Public Services

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. Need assistance? Our reference staff is more than happy to help!

Our circulation staff performs many important tasks that are vital for keeping the State Library operating smoothly. They pack up all library materials for shipping and are responsible for processing all of the mail that comes into the State Library. They are also responsible for shelf maintenance, including shelving all materials, doing inventory, and shelf shifting. These tasks help ensure that all our materials can be readily located and efficiently delivered.

Working in conjunction with the State Library’s other departments, the Public Services staff proudly provides materials and information through the mail, over the phone, and online to patrons throughout our great state.

• Large print materials circulate for eight weeks; all other materials circulate for four weeks
• Renewals can be requested online, over the phone, or in person
• 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
• It is the policy of the North Dakota State Library that patrons under the age of eighteen must have a parental or guardian signature on their card application
• 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

• 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 and computer and microform printouts cost $0.10 per page
• There is no charge to state employees for work-related copies and printouts

In addition to a gratifying contingent of general library materials that includes videos, fiction and non-fiction works, materials for juvenile audiences, reference books, Federal documents, and extensive large print and library science collections, the State Library also proudly offers the following North Dakota materials:

North Dakota Books, Movies, and Audio

• The State Library aggressively collects materials about North Dakota and North Dakotans, as well as those produced by North Dakotans
• For more information, see our Collection Development Policy

North Dakota State Documents

• The State Library is the principal depository of documents produced by North Dakota state government agencies
• These documents comprise a wealth of historical, governmental, and current information
• For more information, see the State Document Depository Program

North Dakota Newspapers

• Grand Forks Herald - Microfilm: March 28, 1882-March 31, 1993; Paper: current and three previous months
• Bismarck Tribune - Microfilm: June 30, 1885-current; Paper: current and three previous months
• Fargo Forum - Microfilm: November 17, 1891-current; Paper: current and three previous months
• Minot Daily Herald - Paper: current and three previous months

North Dakota Resource Files

• The North Dakota Resource File consists of materials and newspaper clippings about North Dakota people, places, things, and events
• This material does not circulate
• Patrons may view files in the Reading Room
• Photocopies can be made for $0.10 per page

North Dakota County Atlases

• The North Dakota State Library maintains a collection of county atlases
• These atlases are not available for loan
• Photocopies can be made from them for $0.10 per page
• North Dakota libraries and North Dakota State Library patrons may contact the State Library to request photocopies from the county atlases
• Out-of-state requests for copies must be submitted as interlibrary loan requests through a local library

• Loan Policies
• Collection Development Policy