Get a Library Account
Start by choosing either an all-access card or an online library eCard. If you already have a physical King County Library System card, you have an all-access account.
Not sure which is the right card for you? See below.
All-Access Library Card
Available to King County residents and property owners and Seattle residents.
If you live or own property in Yarrow Point or Hunts Point, you can't get an All-Access card.
If you live or own property in reciprocal library communities, you may also apply.
With your all-access library card, you can:
- Apply online and get your library card in the mail or in person.
- Check out print books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs from the library.
- Use the online library of eBooks, magazines, films, and music.
- Access online learning, classes, tutorials, language lessons, test prep, and certification.
- Search databases, do research and find business and investment information.
If you already have a physical King County Library System card, you have an all-access account.
You can activate your all-access library card in person at a library during normal open hours. 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.
Online Library eCard
Available to King County residents and property owners, except those listed below.
If you live or own property in Seattle, Yarrow Point, or Hunts Point, you can’t get an eCard. (If you live in Seattle, you can get an All-Access Library Card.)
With your library eCard, you can:
- Apply and confirm online.
- Use your eCard account immediately.
- Use the online library of eBooks, magazines, films, and music.
- Access online classes, tutorials, language lessons, test prep, and certification.
- Search databases, do research and find business and investment information.
Do you already have an eCard? Would you like to be able to check out physical materials? Ask us about how to change your account to an All-Access account.
Your new library eCard account number and PIN arrives by email right after you apply. Don’t see a message? Please Iook in your spam or clutter folder.
In about 10 days, you will also receive a confirmation number by regular mail. You will need to go to our account confirmation page. Then, enter the number from the letter to confirm your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 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.
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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?
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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.
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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 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.
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Library cards are available to anyone who lives or owns property in:
- An area served by the King County Library System.*
- The service area of another library system that has a Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement with us.
Temporary residents staying longer than one month but less than six months may get a Visitor Card with a five-item checkout limit.
*Our service area includes all of King County except for Seattle, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.
Versión en español: ¿Cómo obtengo una tarjeta de la biblioteca?
