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?
Top Questions
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 and downloadable audiobooks | 25 items |
| OverDrive magazines | No checkout limits |
| Ready Reads | No checkout limits |
| Hoopla digital music, movies, TV, and comics | 10 items per month |
| Kanopy streaming movies | 10 tickets per month. |
| Estante Infinito streaming movies and performing arts | 99 tickets per day per person |
| Estante Infinito streaming TV | No checkout limits |
KCLS is not responsible for damage to equipment that occurs while using library-owned material.
Versión en español:¿Cuántos artículos me puedo llevar prestados?
Try the last four digits of your phone number. If you haven't set up a PIN/password, it defaults to the last four digits of the phone number in your library account.
If that doesn't work, reset your PIN/password using your library card number. Or, show photo ID to staff at the library.
Most physical items can be renewed up to two times, as long as the items are not on hold for someone else.
You can renew OverDrive digital titles (eBooks, audiobooks and magazines) one time as long as the items are not on hold for someone else.
Ready Reads, Book Group Kits, interlibrary loans and media equipment cannot be renewed.
| Book Group Kits | 56 days (8 weeks) |
| Books CDs CD-ROMs LPs Kits Players Most video discs (DVDs and Blu-rays) Books to Grow On Ready Reads |
28 days |
OverDrive
Hoopla digital comics |
21 days |
| Magazines Feature film and movie video discs (DVDs and Blu-rays) Hoopla digital music |
7 days |
| Hoopla digital video | 3 days (72 hours) |
| Kanopy digital video | 3-7 days (72-168 hours), depending on the film |
| Most media equipment (use in library only) | 1 day |
| Estante Infinito streaming movies and performing arts | 48 hours |
| Estante Infinito streaming TV | No checkout limits |
You can add new purchase requests using our "Request an Item" form.
Find a link to the form on our website. You no longer need to log in to your online catalog account. Instead, go to the "Books and More" menu at the top of our site. Under "Services," choose "Request Items for Purchase or Interlibrary Loan.”
If you’re using our app, find a link to the new form on the app home screen. Find the "Request items for Purchase or Interlibrary Loan" link under "Explore Further."
Or, find the new link under "Settings". First, select "Share Feedback," then navigate to the "Contact your library directly" section. Then use the link to "Request Items for Purchase or Interlibrary Loan."
For digital items such as eBooks and downloadable audiobooks
Library cardholders in these statuses may request a purchase of digital items using the Notify Me tag on the Libby App:
- All-access cards
- Student cards
- eCards
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 normally needs to be activated in person. Apply online for an all-access card. You can activate your card in person at any 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.
If you are unable to access a community library in person, you may email images of your
- photo ID,
- proof of address, and
- a photo of yourself holding at least one of the documents.
Please reach out to your preferred library for details.
King County Library System (KCLS) libraries are closed on the following holidays each year:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King’s Birthday
- Presidents’ Day
- Easter (Crossroads only)
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving
- Native American Heritage Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
All King County Libraries close early at 5pm on New Year's Eve.
The Crossroads Library also closes on Easter.
The library is located in the Crossroads Mall, which is closed in observance of Easter Sunday.
Plan your visit.
Check individual location pages, opens a new window for current dates specific to your local library. Holiday and closure information is posted on individual location pages. Look for the "Holidays & Closures" box and select "View all Holidays & Closures" to expand the list.
How Holidays Impact Services
You can still use some contactless and online services while we're closed. Find out how the holidays impact services.
Customer Service
Ask KCLS staff are unavailable for email, chat, or phone calls on holidays. Staff are unavailable to respond to questions on our social media accounts.
Digital Access
You will continue to have access to your online account and digital collections. You can download eBooks, stream music and movies, and more. Find digital services that you can use while libraries are closed.
Returns and Locker Holds
Book drops and Self-Check-in stations are open on holidays. You can return items to book drops while we are closed.
Lockers are available as a hold pickup option at select library locations. Lockers are available 24/7. If your holds are ready to be collected from a locker, you can pick them up on a holiday.
Your Next Library Visit
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.
*Our service area includes all of King County except for Seattle, Yarrow Point, and Hunts Point.
Find out who is eligible and what you need to verify eligibility in the chart below. Not sure if you're eligible? Contact us to find out.
| If you: | then you are eligible for: | and you must provide: |
| Live in our service area* | All-Access Library Card or eCard | For an All-Access Library Card:
For an eCard:
|
|
Own property in but don't live in our service area*
Are married to someone who owns property in but doesn't live in our service area*
Are younger than 18 and your parent or guardian owns property in our service area* |
All-Access Library Card or eCard | For an All-Access Library Card:
For an eCard:
|
| Live in the service area of a library we have an agreement with | All-Access Library Card | |
|
Own property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with
Are married to someone who owns property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with
Are younger than 18 and your parent or guardian owns property in the service area of a library we have an agreement with |
All-Access Library Card |
|
| Are living in our service area* temporarily (longer than one month but less than six months) | All-Access Library Card with limited checkout |
|
| Don't have a residence | All-Access Library Card with limited checkout |
|
| Don't have photo ID | PC Only card |
|
| Don't live or own property in our service area* or the service area of a library we have an agreement with | PC Only card |
Versión en español: ¿Cómo obtengo una tarjeta de la biblioteca?
You don’t need to sign up. Eligible items will automatically renew.
Please review Current Volunteer Opportunities. If there is a Volunteer Opportunity, you are interested in please read through the volunteer description and click the Fill in an Application found on the upper right-hand corner of each volunteer listing.
