Plan Your Visit
Visit a library to browse collections. Return items 24/7. Print from your own device or use a computer.
All libraries are open.
Find out how to use any of these services in the frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page.
Visit a Library
Browse the collection. Pick up holds. Use computers, copiers, and printers. Attend an in-person event. Get help from staff.
Pick Up Holds from a 24/7 Locker
Pick up holds anytime at lockers outside the library. We'll call or email you when your items are ready. You'll have three days to pick them up.
Print from Your Own Device
Send a document to a library printer. Then, drop by to print it inside the library. Print for free using your weekly printing allowance.
Use a Library Computer
Log in to a public computer with your library card. Print for free using your weekly printing allowance. Drop by to check for an available computer. Or, make a reservation.
Reserve a Meeting Room
Request a space to host a meeting or telework at your library.
Please do not use the library if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Masks are no longer required while inside the library.
Staff are following direction from Human Resources on continued masking.
Have a question? Need help?
We're open for phone, email, and chat.
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Services may vary by location. Socially-distanced chairs and tables may be available.
During your visit, you can:
- Check out holds.
- Browse the collection.
- Browse newspapers or magazines.
- Use a computer or printer.
- Use the copier/scanner.
- Send a fax.
- Return items to the manual book drop or Self-Check-in station outside.
- Give items to staff at the desk to check in.
- Apply for, or activate, a library card.
- Use the restroom.
- Get help from staff.
- Use a meeting room.
- Use a study room at some libraries.
- Attend events.
- Use a library Makerspace.
- Donate books to Friends Book Sales.
You won't be able to:
- Pick up a surprise bag.
- Pick up curbside holds.
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Check your library's location page for up-to-date information. You can find new hours on your library's location page.
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Even though hours have expanded, they aren't yet what they were pre-pandemic. We've considered many factors to determine community needs. Those factors include current trends in library use.
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Libraries are open for at least 7 hours per day. You may stay as long you like during open hours.
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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.
Tukwila 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.
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You’ll be notified by phone or email when your item is ready for pickup. You'll have three days to pick it up.
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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.
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It depends on the size of the items. The lockers can hold several items.
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You can use a computer at any library.
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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.
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Sanitizing wipes will be available for patron use and staff will periodically sanitize surfaces in the library.
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Yes, you can use a library computer to send print jobs.
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Send a document to a library printer using our online form. After you've sent your document, drop by to pick up prints inside the library. You can pick up in as little as one hour.
1. Preview the document on your device and check the number of pages.
- You can print up to $1.50 each week for free with your library card's weekly print allowance. That gives you up to 10 black and white or 3 color pages each week.
- You have the option to pay for more prints.
2. Send the document to a library that's open for visits. Send your document at least one hour before you will pick it up. You'll have 12 hours to pick up any documents you've requested. Print requests are deleted after 12 hours. Be sure to check your pickup location's hours before you send your document.
- Find your pickup library in the Pickup Library list.
- Use the form to send the document to your library's black and white or color printer.
3. After you've sent your document, drop by your pickup location.
4. When you arrive at your pickup library, go to the self-serve print release station.
5. Log in at the print release station to print your document. You'll use the same email address you used to send your document.
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People with an all-access library card number can request prints. New accounts may not be in the print system. Call your print pickup location if you are unable to upload your print job.
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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:
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up to ten black and white pages
OR - three color pages each week for free.
If you don't have enough credit for your entire print or copy job, you have the option to pay for more pages.
Additional pages of letter-size (8 1/2" x 11") prints and copies cost:
- $0.15 for black and white.
- $0.50 for color.
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up to ten black and white pages
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No, there is not a limit to the number of print jobs in your weekly print allowance. There is a limit to the number of pages. Preview your print job before you upload it.
If you do not have enough credit for your entire print job you have the option to pay for more prints.
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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.
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Please call the library where you returned your materials.
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Items were due on July 31, 2020.
All due dates and renewal limits are currently in effect. We will start charging late fines again on September 15.
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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.
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Wi-Fi remains on, during normal library hours, until further notice. Connectivity outside the library building varies by location. Comcast has some low-cost options for people without internet access at home.
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As of August 1, 2017, Wi-Fi hotspots are no longer available for checkout.
The hotspot checkout service that was available at select libraries for 15 months was designed as a pilot; a one time-limited opportunity to try something new and learn as much as possible with the support of grant funding. At this time, we are unable to adopt this service system-wide.
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By their very nature, public Wi-Fi networks are not secure.
If security is important to you, we suggest connecting to a VPN or limiting your Wi-Fi use to non-critical email and basic web surfing.
To increase security, use firewall and antivirus software, keep your operating system up to date, turn file sharing off, and encrypt sensitive files.
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Free Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) is available at all of our libraries. No password is needed to connect.
Using your computer's network utilities, look for the Wi-Fi network named "kcls.org Wireless."
Due to the variety of computer systems, library staff may not be able to help visitors configure their own equipment.
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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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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?
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Yes. If you owe more than $25 in late fees, we unblocked your account on May 4. You will be able to use the card online and to borrow physical items again.
Starting on September 15, you will not be able to borrow items if you owe more than $25 in late fines or lost materials.
If your account is still blocked after May 4, contact your library or Ask KCLS. There may be another issue that needs attention. For example, you might need to update the address in your account.
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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, downloadable audiobooks, and video 25 items OverDrive magazines No checkout limits hoopla digital music, movies, TV, and comics 10 items per month Kanopy streaming movies 5 items per month. No holds. 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 login or borrow items from OverDrive or hoopla.
Versión en español:¿Cuántos artículos me puedo llevar prestados?
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Books, CDs, cassettes, CD-ROMs, LPs, kits, players, DVD sets with runtime of 5 hours and label 28 days OverDrive: - eBooks
- downloadable audiobooks
- magazines
hoopla digital comics
21 days Magazines, DVDs with runtime of less than 5 hours, video cassettes, hoopla digital music, OverDrive video 7 days hoopla digital video 3 days (72 hours) Most Media Equipment (use in library only) 1 day Reusable KCLS bags 1 year, 2 renewals Versión en español:¿Qué debo saber sobre préstamos de la biblioteca?
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Checkout and holds limits vary by service. Please visit How many items may I check out?, opens a new window
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Except for media equipment, physical items that are not on hold for another borrower may be renewed up to five times, until further notice.
OverDrive digital downloads that are not on hold for another borrower may be renewed once.
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The pandemic placed many hardships on King County communities. To help, we temporarily stopped assessing late fines in March 2020. We will start charging late fines again on September 15. We understand patrons may have accumulated overdue materials during the pandemic. You will have until September 15 to return items before late fines resume.
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You will receive a late fine if you do not return library materials by the due date.
You will receive a lost or damaged fee when library materials are damaged or are more than 30 days overdue. If library materials are more than 30 days overdue, they are considered lost.
On May 4, we began processing lost fees. We will mail billing notices to accounts with over $25 in fees. You will have until September 15 to pay fees or return items before accounts are blocked.
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Late fine collection is unpredictable. Based on historical activity, we could expect to collect up to $468,000 from cleared accounts. We received a $208,000 grant from the KCLS Foundation to help offset uncollected revenue for 2022.
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Please contact your library if you or someone you know is struggling to pay fines or fees. We are happy to help find a solution.
