As more Allen County residents prepare for vacations, school trips and other international travel, the Iola Public Library has seen a rise in passport applications this year.
According to Public Services Librarian and passport agent Melissa Sitler, the increase became noticeable early. While passport requests typically rise during the first few months, Sitler said the numbers felt unusually high this time around.
“It just seemed like there was more this year than years past,” she said. “In February, we did almost a passport a day.” That jump was especially noticeable compared to last year. In February 2025, the library assisted with 11 passports. This February, that number climbed to 29.
The library helped process 128 passports throughout all of 2025. Already in 2026, staff members have assisted with 75 passport applications.
Sitler believes several factors may be contributing to the increase, including more students traveling abroad through school programs.
“For the past couple of years, college and high school kids have been traveling on spring break. Last year, the Yates Center high school kids went to Spain. Kudos to them for getting to go there — that’s not where I got to go when I was in school,” she said with a laugh.
Lucky kids aside, passport applicants have come from a wide range of age groups. “I think it’s an even mix,” Sitler said.
She also noted that some residents sought passports out of a fear of changes to voting requirements. “I have heard people come in and say that they thought if you don’t have your passport, you can’t vote,” Sitler said. “There’s been a few of them that are getting it out of fear of not being able to vote.”
There is currently no federal law requiring a passport in order to vote in U.S. elections. However, a U.S. passport is accepted as a form of voter identification in many states that require ID for in-person voting.
OBTAINING a passport comes with a substantial price tag. Adult passport books cost $130, while adult passport cards are $30. Passports for minors cost $100, and minor passport cards are $15. There is also a $35 execution fee for each passport application processed through the library.
The library encourages residents to schedule appointments ahead of time because only a limited number of employees are certified passport agents. “It is highly, highly encouraged to make an appointment,” Sitler said.
The growing demand has occasionally created scheduling challenges. “Some days, we get busy, and I just can’t,” Sitler said of walk-in requests. Staffing levels fluctuate from day to day, so same-day appointments are not always possible.
Still, Sitler says the library works hard to accommodate residents whenever possible, adding that “our staff is pretty flexible with being able to get them in.” Currently, the library has six passport agents, though only three are full-time staff members.
Passport application appointments are available Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To apply for a passport, residents need proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate, a government-issued photo ID, a completed passport application in black ink, and payment for fees. Applicants also need a 2-by-2-inch color passport photo.
THE LIBRARY can take passport photos for $10, while photos are also available at Iola’s Walmart.
