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 with modified in-building services. New health rules are in place. Check your library's location page for new hours. Read our Reopening Plan.
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. Get help from staff. Stop by to use modified services inside the library.
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 one day to pick up at Bothell or three days to pick up at Covington.
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.
Connect to Wi-Fi
Use free public Wi-Fi at any library. No password needed. Connectivity outside the building varies by location.
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 required for everyone while inside the library, ages 5 and older. Please let us know if you need a mask and we will be happy to provide it. All library staff members are required to wear a mask.
The mask must cover your nose and mouth. Vented masks, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not acceptable.
Have a question? Need help?
We're open for phone, email, and chat.
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Yes. We will provide reasonable accommodations by request. Find out how to request an accommodation, opens a new window.
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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.
- 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 library Makerspace.
- Donate books to Friends Book Sales.
You won't be able to:
- Use a meeting or study room.
- Attend events.
- Browse newspapers or magazines. Magazines and newspapers will not be available for browsing at in-library locations. Try using our digital magazine collections through the Libby app and PressReader.
- Pick up a surprise bag.
- Pick up curbside holds.
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Curbside pickup needs a lot of staff and space to work well. We don't have enough staff and space at some locations to offer Curbside and reopen all buildings at the same time.
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When you place a hold from the online catalog, choose either:
- Bothell Lockers, 24-hour pickup, holds held 1 day.
- Covington 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 one day to pick it up from the Bothell Locker or three to pick it up from the Covington Locker.
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You’ll be notified when your item is ready for pickup.
- You have one day to pick up your hold at Bothell. You have three days to pick up your hold at Covington. 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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You now have 1 day instead of 3 to pick up holds at Bothell lockers.
We needed to shorten the pickup time so you can get your holds faster. Right now, there's a 5-week wait for a locker spot. Shortening the pickup time is one way we can reduce the wait.
At this time, you still have 3 days to pick up holds at Covington lockers.
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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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Book returns are open 24/7.
Book drops and Self-Check-in are open on Sundays and Mondays when all libraries are closed. Please note that staff do not work in library buildings on Sundays or Mondays. 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.
If the book return at your local library is not open, please return items at another nearby location.
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Return kits at any library. You will need to go into the library and ask staff where to place the item.
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All libraries are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Staff do not check in items on these days.
If you return items by closing on Tuesday, they will be checked in on Tuesday or Wednesday.
If you return items on a Saturday, they will likely remain on your account until Tuesday or Wednesday. This is because the library is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Have concerns about your returns? Please call the library where you returned your materials.
Check out our reopening page to learn more about what's different during the pandemic.
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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.
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Opt in to get text, email, or phone alerts from Message Bee when items are due or ready for pickup.
Call or visit your library to sign up. You won't be able to sign up for or manage alerts online.
Message Bee is replacing Elf, our current notification service. Our subscription to Elf will end on December 31. Find out what to expect with this change.
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Yes. We are temporarily unblocking cards even after libraries reopen.
For the safety of our staff, patrons and community during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have:
- Suspended all collections agency activity. No account will be sent to collections right now.
- Lifted the block on any card which had a fee preventing a user from accessing materials.
Those borrowers now have access to the online library. When we returns to normal operations patrons will be responsible for these fees at a later date.
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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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Some borrowing limits have changed while libraries are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit our blog to find out what's different during the closure.
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.
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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 -
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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You do not need to worry about late fees. We are not charging overdue fines until further notice, even after libraries reopen. We still ask that you please return your items when they are due.
All due dates and renewal limits are currently in effect. Other patrons may have a hold on the item you’re returning.
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Yes. You can use cash at the register to pay for fines, copies, and printing. Staff will assist you.
We are not charging late fees until further notice, even after libraries reopen.
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You can pay fines at the cash register or by logging into your account online.
We are not charging late fees until further notice, even after libraries reopen.
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View your payment history here.
Log in with your library card number and PIN, then click on the payment button.
