Visiting the Library FAQs

  • General Questions

    The Sammamish Library will be open 7 days a week, starting April 27. We hope you enjoy this additional day of library service! We plan to add more days of service to several other libraries in 2025 and 2026. We will announce more open hours changes on our news page when that information is available.  

    When identifying which library hours will expand, we consider the following factors: 

    • Community feedback 
    • Circulation 
    • Door Counts 
    • Geography 

    What changes do you want to see at your library so we can better meet your needs? Go to our comment form to share your suggestions. 

    The Sammamish Library will be open 7 days a week, starting April 27. 

    Wi-Fi remains on after normal library hours at some locations.

     King County Library System (KCLS) libraries are closed on the following holidays each year:

    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King’s Birthday
    • Presidents’ Day
    • Easter (Crossroads only)
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Veterans Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Native American Heritage Day
    • Christmas Eve
    • Christmas Day

    Libraries located at shopping malls close early on New Year's Eve.

    The Crossroads, Lake Forest Park, and Southcenter shopping centers close early on New Year's Eve. The Crossroads, Lake Forest Park, and Southcenter Libraries will also close early, at 6pm.

    The Crossroads Library also closes on Easter.

    The library is located in the Crossroads Mall, which is closed in observance of Easter Sunday.

    Plan your visit.

    Check individual location pages, opens a new window for current dates specific to your local library. Holiday and closure information is posted on individual location pages. Look for the "Holidays & Closures" box and select "View all Holidays & Closures" to expand the list.

    How Holidays Impact Services

    You can still use some contactless and online services while we're closed. Find out how the holidays impact services.

    Customer Service

    Ask KCLS staff are unavailable for email, chat, or phone calls on holidays. Staff are unavailable to respond to questions on our social media accounts.
     

    Digital Access

    You will continue to have access to your online account and digital collections. You can download eBooks, stream music and movies, and more. Find digital services that you can use while libraries are closed.
     

    Returns and Locker Holds

    Book drops and Self-Check-in stations are open on holidays. You can return items to book drops while we are closed.
     
    Lockers are available as a hold pickup option at select library locations. Lockers are available 24/7. If your holds are ready to be collected from a locker, you can pick them up on a holiday.
     

    Your Next Library Visit

    Find hours and services offered at your library on your library's location page.

    You can send posters and flyers to distribute at the library if your organization is a nonprofit (501.c3). You must drop off or mail materials to our Shipping Center in Preston. Please read the Nonprofit Distribution Guidelines on our policies page for more information.

    Yes.

    Yes. Please contact your local library for more information.

    Yes. All libraries now accept donations.

  • Access to Library Buildings and Assistive Equipment

    We understand the challenge in taking public transportation to locations with limited hours. Please take note of current library hours, opens a new window to ensure you arrive when we are open to serve you.

    You can choose from accessible formats of books, movies, magazines, and newspapers. Formats include: 

    • Captioned movies 
    • Digital collections 
    • Large print and  
    • Recorded books (audiobooks) 

    Learn more about accessible formats in the "Formats" section of the Accessibility page. 

    We will also provide reasonable accommodations for borrowing. Options that may make managing your account easier could be longer hold and loan periods.  

    Learn more about accommodations for borrowing in the "Request an Accommodation" section of the Accessibility page. 

    If you cannot leave home or come to a library, you may be able to get items delivered to you by Mobile Services.

    You may be eligible to access collections from the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL). Learn about what they offer, who is eligible to use them, how to apply, and how we can help.

  • Meeting Rooms

    Your activities in the space will be open to all library visitors.
    You may not collect fees.
    You may not sell products or services.
    Your reservation may be cancelled if you're more than 30 minutes late.

    Yes, room 2A/B is open for reservations. The room is available from 9:30am to 9pm Monday through Friday, and 9am to 9pm on weekends.

    You can reserve a meeting room online, opens a new window or by contacting your local community library, opens a new window.

    Meeting room capacity varies by location.

    Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made 4 weeks into the future. Include enough time for setting up and breaking down the room. 

    You will be notified if your request is approved or denied, once staff have reviewed your request.

    You can reserve a meeting room for as many hours as it's available, while the library is open.

    Include enough time in your reservation to:

    • Set up your activity before it begins.
    • Clean up the room after your activity is complete.
    • Return the room to its original setup after your activity is complete.

    You can reserve a room up to 28 days in advance starting at midnight.

    All rooms have tables and chairs. Some rooms offer other equipment. Find details on individual library reservation pages.

    You can reserve a meeting room once per calendar month at each library. This applies to individuals and organizations.

    We provide both meeting room and study room spaces that can be used by the local community. Meeting rooms reopened on May 4. Study rooms reopened on July 5, 2022. 

    To find out which room type best meets your needs, check out the features comparison below.

    Study Room Meeting Room
    Capacity:                  

    Can be used by just one or a few people.

    		Capacity:                 

    Can accommodate a large group.
    Time Limit:                  

    Up to 2 hours.

    		Time Limit:                 

    You can reserve a meeting room for as many hours as it's available, while the library is open.
    Reservation Window:                  

    Up to 1 week in advance.

    		Reservation Window:                 

    Up to 4 weeks in advance.
    Reservation Frequency Limit:               

    One online reservation per week at each library. There are no limits to how often you can drop in to use a study room. If you don't have an advanced reservation, you may still be able to use a study room. Check with staff about availability during your visit.

    		 Reservation Frequency Limit:                  

    One reservation per calendar month at each library.
    How to reserve:                 

    Reserve a study room online,, opens a new window or by contacting your local community library, opens a new window. No library card is needed to reserve a standard study room. A library card is required to reserve an enhanced study room (a study room and equipment to use in it). 

    		 How to reserve:                 

    Reserve a meeting room online,, opens a new window or by contacting your local community library, opens a new window. No library card is needed to reserve a meeting room.
    Equipment:                  

    All study rooms have tables and chairs. At select locations, you can reserve an enhanced study room. When you reserve enhanced study rooms, you reserve a study room and request equipment to use in the space. Equipment includes a laptop with a web camera and headphones with a microphone.

    		Equipment:                 

    All meeting rooms have tables and chairs. Some rooms offer other equipment. Find details on individual library reservation pages.

    Privacy:                  

    Can be used privately. 

    		Privacy:                  

    Activities in the space must be open to all. You may not limit attendance to any particular group.
     

    Library staff accept or decline requests on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll receive an email confirmation if staff accept your reservation request. 

    Is your requested time within the next 72 hours? If you haven't received an email confirmation yet, contact your library.

    To cancel a reservation, follow the link that appears under the text "To cancel this reservation, use..." in your room reservation confirmation email. Or, call staff at the library that you made your reservation for.

  • Study Rooms

    You or your small group can make an online reservation to use a study room once per week at each library. 
     
    There are no limits to how often you or your small group can drop in to use a study room. If you don't have an advanced reservation, you may still be able to use a study room. Check with staff about availability during your visit.

    You or your small group can reserve a study room up to one week in advance.

    You or your small group can use a study room for up to two hours at a time. This applies to all study rooms, including enhanced study rooms with equipment.

    Include enough time in your reservation to:

    • Set up your activity before it begins.
    • Clean up the room after your activity is complete.
    • Return the room to its original setup after your activity is complete.

    Reserve a study room online, or by contacting your local community library.

    To reserve a room without equipment: 

    1. Choose a "study room" at your library.
    2. Select an available time for the room.
    3. Read and agree to the terms of use.
    4. Complete the request form.

    You don’t need a library card to reserve a standard study room.

    To reserve a room with equipment:

    1. Choose a "study room” at your library.
    2. Select an available time for the room.
    3. Add equipment to your cart.
    4. Select an available time for the equipment.
    5. Check out. (There is no cost to use equipment.)
    6. Read and agree to the terms of use.
    7. Complete the request form.

    You need a library card to reserve equipment to use in an enhanced study room.

    You will be notified if your request is approved or denied.

    If you don't have an advance reservation, you may still be able to use a study room. Check with staff about availability during your visit.

    All study rooms have tables and chairs.

    At select locations, you can reserve an enhanced study room. When you reserve enhanced study rooms, you also reserve equipment to use in the space. Equipment includes a laptop with a web camera and headphones with a microphone.

    Find details on individual library reservation pages.

    You’ll need a valid King County Library System card. When you reserve a room, enter your library card number. On the day of your reservation, arrive early to check in with staff and verify your card.

    Don't have a library card? You can still reserve a room, but you can't reserve equipment without a card. Check with staff about equipment availability when you arrive. You can then apply for a card before your appointment to add equipment it to your reservation.

     

    We provide study rooms to serve the needs of the library and the local community. Rooms provide space for individuals and small groups to meet, study, learn and connect.

    Capacity

    Study rooms can be used by just one or a few people at a time. A small group reservation is when more than 1 person uses a Study Room at the same time. 

    Time Limit

    You or your small group can use a study room for up to 2 hours at a time.

    Reservation Window

    You or your small group can reserve a study room up to 1 week in advance.

    Reservation Frequency Window

    You or your small group can make one online reservation per week at each library. There are no limits to how often you or your small group can drop in to use a study room. If you or your small group don't have an advanced reservation, you may still be able to use a study room. Check with staff about availability during your visit. 

    How to Reserve

    Reservations for study rooms are on a first-come, first-served basis. You don't need a library card to reserve a standard study room. You need a library card to reserve an enhanced study room. 

    Equipment

    All study rooms have tables and chairs. At select locations, you can reserve an enhanced study room. When you reserve enhanced study rooms, you reserve a study room and equipment to use in the space. Equipment includes a laptop with webcam and a headset with a microphone.

    Late Arrivals

    After 15 minutes, we may give the reservation to the next person waiting for a room.

    Everyone using the study room must follow this policy:

    We provide both meeting room and study room spaces that can be used by the local community. Meeting rooms reopened on May 4. Study rooms reopened on July 5, 2022. 

    To find out which room type best meets your needs, check out the features comparison below.

    Study Room Meeting Room
    Capacity:                  

    Can be used by just one or a few people.

    		Capacity:                 

    Can accommodate a large group.
    Time Limit:                  

    Up to 2 hours.

    		Time Limit:                 

    You can reserve a meeting room for as many hours as it's available, while the library is open.
    Reservation Window:                  

    Up to 1 week in advance.

    		Reservation Window:                 

    Up to 4 weeks in advance.
    Reservation Frequency Limit:               

    One online reservation per week at each library. There are no limits to how often you can drop in to use a study room. If you don't have an advanced reservation, you may still be able to use a study room. Check with staff about availability during your visit.

    		 Reservation Frequency Limit:                  

    One reservation per calendar month at each library.
    How to reserve:                 

    Reserve a study room online,, opens a new window or by contacting your local community library, opens a new window. No library card is needed to reserve a standard study room. A library card is required to reserve an enhanced study room (a study room and equipment to use in it). 

    		 How to reserve:                 

    Reserve a meeting room online,, opens a new window or by contacting your local community library, opens a new window. No library card is needed to reserve a meeting room.
    Equipment:                  

    All study rooms have tables and chairs. At select locations, you can reserve an enhanced study room. When you reserve enhanced study rooms, you reserve a study room and request equipment to use in the space. Equipment includes a laptop with a web camera and headphones with a microphone.

    		Equipment:                 

    All meeting rooms have tables and chairs. Some rooms offer other equipment. Find details on individual library reservation pages.

    Privacy:                  

    Can be used privately. 

    		Privacy:                  

    Activities in the space must be open to all. You may not limit attendance to any particular group.
     

    Library staff accept or decline requests on a first-come, first-served basis. You’ll receive an email confirmation if staff accept your reservation request. 

    Is your requested time within the next 72 hours? If you haven't received an email confirmation yet, contact your library.

    To cancel a reservation, follow the link that appears under the text "To cancel this reservation, use..." in your room reservation confirmation email. Or, call staff at the library that you made your reservation for.

    Arriving late to your study room appointment? After 15 minutes, we may give the reservation to the next person waiting for a room.