account, you will need to visit the Circulation Desk with your photo ID.

You can rent one of our four meeting rooms for a business or club meeting at the Library. For information on room availability and pricing, please contact the reference department at reference@councilbluffslibrary.org or call 712-323-7553. Learn more about our rooms here.

To download an e-Book, go to the e-Library page and select e-Book. From here you will be redirected to Overdrive. You can begin using Overdrive by downloading a mobile app to your mobile device – you can find detailed instructions for each app here. The Overdrive help page provides instructions on getting started, borrowing e-Books, listening to audiobooks and troubleshooting. The Device profiles page details which devices work with Overdrive and provides instructions specific to each device. Useful links below:

Getting Started With Overdrive

Instructions for your device

Get the App

Instructions for borrowing

To download an audiobook, go to the eLibrary page and select audiobook. From here you will be redirected to One Click.

  1. Login using your library card number and pin
  2. Click on the Register link in the top right corner. You’ll be asked to provide your email address, and to select a username.
  3. Browse through the audiobooks and click one you would like to read
    If the item is available, click “Check Out.”
  4. Listen to your book using your browser or on the App*

*Apps available for PC, Mac, iOS (iPad, iPhone), Android, and Kindle.

To place a hold, begin by signing into your account by clicking “My Account” in the upper left corner of the screen – you will be prompted to enter your barcode (found on your library card) and PIN number. Once you are logged in, you can browse and search titles. The availability of an item will display under the description. To place a hold, click “Request it” to the right of the description. This will place you on a hold list and you will be notified when the item is available for pick up. Requested items are located on the first floor near the Circulation Desk.

Occasionally you may want to freeze a hold and then unfreeze it later. For example, if you are going on vacation you can freeze all of your holds and unfreeze them when you return. This ensures that no holds are missed in your absence. To suspend a hold, login into the library catalog using your name and the barcode found on your library card. Selecting “Holds” in the left panel will detail all outstanding holds. To freeze a hold, check the “freeze” box next to the requested item, then press “update list.”

If you are looking to cancel a hold, login to the catalog by going to “My Account”  and click on your name in the upper right corner. From there, you will be taken to a page detailing your account information. Selecting “Holds” in the left panel will detail all outstanding holds. To cancel a hold, check the “cancel” box next to the requested item, then press “update list.” Selecting “Cancel all” will clear all holds from your account.

To renew an item, login to the library catalog and click on your name in the upper right corner. You will be taken to a page detailing your account information. Selecting “Checkouts” in the left panel will detail all items checked out on your card. Select “Renew All,” or to renew individual items, check the “renew” box next to the requested item, then press “update list.” Each item renewed will display a status in the status column – in most cases this will be the new due date. If the item can’t be renewed (because it is too new or is on hold for another patron), the status will indicate that the materials were not renewed.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service which allows you to borrow materials from other libraries. To request an item, you can contact the Reference Department at 712-323-7553 (ext. 134). Questions about ILL services can be sent to ill@councilbluffslibrary.org. You will be notified when your item is available for pick-up. Requests for new items (less than a year old) should be sent to the Suggest We Buy form.

The library does consider patron requests when making purchasing decisions. Suggestions for new items can be submitted by the Suggest We Buy form. located on the Books, Music and More page. If the item is ordered, a hold will be placed for you and you will be notified when the item is available.

For a list of library fines & fees, click here.

For a list of library policies, including information on fines & fees click here.
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