Public Records Requests Policy
We provide access to our public records following RCW 42.56 Public Records Act, opens a new window. Find out how to request a copy of or inspect a public document.
Requesting Public Records
King County Library System records are available for public inspection or duplication in accordance with RCW 42.56 Public Records Act.
To request public records, complete the Public Records Request Form online. Or, complete the PDF version of the form and email your request to publicrecords@kcls.org.
Fulfilment of Public Records Requests
We acknowledge receipt of records requests within five business days of receipt. Acknowledgements include reasonable estimates of fulfillment timelines and any applicable copying charges.
Inspection
Public records are available for inspection by appointment at the King County Library System Service Center in Issaquah.
Monday through Friday
9am-noon and 1-4pm, excluding legal holidays or upon official closure of the facility.
To schedule an appointment, email publicrecords@kcls.org.
Copying
We adopted the state statutory default copying charges detailed in RCW 42.56.120, which are subject to change without written notice. As of March 2022, state default charges include:
- 15 cents/page for photocopies or printed copies of electronic records;
- 10 cents/page for records scanned into electronic format;
- 5 cents for every four electronic files or attachments uploaded to an email, cloud storage service, or other electronic delivery system;
- 10 cents/gigabyte for transmitting records electronically;
- The actual cost of the digital storage media/device, container used to mail the copies, and postage or delivery charges;
- The actual cost of custom printing or duplication of records such as photographs, blueprints or tape recordings;
- A customized service charge for requests that would require information technology expertise to prepare data or provide customized electronic access.
Denial of Public Records Requests
We reserve the right to deny requests for public records under provisions of the Public Records Act. If a document is exempt from disclosure, we will specify the reason for the exemption.
Privacy of Library Records
We reserve the right to redact patron information based on RCW 42.56.310, opens a new window. Law enforcement requests to inspect library records must include a search warrant from King County Superior Court.
