Yes. You can suggest titles in Libby by using a Notify Me tag. Find out how.
Contactless Services FAQs
-
General Questions
Yes. If the item is scheduled to be published within 3 months of the purchase request.
No.
No. Surprise bags are no longer available.
-
24-Hour Lockers
When you place a hold from the online catalog, choose either:
Bothell Lockers, 24-hour pickup, holds held 3 days.
Covington Lockers, 24-hour pickup, holds held 3 days.
Federal Way 320th Lockers, 24-hour pickup, holds held 3 days.
Kirkland Lockers, 24-hour pickup, holds held 3 days.
Normandy Park Lockers, 24-hour pickup, holds held 3 days.
Woodinville Lockers, 24-hour pickup, holds held 3 days.
If you have Single-Click holds turned on, you’ll want to turn it off. This will give you the option to choose a locker.
You’ll be notified by phone or email when your item is ready for pickup. You'll have three days to pick it up.
You’ll be notified when your item is ready for pickup.
You have three days to pick up your hold. The lockers are available 24/7.
When you arrive, enter your library card number and PIN/password on the screen.
Once you enter your information, a locker door will open to release your hold. This will open the locker door for all your items. If you sent more than one hold to the locker, you may see several doors open.
When the door opens, your items are checked out, so be sure to take all your items. If you find that you don’t want an item anymore, return that item to the library's manual book drop.
It depends on the size of the items. The lockers can hold several items.
Books to Grow on Kits will not fit in the locker. Staff will notify you when your items are too large for a locker and need to be picked up inside the library instead.
Use the contact forms to email Ask KCLS, or call (425) 462-9600 or (800) 462-9600.
There are a limited number of lockers, so it may take longer for your hold to become available. If you need your hold quickly, please request pickup inside the library.
Lockers are only for picking up items, not for returns. Continue to use an open book drop to return your items. Book drops are open 24/7.
Contact Ask KCLS or call (425) 462-9600 or (800) 462-9600 for help using lockers.
No, you'll need to contact Ask KCLS during normal business hours.
It may take longer for your hold to be processed since there is a limited number of lockers.
If you need your hold quickly, please place a hold for pickup inside the library.
No, we are not accepting returns through the locker. Please use the book drop.
You don't need your physical library card, but you will need your card number and PIN/password. You will type these on the screen.
Lockers at four locations were paid for by our Foundation. Lockers at two locations were paid for by a grant.
The KCLS Foundation funded the lockers located at the Bothell, Covington, Federal Way 320th and Kirkland Libraries.
A portion of the $364,480 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant awarded to KCLS in October 2021 funded the lockers at the Tukwila and Woodinville Libraries. This grant is supported with ARPA funding provided by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
We may explore the possibility of purchasing additional lockers if more funding becomes available.
You can return them to the manual book drop or Self-Checkin station at any King County Library System library.
Library lockers are available 24/7.
No, the locker is not connected to the online catalog. You will need to use your library card number.
-
Returns
You can return items to any library in our system.
Return items to the manual book drop or Self-Check-in outside. Staff will also take returns in person. You can give items such as kits to staff to check in during your visit.
Please call the library where you returned your materials.
Book drops and Self-Check-in are open on days that libraries are closed. However, we aren't available to assist if book drops are full or if Self-Check-in is out of order while we're closed. If Self-Check-in is out of order after hours, please return items to your library's book drop.
Return kits at any library. You will need to go into the library and ask staff where to place the item.
-
Online Collections and Services
Wi-Fi remains on after normal library hours at some locations.
King County Library System cardholders can use the following services:
Don’t have a card yet? Do you live in King County but not in Seattle, Yarrow Point, or Hunts Point? Apply for an eCard. You can use your eCard instantly to borrow eBooks, stream movies, and more.
Students have full access to all of the following through their student account:
- eBooks and audiobooks (for kids, for teens).
- Databases (for kids, for teens).
- Online homework help.
- Digital magazines (for kids)
A student account is a library account that uses a student's ID number instead of a physical library card. All public school districts in King County (except the Seattle School District) participate in our student account program.
Visit the Students page for details.
We're open for phone, email, and chat. Visit our Contact Us page for hours and contact information.
Stay connected to updates from your library by: