FAQs

Contact Information:

Patrons (library account, InterLibrary Loan, reference request) 
Phone: (701) 328-4622 or 800-472-2104 
Email: statelib@nd.gov

Administration (Libraries, State Agencies, general inquiries) 
Phone: (701) 328-2492 
Fax: (701) 328-2040 
Email: ndsladmn@nd.gov

Media 
Email: ndslpa@nd.gov

Hours:

Department offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Location:

The State Library is located in the Liberty Memorial Building (the building with the large pillars) at 604 East Boulevard Avenue on the Capitol Grounds in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Mailing Address:

North Dakota State Library 
604 E Boulevard Ave Dept 250 
Bismarck ND 58505-0800

For more information, please visit our general information page.

• The North Dakota State Library is located in the Liberty Memorial Building on the east side of the State Capitol grounds, right next to the Heritage Center.
• The North Dakota State Library also has ten library lending machines located throughout the state. For more details, see Library Lending Machines.

• The North Dakota State Library provides services for all North Dakota libraries, state government agencies and employees, and all residents of North Dakota, particularly those who do not have local public library services.

• Getting a ND State Library card is easy, just fill out our online form

• The North Dakota State Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• Absolutely. The public is welcome to visit during open hours.

• Yes. The North Dakota State Library in partnership with a majority of the public libraries in the state provide downloadable e-books and audiobooks through the Libby app.

• We have a shared collection with the public libraries so there are not any “exclusive” titles for state library patrons. A reserve made with a state library card will not “bump you up the list” either. Reserves through Libby are filled by order of request. 

• Yes. Our collection is somewhat limited and focused heavily on state documents. Items borrowed from the North Dakota State Library will be mailed to patrons free of charge. However, you are responsible for return postage.

• Yes. North Dakota State Library patrons may request and borrow items from other libraries through Interlibrary Loan.

• Items from the North Dakota State Library collection have a two-month circulation period and are not renewable. Items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan usually have a much shorter borrowing period and renewals are at the discretion of the supplier library.

• Yes, Wi-Fi is available in the ground floor reading room

• Yes. North Dakota State Library will provide research assistance for North Dakota residents and state employees free of charge. We can also provide training to become a better searcher and how to use our online resources.

• No. The North Dakota State Library does provide access to Ancestry Library Edition, which must be accessed in house at the State Library or your local library. For additional genealogy resources, contact your local public library or historical society. The reference department at the North Dakota State Archives provides assistance with genealogy research for a fee.

• No. The North Dakota State Library does not accept donations except in very rare circumstances.

• Yes. Patrons can reserve items using our online Library Catalog or by calling the patron services department at (701) 328-4622 or emailing them at statelib@nd.gov. Items borrowed from the North Dakota State Library will be mailed to patrons free of charge, however you are responsible for return postage.

All kits are available to request through our Online Catalog.

If you know the name of the kit you would like to request, you can search by title.

If you do not know the name or want to see all the available kits, there are shortcut buttons available through our online catalog, as seen below. 

• The North Dakota State Library has an assortment of book club, STEM and children's audiobook kits, as well as outdoor games and giant board games. 

• Yes. Kits can be checked out to individuals, libraries, and organizations. A NDSL library card is required to borrow all materials, including kits. We have a handful of STEM kits which are restricted to library use only, due to grant restrictions.

• There is no cost to borrow a kit. Patrons have the option of picking up and returning them to the State Library or having them mailed. Kits which are mailed will be sent to patrons free of charge. However, you are responsible for return postage. Please be aware some of the kits weigh over 20lbs and postage is over $1 per pound.

• After you have found the item you want to request, click on the item to bring up the whole item record. On the right side of the screen click PLACE REQUEST. Enter your barcode information to log in, if you have not done so already. Click Submit Request in the blue box at the bottom. That's it!

• Kits are checked out and sent in the mail on the activation date you put when you reserved the kit. If you need the kit by a certain date, please set your activation date a week earlier than when you want the kit. Example, if you want it on the 15th then set your activation date as the 7th or 8th. This will ensure your kit will be sent in the mail before you wish to start using it.

• The answer is YES, you can! In the Submit Request screen, there is a category for Activation Date, followed by a box. The system defaults to today's date. However, if you make a change, the new activation date is when the kit will be pulled and shipped, if the kit is available, not the date you will receive it.

• Go to the Requests tab in your account. Tick the box for the item and then click Suspend/Reactivate Selected. Enter the date you would like the hold to activate and click Submit.
• Please be aware that just like any other library item placed on hold, a delayed request does not guarantee the item will be available on that date. We have multiple copies of many of the STEM kits but only have singles of the Book Club kits. To help lessen potential delays, please return kits promptly when you are done using them.

• Some of the kits are suitable for all ages, but most are geared toward specific age groups. A description of each kit and recommended age groups is included in the record of our online Library Catalog for each item.

• The State Library pays for shipping one way, which means the borrower pays the cost for return shipping. The cost to ship a kit depends on weight. Each kit has been weighed, and that information is in the Notes field in the catalog record. Currently, shipping through USPS costs about $1.00 per pound, so please plan accordingly before you request a kit. If you live outside of the Bismarck/Mandan area, we will automatically mail the kit to the address on your account. If you wish to have the kit sent elsewhere, like your local library, please call us so we can put notes in your account.

• All kits will have an 8-week circulation period.

• You may check out up to three kits total, including book club kits, activity kits, or a combination of both.

The North Dakota State Library has ten library lending machines located throughout the state.

• A library lending machine is a miniature library that allows State Library card holders to check out and return library materials.

• A & S Country Market in Carson, Agassiz Valley Human Service Zone in Hillsboro, Burke County Courthouse in Bowbells, Fort Ransom State Park (visitor's center - no park pass needed), McClusky City Hall, McHenry County Courthouse in Towner, ND State Capitol in Bismarck, Oliver County Courthouse in Center, Sioux County Clerk of Court in Fort Yates, and the Slope County Courthouse in Amidon.
• For hours, addresses, and a map of the locations, please visit the Library Lending Machine page.

• There are an assortment of popular fiction and non-fiction books for adults, teens, and children. They also have a limited number of audio-visual materials.

• Yes. You can check out a maximum of three items at a time

• The circulation period for all North Dakota State Library materials is two months. There are no renewals.

• There is no cost to use the library lending machines. However, you will need a North Dakota State Library card. 

• Technically, yes. However, we load the machine almost to capacity, so there may not be room if you try to return it to another location. You can also package your item and mail it back to the North Dakota State Library, 604 E. Boulevard Ave., Bismarck, ND 58505.

• Not at this time.

• Yes.

• The North Dakota State Library is responsible for maintaining and restocking the machines.

• Our intention is to replace titles quarterly.

• No. You will need to use a North Dakota State Library card.

• Scanning can sometimes be a bit tricky. Hold your card about 4 inches below the scanner and a couple inches away from the screen. There is a target red dot about the size of a quarter. Sometimes it helps to hold out the back of your hand to find the sweet spot.

• For any questions or problems with the machines, please contact the North Dakota State Library at (701) 328-4622 or send an email to statelib@nd.gov.

Below is a list of the different listservs that you can join.

• NDSL-ACADEMIC is a listserv for academic librarians and State Library professionals. This listserv allows the ability to communicate with one another, share information, and discuss issues.  The State library will use it to post information relevant to academic librarians.
• Subscribe to NDSL-ACADEMIC
• Subscription has to be approved

• NDSL-LIBYAC is a listserv for librarians who work with young adults and children.
• Subscribe to NDSL-LIBYAC
• Subscription has to be approved

• NDSL-NDPUBLICLIB is a listserv for public library directors. This list allows public library directors and State Library professionals the ability to communicate with one another, share information, and discuss issues. The State Library will use it to provide updates as well as post other information relevant to public library directors. If you are a public library director, you should have been added to this list.
• Subscribe to NDSL-NDPUBLICLIB
• Subscription has to be approved

• NDSL-STATECAT is a listserv for the libraries for which the State Library catalogs.  We will use it to disseminate information to you, but something to understand is that while all the libraries that are on this list are ones that have their cataloging done by the Statewide Catalog Development dept., the details of each library vary.  Some libraries are members of ODIN.  Some use stand-alone products like Atriuum or LibraryWorld as their circulation system.
• Subscribe to NDSL-STATECAT
• Subscription has to be approved

• NDSL-TRIBAL is a listserv for tribal librarians and State Library professionals. This listserv allows the ability to communicate with one another, share information, and discuss issues.  The State library will use it to post information relevant to tribal librarians.
• Subscribe to NDSL-TRIBAL
• Subscription has to be approved

• SCHLIBTALK is a listserv especially for school librarians, especially those in North Dakota. If you want to discuss current issues in school libraries, or just want to ask other librarians for ideas, please join!
• Subscribe or Unsubscribe to SCHLIBTALK
• Read the SCHLIBTALK archives

The Talking Book Program is provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress in partnership with the North Dakota State Library. It provides free audio and Braille books to individuals who are unable to read or use regular print materials.

• Any resident of the United States or American citizen living abroad who is unable to read or use regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations may receive service through NLS. This includes those who are blind or have a visual, physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from reading or handling print materials.

• Your first step is to fill out the Application Form. The application is a fillable PDF which can be mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed. There is a certification requirement as part of the application process. Page four has the certification information and provides a list of professionals who are eligible to certify.

• Popular fiction by well-known authors and non-fiction in a large variety of subjects are available for adults, teens, and children. They are available as both audio and braille books. Additionally, Talking Books patrons can borrow materials from the North Dakota State Library, of which we have many large print titles to choose from.

• Audiobooks are available in two formats. The most common is a cartridge which is played back on a specialized Digital Talking Books machine. The other option is a digital download to your Apple or Android phone or tablet using the BARD (braille and audio reading download) app. Braille is also offered in two formats, hard copy print and as a BARD download to a Braille e-reader.

• There are no costs or fees for the Talking Books Program. All items are sent from and returned to the North Dakota State Library through the United States Postal Service Free Matter for the Blind program.

• Absolutely. After you are signed up for service, you can call or email requests which will be added to your patron account.

• You can borrow books on cartridge for two months. The Digital Talking Books machine is yours to keep as long are you are enrolled in the program. The machine and cartridges are property of the United States Government and must be returned to the North Dakota State Library when you discontinue service.

• Yes. We are always looking for people to read and record books and magazines for the program. Contact the North Dakota State Library (701) 328-4622 and ask for the Patron Services Director for more information.

• If you ever have any questions or problems, please contact the North Dakota State Library (701) 328-4622 and one of the patron service associates will be happy to assist.