In-Library and Contactless Services
Visit a library to browse collections. Print or use a computer. Or you can pick up library materials outdoors in a variety of contactless ways.
Several libraries have reopened with modified in-building services. New health rules are in place. Other libraries will be added in the coming weeks. 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. Use computers, copiers, and printers. Get socially-distanced help from staff. Stop by to use modified services inside some library buildings.
Pick Up Holds at Curbside to Go
Pick up holds or surprise bags by appointment outside of the library. We'll email you when your items are ready. You'll have seven days to pick them up.
Pick Up Holds at Express
Pick up holds without an appointment at an Express Holds pickup window. Or, use Self-Check-Out in the meeting room. We'll email you when your items are ready. You'll have seven days to pick them up.
Pick Up Holds from a 24/7 Locker
Pick up holds anytime at exterior lockers. 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.
Return Items
Return all items through the manual book drop. Items will be quarantined – and stay on your account – for at least 24 hours before we check them in.
Print from Your Own Device
Print for free using your weekly printing allowance. Print from your device, pick up your prints by appointment at Curbside to Go.
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.
Wear a mask at all times. Mask must cover your nose and mouth. Vented masks, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not acceptable.
Stay at least 6 feet from anyone else in the area.
Have a question? Need help?
We're open for phone, email, and chat.
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Yes. You can place new holds, activate suspended holds, and pick up holds. You will get an email notification when your holds are available.
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There are several ways to schedule a contactless hold pickup for any locations offering Curbside.
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- Download and use the myLIBRO app, opens a new window.
- Log in with your library card number and PIN/password on our myLIBRO site, opens a new window.
- Call your local Curbside to Go library, opens a new window.
- Go to your local Curbside to Go library during Curbside hours and ask staff for help.
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When a new hold arrives, there is a 3-hour window where it is in "reserved/pending" status. This gives staff time to perform work to get it ready. After 3-hours, the status changes to "ready to pickup" and then you can schedule in the myLIBRO app.
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Surprise bags are bags selected by librarians and library staff by age and interest. Surprise bags are available at Curbside to Go locations. Surprise Bags are five items each, and there is a three bag per patron limit.
myLIBRO app users can request a bag when picking up holds at most locations without having items ready for pickup. If you don’t see the option to add a Surprise Bag at your location, you can ask for a bag in the “Arrival Notes” field when you arrive.Walk-up patrons can ask when making their appointment.
myLIBRO website users can request a bag when making an appointment.
Related FAQs:
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Express Holds is a quick and easy way to pick up your holds. It does not require an advance call or appointment in the myLIBRO app. Staff will check out your holds upon arrival. Look for the Express Holds sign.
Express Holds pickup is available at these libraries.
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Express Holds pickup is a walk-up service. You do not need to call or use the myLIBRO app to schedule a pickup appointment.
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No. Visit the library during open hours to browse and select library materials. Staff will be available to help in your selection.
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No. Visit the library during regular hours and pick up your holds. No appointment is necessary.
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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 instead of picking up your holds at Curbside to Go.
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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 have a limit of $1.50 for printed pages each week. Preview your print job carefully before you upload it. If you do not have enough credit for your entire print job staff are unable to print it. You can print up to 10 black and white pages OR 3 color pages each week.
Letter, 8 1/2" x 11"
A black and white page is $0.15.
A color page is $0.50. -
No, there is not a limit to the number of print jobs. 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 staff are unable to print it.
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Call your print pickup library, they can check for you.
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You can pay to print more pages at a location that is open for in-library service. You will need go into the building to do that.
You cannot pay for more pages at Curbside or Express Holds pickup.
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All returns must be made through the manual book drop outside.
Staff will not take returns in person. Self check-in machines will not be available. This allows us to quarantine items for 24 hours before we check them in.
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Most of them are open 24/7. If your local library is not please see if another location would work better for you. Find the list of libraries and their book drop hours on our locations page.
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Please don't worry about returning kits right now. We would prefer that you hang on to them for now.
We've extended the loan periods for Books to Grow On boxes and we aren't charging fines until further notice, opens a new window.
Can't wait to return the kit because you're moving, or some other reason?
You can return kits at libraries that have reopened. You will need to go into the library and ask staff where to place the item. Since all returns are contactless, you won't be able to hand kits to staff. Instead, you may need to wait while staff find a cart or table for you to place the item on. -
Returned items will be quarantined – and remain on your account – for a minimum of 24 hours before we check them in.
If you return items by closing on Tuesday, they will be checked in on Thursday.
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.
Visit our blog to learn more about what's different during the pandemic. How COVID-19 Changes Your Library Experience.
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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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You may browse the collection and use computers, copiers, and printers. Socially-distanced chairs and tables may be available. Get help from staff. Services may vary by location.
At locations that have in-library service 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 drops outside.
- Apply for or activate a library card.
- Use the restroom.
You won't be able to:
- Use a water fountain, eat, or drink.
- Use a meeting or study room.
- Attend events.
- Buy books from or donate books to Friends Book Sales.
- Give items to staff at the desk to check in.
- 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 unless the location is also offering Curbside.
At locations that only have in-library services, you won't be able to:
- Schedule a contactless hold, surprise bag, or printing pickup.
- Walk up for a contactless hold, surprise bag, or printing pickup.
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You will not be able to make an appointment to guarantee admission. Visitors will be admitted on a first come, first served basis.
- When you arrive, you will line up outside.
- Please make sure your mask is on.
- Each member of your group will be counted, including babies. Staff will let in up to 25-50% of the building occupancy at a time. The number of people we can admit depends on each building's size. If there isn't enough space for your full group, you will need to wait for the next open hour.
For safety, libraries will be open for either one hour or three hours at a time, followed by an hour of cleaning. The library will be closed during cleaning. Libraries will be open at specific times for entry. Libraries will be closed at specific times throughout the day for cleaning. Be sure to check your library's location page for up-to-date information.
Here’s an example of how this works:
- When you arrive, line up for entry.
- If you arrived at 1:15pm and there is room for you to enter, you will be able to stay for 45 minutes, until the session ends at 2pm.
- If we do not have the capacity, you will need to wait until 3pm, the next available time slot.
- From 2-3pm, staff will be cleaning the library. Check the library location page for up-to-date in-library hours.
Do you need accessibility accommodations?
Find out who to talk to about an accommodation.
Send your holds to a library that offers contactless services.
Why is my library open for visits one or three hours at a time?
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Yes. Check your library's location page.
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For safety, libraries will be open for either one hour or three hours at a time, followed by an hour of cleaning. The building will be closed while staff are cleaning it.Libraries will be open for entry and closed for cleaning at specific times. Check your library's location page for up-to-date information.
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Apply online.
Or, apply in person at a location that is open for Curbside to Go or in-library service.
- Stop by during Curbside to Go or in-library visit hours.
- Bring photo ID and proof of your address.
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Yes. We are temporarily unblocking cards even as libraries start to 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 while we are closed to the public.
- 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 during Curbside to Go or In-library service 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.
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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 two-item checkout limit.
*Our service area includes all of King County except for Seattle, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.
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Yes. You can place new holds, activate suspended holds, and pick up holds. You will get an email notification when your holds are available.
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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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We are not charging late fees until further notice, even as libraries reopen. All late fees accrued since March 1, 2020 are currently waived until further notice.
All due dates and renewal limits are currently in effect.
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Yes. At libraries that are reopening, 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 as libraries reopen.
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At libraries open for in-building services:
You will be able to pay fines at the cash register.
At libraries open for Contactless curbside services:
We are not able to take payment for fines.
We are not charging late fees until further notice, even as 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.
