Some Kindle titles are exclusive to Amazon and not available through Overdrive. We purchase Kindle editions whenever possible. If a Kindle edition is available through Amazon, we can submit a request to OverDrive. This does not guarantee that we'll be able to add the Kindle edition.
Please contact Ask KCLS if there is a Kindle edition showing on Amazon.com.
Related: Digital Content | OverDrive eBooks
Apply online.
Or, apply in person at the library. Bring photo ID and proof of your address.
What documents do I need to show to get a library account?
Find locations and open hours.
Versión en español: ¿Cómo obtengo una tarjeta de la biblioteca?
Related: Library Cards
A full-access King County Library System (KCLS) library card in good standing may borrow:
| All items except downloads | Maximum of 100 items |
| OverDrive eBooks and downloadable audiobooks | 25 items |
| OverDrive magazines | No checkout limits |
| hoopla digital music, movies, TV, and comics | 10 items per month |
| Kanopy streaming movies | 10 tickets per month. No holds. Learn more about Kanopy tickets. |
| Estante Infinito streaming movies and performing arts | 99 tickets per day per person |
| Estante Infinito streaming TV | No checkout limits |
KCLS is not responsible for damage to equipment that occurs while using library-owned material.
Patrons who have reached the maximum number of physical checkouts are not able to log in or borrow items from OverDrive or hoopla.
Versión en español:¿Cuántos artículos me puedo llevar prestados?
Related: Borrowing | Borrowing Limits and Loan Periods | Checkouts | Digital Content
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.
Related: Library Cards | Online Library eCards | Password / PIN
Interlibrary loan service provides access to materials that are not in our collection, including:
Related: Interlibrary Loan Requests | Item Request
Some libraries have openings for volunteers to help with programs and services. Please contact your local library for more information.
There are also several opportunities to volunteer online. Check the How to Apply section for details.
Related: How to Apply | Volunteering
|
Books
CDs CD-ROMs LPs Kits Players Most videodiscs (DVDs and Blu-rays), except for feature films and movies |
28 days |
OverDrive
hoopla digital comics |
21 days |
| Magazines Feature film and movie videodiscs (DVDs and Blu-rays) hoopla digital music |
7 days |
| hoopla digital video | 3 days (72 hours) |
| Kanopy digital video |
3-7 days (72-168 hours), depending on the film |
| Most Media Equipment (use in library only) | 1 day |
| Estante Infinito streaming movies and performing arts | 48 hours |
| Estante Infinito streaming TV | No checkout limits |
Each student account has a login number that begins with a case-sensitive code. The code identifies a district, school, or college.
The code is followed by either the student’s
There are no dashes or spaces.
The PIN is the last four digits of the student's ID number. See the full list below for login information.
| School District | Student Account Login |
| Auburn School District | 4080 followed by school ID number |
| Bear Creek School | bcs followed by school ID number |
| Bellevue Children's Academy | bca followed by school ID number |
| Bellevue School District | 405 followed by student ID number |
| Bellevue Christian School | bcl followed by student ID number |
| Eastside Catholic School | ecs followed by student ID number |
| Enumclaw School District | 216 followed by student ID number |
| Federal Way Public Schools | 210 followed by student ID number |
| Forest Ridge School | frs followed by school ID number |
| Highline School District | 401 followed by student ID number |
| Issaquah School District | 411 followed by student ID number |
| Kent School District | 415sn followed by student ID number |
| Lake Washington School District | 414 followed by student ID number |
| Mercer Island School District | 400 followed by student ID number |
| Northshore School District | 417 followed by student ID number |
| Rainier Prep | rps followed by student ID number |
| Renton School District | 403 followed by student ID number |
| Riverview School District | 407 followed by student ID number |
| Shoreline School District | 412 followed by student ID number |
| Skykomish School District | 404 followed by student ID number |
| Snoqualmie Valley School District | 410 followed by student ID number |
| Thomas School | sts followed by alpha student code |
| Tahoma School District | 409 followed by student ID number |
| The Overlake School | tos followed by student ID number |
| Tukwila School District | 406s followed by student ID number |
| Vashon Island School District | 402 followed by student ID number |
| Willows Preparatory School | wps followed by school ID number |
| Woodinville Montessori | wms followed by student ID number |
| School District | Student Account Login |
| Bellevue College | BVC followed by student ID number |
| Cascadia College | CAS followed by the primary email on file with the college |
| Highline College | HLC followed by the part of the email address before the @ |
| Green River College | GRC followed by the part of the email address before the @ |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology | LWT followed by the part of the email address before the @ |
| Renton Technical College | RTC followed by student ID number |
| Shoreline Community College | SCC followed by student ID number |
Contact Ask KCLS.
Related: Student Accounts | Student and Teacher Account
You can add new purchase requests using our "Request an Item" form.
Find a link to the form on our website. You no longer need to log in to your online catalog account. Instead, go to the "Books and More" menu at the top of our site. Under "Services," choose "Request Items for Purchase or Interlibrary Loan.”
If you’re using our app, find a link to the new form on the app home screen. Find the "Request items for Purchase or Interlibrary Loan" link under "Explore Further."
Or, find the new link under "Settings". First, select "Share Feedback," then navigate to the "Contact your library directly" section. Then use the link to "Request Items for Purchase or Interlibrary Loan."
For digital items such as eBooks and downloadable audiobooks
Library cardholders in these statuses may request a purchase of digital items using the Notify Me tag on the Libby App:
Related: Item Request | Purchase Requests
You can use interlibrary loan if you have a library card, unless your card has one of the following statuses:
Related: Interlibrary Loan Requests | Item Request
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
Please reach out to your preferred library for details.
Related: Library Cards
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:
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.
Related: Visiting the Library
Wi-Fi remains on after normal library hours at some locations.
Related: Contactless Services | Online Collections and Services | Technology | Visiting the Library | Wi-Fi
Kanopy uses tickets to check out videos. You will receive 10 tickets every month. Each title displays how many tickets are required to view and how long you have to watch a show.
Once you press play on a title, you will use the number of tickets required to view. To avoid using tickets unnecessarily, consider watching the trailer on YouTube first.
Kanopy Kids titles do not cost any tickets to view.
Related: Digital Content | Kanopy
If you’re looking for a specific digital title that we do not have, you can use a Notify Me tag in Libby. Notify Me will alert you if the library buys the title. However, not all publishers sell their content to libraries in digital format. If you cannot find a title in Libby’s catalog, then we cannot buy the item. You can learn how to use Notify Me with this tutorial or video.
Related: Digital Content | Item Request | OverDrive Audiobooks | OverDrive eBooks | Purchase Requests
Typically 2 to 4 weeks, depending upon the number of libraries that own the item and its availability. Specialized items may take longer.
Related: Interlibrary Loan Requests | Item Request
You have a limit of $1.50 each week in your library card's print allowance. You can use the allowance on library printers or copiers.
With the allowance, you can print or copy:
If you don't have enough credit for your entire print or copy request, you have the option to pay for more pages.
Additional pages of letter-size (8 1/2" x 11") prints and copies cost:
Related: Printers | Technology
King County Library System (KCLS) libraries are closed on the following holidays each year:
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.
You can still use some contactless and online services while we're closed. Find out how the holidays impact services.
Related: Visiting the Library
The checkout process varies by device.
Don’t see your device listed here? Please visit the OverDrive help site, opens a new window for more instructions or contact Ask KCLS for help.
Related: Digital Content | OverDrive Audiobooks
We do not charge fees but sometimes an item's owning library does. Fees vary and are set by the lending library. Staff will contact you if an item has a cost to borrow before continuing with the request. Indicate how much, if anything, you are willing to pay on the request form. Fees are payable at the library branch when you pick up the item.
Related: Interlibrary Loan Requests | Item Request
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:
For an eCard:
|
|
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:
For an eCard:
|
| Live in the service area of a library we have an agreement with | All-Access Library Card | |
|
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 |
|
| Are living in our service area* temporarily (longer than one month but less than six months) | All-Access Library Card with limited checkout |
|
| Don't have a residence | All-Access Library Card with limited checkout |
|
| Don't have photo ID | PC Only card |
|
| 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 |
Versión en español: ¿Cómo obtengo una tarjeta de la biblioteca?
Related: Library Cards
Most libraries have a Friends, Guild, or Association group.
Get the details about your library's group on the library's About page. You can find your library's About page at the top of its location page. Or, go directly to your library's About page from this list:
We do not charge late fines for items returned after their due date.
We charge replacement fees for lost, damaged, and items returned with pieces missing. We must charge replacement fees by state law.
You will be charged a replacement cost for items that are 60 days overdue.
You will not be able to borrow physical items if you owe more than $75 in fees. You will need to pay that balance down to $75 or less before you can check out physical items again.
We do not send accounts to collections.
You can keep items for three weeks with no renewals. If you need more time we can try to request the item from a different library.
Related: Interlibrary Loan Requests | Item Request
You can renew items that other people aren’t waiting for. If an item has holds, you won’t be able to renew it. Find out how many times you can renew an item.
If your account has a balance of more than $75, you won’t be able to renew any items. You will need to pay that balance down to $75 or less before you can check out physical items again.
Auto-renewal only applies to physical items.
Auto-renewal does not apply to digital collections. That’s because digital items are:
We pay vendors for each new digital checkout, including renewals. For this reason, it is important to confirm that digital renewals are intentional. Please continue to manually renew digital items you’d like to extend.
Yes. You or your small group can reserve a study room. Find a room and request a reservation.
Related: Study Rooms | Visiting the Library
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:
Related: Study Rooms | Visiting the Library
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.
Related: Meeting Rooms | Visiting the Library
Yes. We also continue to offer online and outdoor events. Some events are recorded.
Check our calendar for the current schedule of events.
Related: Attending Events | Events, Classes, and Workshops
After receiving notification that a hold is available, you can do one of the following:
If you take no action, your hold will automatically be suspended as a one-time courtesy for 7 days. If no action is taken a second time, your hold will be canceled.
Related: Borrowing | Digital Content | Holds | OverDrive - Getting Started
You can send a fax for free using Library Document Stations. Fax or scan documents directly to email, cloud storage, or a USB drive.
All libraries have faxing service when they are open for visits.
Related: Copiers, Fax Machines, and Scanners | Technology
Computers are available for one hour. You may be able to use a computer for up to 4 hours if no one else is waiting. Time limits vary by location.
Related: Computers | Technology
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.
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:
AND
Proof of property ownership if you:
Acceptable examples include:
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.
Related: Library Cards
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.
Related: Library Cards
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 |
Related: Library Cards | Residents and property owners outside of KCLS service area
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