Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a student account?

  A student account is a special kind of library account. It uses a student's ID number or college email address instead of a physical library card.   K-12 and college students at most schools in our service area can get a student account. Our service area includes most of King County, outside of the city of Seattle. 

  • Student accounts provide full access to:  
  • eBooks and downloadable materials.
  • Databases for research and homework help  

  Student accounts do not allow students to:  

  • Check out physical materials from libraries.  
  • Use public computers inside the library. 
  • Print from library printers.  

  These accounts don’t have a physical card. 

• How do I find my student account login?

  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  

  • school-issued identification number or  
  • college-issued email address.  

  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. 

  Bellevue Children’s Academy: bca followed by student ID number
  Willows Preparatory School: bca followed by student ID number

  K-12 schools 

  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
  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	bca followed by school ID number
  Woodinville Montessori	wms followed by student ID number

  Colleges 

  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
  Washington Technology University	WTU followed by student ID number

  Trouble logging in?

  Contact Ask KCLS.

• How do I start using my student account? 

  To start using online library resources with your student account: 

  1. Go to the Student Accounts page (kcls.org/students). 
  2. Choose your grade level.  
  3. Click on the online resource you want to use.  
  4. Log in with your student account when prompted.  
  5. Do not use the “Log In/My KCLS” button at the top of the KCLS website.

• Why am I getting a message that says "Your user ID or PIN is incorrect" when I try to log in to my student account?

  There are a couple of reasons why you might get this error. 

  1. You might be in our catalog. 

  Did you go to KCLS.org and click on "Log In / My KCLS" in the upper right? This "Log In" link will take you to the catalog of books and other physical items. You'll know if you're in the catalog if you see "bibliocommons" in the URL like this:  

  https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/ 

  Since student accounts only provide access to online resources, you won't be able to log in to the catalog.  

  Instead, start by going to the student accounts page.  

  Choose your school level.  

  Click on the online resource you want to use (eBooks and downloadable audiobooks, Tutor.com, etc.). Then, log in when prompted. 

  2. Your parent or caregiver may have opted you out of student accounts. Check with your school district to find out.

• Which K-12 schools and colleges have student accounts?

  All public school districts in King County except the Seattle School District. Several private schools and colleges also have student accounts. Check for your school on the full list, opens a new window.