Library Cards FAQs

  • General Questions

    eCards are available to King County residents and property owners, outside of Seattle, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point. 

    Residents of reciprocal library systems can get a card that normally needs to be activated in person. Apply online for an all-access card. You can activate your card in person at any of our libraries. You will need proof of address and photo ID that shows your date of birth. You'll receive instructions to complete the process when you get your card in the mail.

    If you are unable to access a community library in person, you may email images of your

    • photo ID,
    • proof of address, and
    • a photo of yourself holding at least one of the documents.

    Please reach out to your preferred library for details.

    Library cards are available to anyone who lives or owns property in:

    *Our service area includes all of King County except for Seattle, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.

    Find out who is eligible and what you need to verify eligibility in the chart below. Not sure if you're eligible? Contact us to find out.

    If you: then you are eligible for:  and you must provide:
    Live in our service area* All-Access Library Card or eCard For an All-Access Library Card:
    1. Proof of address.
    2. Photo ID that shows your date of birth.

    For an eCard:

    1. Valid email address.
    2. Physical address within our service area* where you receive mail.

    Own property in but don't live in our service area*

     

    Are married to someone who owns property in but doesn't live in our service area*

     

    Are younger than 18 and your parent or guardian owns property in our service area*

    		 All-Access Library Card or eCard For an All-Access Library Card:
    1. Proof of address.
    2. Photo ID that shows your date of birth.
    3. Proof of property ownership. The property owner will need to verify ownership from time to time to keep your card active.

    For an eCard:

    1. Valid email address.
    2. Physical address within our service area* where you receive mail.
    3. Proof of property ownership. The property owner will need to verify ownership from time to time to keep your card active.
    Live in the service area of a library we have an agreement with All-Access Library Card
    1. Proof of address.
    2. Photo ID that shows your date of birth.

    Own property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with

     

    Are married to someone who owns property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with

     

    Are younger than 18 and your parent or guardian owns property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with

    		All-Access Library Card
    1. Proof of address.
    2. Photo ID that shows your date of birth.
    3. Proof of property ownership. The property owner will need to verify ownership from time to time to keep your card active.
    Are living in our service area* temporarily (longer than one month but less than six months) All-Access Library Card with limited checkout
    1. Photo ID that shows your date of birth.
    2. Permanent residence address.
    3. Local temporary address.
    Don't have a residence All-Access Library Card with limited checkout           
    1. Photo ID that shows your date of birth.
    2. A mailing address or phone number.
    Don't have photo ID PC Only card
    1. Whatever contact information you have. Examples: a mailing address or phone number.
    Don't live or own property in our service area* or the service area of a library we have an agreement with PC Only card
    1. Photo ID that shows your date of birth.

    Versión en español: ¿Cómo obtengo una tarjeta de la biblioteca?

    It depends! Please visit any of our libraries and ask a staff member about the status of your account.

    You can also check the list below to find out if one of the scenarios apply to you.

    If you have used your King County Library System library card in the last two years:
    Your account is active in our system. Most active cards do not expire or need you to renew them. Checking out items or logging on to a public computer at the library helps to keep your card active.

    If you have not used your card in the last two years and it had no fines or fees:
    Your account is likely no longer in our system. If you would like to apply for a new card, please visit a library or apply online.

    Regardless of when you last used your card:
    If your account had late fines but no other charges before we cleared all late fines, it is active in our system. 

    If your account still has more than $75 after we cleared fines, such as in lost or damaged item fees:
    You will need to pay that balance down to $75 or less before you can check out physical items again. 

     

    Talk to staff during your next visit, or fill out our online application.

    If you use the online form, your card number will change. When we fill your request, we'll replace the card number in your account. 

    You can keep your existing card number if you get a new card at a library. Tell staff you would like to keep your card number when you request your new card.

    You can only use public computers at the library. You can't check out items.

    The card will expire after 12 months if you don't renew it.

    Find out who can get a library card.

    You can: 

    • Check out up to 5 items at a time.
    • Place holds.
    • Use public computers.

    The card will expire after 12 months if you don't renew it.

    Find out who can get a library card.

    No. If you owe more than $75 in lost fees, you won’t be able to borrow physical items. You will need to pay that balance down to $75 or less before you can check out physical items again. 

    Call or visit your library. There isn't a way to change your address in your account online.

    You can use these documents to provide proof of address for your library account.

    Photo identification with birth date.

    One of the following is required for adults.

    Document may be current or expired.

    • Acceptable examples include:
    • Driver’s License
    • Passport
    • Washington ID Card
    • U.S. Military ID
    • Matricula Consular (issued by Mexican government)

    AND

    Address verification matching qualifying residential address and given name.

    One of the following is required for adults and minors.

    Document must be current.

    Acceptable examples include:

    • Washington Driver’s License
    • Washington ID Card
    • Printed Checks
    • Utility Bill (printout of online bill acceptable)
    • Apartment Lease
    • Voter’s Registration
    • King County Tax Bill
    • Other (Must be of a legal or permanent nature)

    AND 

    Proof of property ownership if you:

    • Own property in but don't live in our service area*
    • Are married to someone who owns property in but doesn't live in our service area*
    • Are younger than 18 and your parent or guardian owns property in our service area*
    • Own property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with
    • Are married to someone who owns property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with
    • Are younger than 18 and your parent or guardian owns property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with

    Acceptable examples include:

    • Property tax statement
    • Mortgage statement
    • Deed
    • Name is listed in the King County Parcel Viewer

    If you are unable to access a community library in person, you may provide verification via email. Please reach out to your preferred library for details.

    *Our service area includes all of King County except for Seattle, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.

    No. eCards are only available to people who live or own property inside the King County Library System (KCLS) service area. Our service area includes all of King County except for Seattle, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.

    Residents of reciprocal library systems can get a card that needs to be activated in person. Apply online for an all-access card. You can activate your card in person at one of our libraries. You will need proof of address and photo ID that shows your date of birth. You'll receive instructions to complete the process when you get your card in the mail.

    Help us help you by answering a few questions.

    Where did you get your King County Library System (KCLS) library account?

    • I applied online.     
      • My account number starts with 0.  
        • You most likely have an all-access account. Please contact your local KCLS library or Ask KCLS for help.
      • My account number starts with 9.  
        • Chances are you started with an eCard account. Please contact Ask KCLS for help.
      • My account number is my phone number.  
        • You have an OverDrive only account. If you need help with it, please contact OverDrive via email at privacy@overdrive.com.
      • I don’t know what kind of account I have.  
        • No problem. We can help. Please contact Ask KCLS for help. 
    • I applied in person at a KCLS library.    
      • Chances are you have an all-access account. Please contact your local library or Ask KCLS for help. 
    • My school gave me a KCLS account.    
      • Are you a student or a teacher? Please contact Ask KCLS for help.

    Contact us to close your account. You'll need to provide your name and barcode number or your name and address.

    You are responsible for all materials checked out on your library card. If your library card is lost or has been stolen, contact us immediately to deactivate your account.

    To reactivate your account, bring your photo ID (with birth date) to any KCLS library.

  • Online Library eCards

    If your application was within the 60 days, call Ask KCLS or any library for help. You will need to provide:  

    • your confirmation code from the letter we sent you 
    • your full name 
    • the address from your application, and  
    • your phone number.  

    Staff will be able to confirm your account. Every time you use your eCard, your account will be renewed for two years. 

    The letter takes a week to 10 days to arrive. If you don’t receive the letter within 14 days, please contact Ask KCLS or any KCLS library for help.  

    If you waited more than 60 days to confirm your eCard account, you must reapply. You will receive a new account number and a new confirmation number. We cannot recover your old number or activate your old holds associated with your old library card number. 

    Try the last four digits of your phone number. If you haven't set up a PIN/password, it defaults to the last four digits of the phone number in your library account.

    If that doesn't work, reset your PIN/password using your library card number. Or, show photo ID to staff at the library.

    We offer a special type of eCard called an Instant Digital Card. You'll need to enter a campaign code when you sign up for this type of card.

    You can get an Instant Digital Card if you:

    Instant Digital Cards only provide access to our OverDrive digital collection. The account expires after 2 years.

    To apply for an Instant Digital Card, you must provide all of the following information:

    • Mobile phone number that can receive text messages.
    • First and last name.
    • Campaign code.

    To get a campaign code, please ask a staff member at your library.

    It only takes minutes to apply for an eCard and you don't need to go to your neighborhood library. eCards give you instant access to online offerings of:

    • streaming music and film
    • eBooks
    • online magazines
    • research databases
    • exam preparation tools
    • online classes

    Yes. Go to any KCLS library and show current photo ID that has your name and date of birth on it. Staff will confirm your address. You may keep your current card number but you will no longer be able to check out print library materials, DVDs or CDs, reserve or use library PCs or print.

    Call Ask KCLS or any KCLS library for assistance. You will need to provide your full name, home address, mailing address (if different than home address), and phone number. If you are under age 17 you will need to provide the name of the parent or guardian you listed when you applied.

    An eCard is a library card that people who live in the King County Library System (KCLS) service area can apply for and use only for online library services.

    The application asks for your:  

    • full name 
    • phone number 
    • date of birth 
    • email address and  
    • residential address

    The residential address must be in King County, but not in Seattle, Hunt’s Point or Yarrow Point.

    The Seattle Public Library offers an Overdrive account. This account allows people in their service area to use their Overdrive eBook collection.  

    These other library systems also offer eCards: 

    • Bellingham Public Library 
    • Kitsap Regional Library 
    • Pierce County Library System 
    • Whatcom County Library System  

    Check with those library systems for details. 

    The application uses an automated process to verify the details you provided. 

     An eCard application might be denied for reasons that include the following: 

    • The application wasn’t able to confirm that your address is inside our service area.  
    • You live in Seattle, Hunts Point, or Yarrow Point. Residents of Seattle, Hunts Point and Yarrow Point do not qualify. 
    • You already have a King County Library System account. You may have an all-access account or an eCard, but not both. 
    • You live in an apartment building, condominium, retirement home or other residence that the application reads as a business address, not residential. 

    Please contact Ask KCLS or staff at your neighborhood library for help with your application. 

    The online library is just a part of what the library offers. All-access card holders may check out up to 100 items. This includes DVDs, magazines, CDs, print books and audiobooks. 

    An all-access card also allows you to reserve and use public PCs and printers when libraries are open.  

    Anyone who lives or owns property in King County can get eCards-except for Seattle, Hunts Point or Yarrow Point. Hunts Point and Yarrow Point residents have not opted in to receive library service from the King County Library System. Seattle residents qualify for an all-access card under a reciprocal agreement.

    After your application goes through you will get a letter in the mail with a confirmation number. You have 60 days from the day your account opened to go to kcls.org/confirmaccount and type in the confirmation number from the letter. The letter takes a week to ten days to arrive. Your account is good for two years once you confirm your account and extended for two years thereafter every time you use your eCard.

    Yes. Go to any King County Library System library. Provide your eCard number along with current photo ID that has your name and date of birth on it. Staff will ask you to show proof of your home address. You may use any of the documents on this list. With the all-access library card you can check out print library materials, DVDs or CDs, and reserve or use library computers or printers.

  • Residents and property owners outside of KCLS service area

    KCLS issues library cards to residents and property owners from neighboring counties and library systems that have reciprocal borrowing agreements with us.

    Under a Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement between KCLS and SPL, residents who are served by Seattle Public Library can get a library card to borrow items from KCLS. Live in Seattle? See Seattle Residents FAQs.

    See also: How do I get a library card? FAQ.

    As a courtesy to other library systems and partner school districts, we make every attempt to return items turned in at our locations. King County Library System (KCLS) items are often returned to other library systems too. These other systems include The Seattle Public Library, Sno-Isle Libraries, and Pierce County Library System.

    As part of our reciprocal agreements we return items to and pick up our items from other library systems. The drop-off and pick-up schedule varies by library system. We exchange with The Seattle Public Library most often, once a week. The items returned are checked in by the owning library after the exchange.

    We mail school books to districts, with a note inside with the date when the item was returned to one of our locations.

    Physical items 50 holds

    *Seattle city residents may place up to 10 holds

    OverDrive eBooks and downloadable audiobooks 25 holds, 25 checkouts

    Live in Seattle? See Seattle Residents FAQs.

    No. Selling library cards is counter to our mission of providing free and open access to library services for all, regardless of one's ability to pay.

    You may suggest titles for purchase. Reciprocal borrowing privileges do not include ILL. 

    We have reciprocal borrowing agreements with the following Washington counties and library systems. If you live or own property in these counties and systems, you can get a reciprocal card, except where noted.

    Within King County

    County System Exclusions
    King Seattle Public Library

    Hunts Point

    Yarrow Point

    Outside of King County

    County System Exclusions
    Chelan  NCW Libraries  
    Clallam North Olympic Library System  
    Clark Fort Vancouver Regional Library Camas
    Cowlitz - only Woodland Fort Vancouver Regional Library  
    Douglas NCW Libraries

    Mansfield

    Rock Island
    Ferry NCW Libraries  
    Grant NCW Libraries

    Hartline

    Marlin
    Grays Harbor Timberland Regional Library Ocean Shores
    Island Sno-Isle Regional Library  
    Kitsap Kitsap Regional Library  
    Jefferson

    Jefferson County Rural Library District

    Port Townsend Public Library

    		  
    Klickitat Fort Vancouver Regional Library  
    Lewis Timberland Regional Library

    Mossy Rock

    Napavine

    PeEll

    Vader
    Mason Timberland Regional Library  
    Okanogan NCW Libraries Conconully
    Pacific Timberland Regional Library  
    Pierce

    Milton Public Library (annexed to Pierce County Library System)

    Pierce County Library System

    Puyallup Public Library

    Tacoma Public Library

    Carbonado

    Fircrest

    Roy

    Ruston

    If you live in Tacoma, you must have a valid Tacoma Public Library card before you can get a reciprocal card from us.
    Skamania Fort Vancouver Regional Library  
    Snohomish

    Everett Public Library 

    Sno-Isle Regional Library

    		 Woodway
    Thurston Timberland Regional Library  

    Yes. You can get a KCLS card if you own property in King County. You must provide staff with proof of owning property within our service area.

    Yes. Seattle residents have the following reciprocal borrowing privileges:

    • 10 holds and 100 checkouts for physical items.
    • 25 holds and 25 checkouts for OverDrive eBooks and downloadable audiobooks.

    Live in Seattle? See Seattle Residents FAQs.

  • Seattle Residents

    Contact the King County Department of Assessments if you disagree with your tax coding.

    State law RCW 27.12.360 prohibits our separate systems from merging due to the size of the population of the City of Seattle.

    Yes. You must show proof of owning property within our service area.

    Yes, KCLS and SPL are two separate library systems. SPL receives operating funds from City of Seattle to serve residents within Seattle city limits. KCLS serves residents outside Seattle city limits and receives funds from King County taxpayers who live in those municipalities.

    Yes, effective June 1, 2015, Seattle residents with a King County Library System card can borrow and place holds on items in the collection.

    Physical materials 100 simultaneous checkouts 10 holds
    OverDrive eBooks and downloadable audiobooks 25 simultaneous checkouts 25 holds