Get a Library Card!!
Getting a library card is as easy as pie! Really, it’s a piece of cake! Lionel Richie would even say it’s Easy (like Sunday morning)…
Why get a library card?
- To explore the world
- To meet new friends and neighbors
- To further your career or learn something new
- To save money (It’s free to our residents!)**
- Want to know more? See below!
How to get your card…
- Register online, or fill out an application at your nearest library.
- Bring a photo ID and proof of address to any of our library locations to get your physical card and full borrowing privileges. Cards will expire after one month without proof of eligibility. 17 or younger? You’re in luck, you don’t need anything to apply!
- That’s it!
What to bring with you to get your library card
Valid photo identification:
- Washington State driver’s license
- Washington State ID card (issued by Department of Licensing)
- Driver’s license or ID from another state
- Foreign driver’s license
- United States or foreign passport
- Permanent Resident Card/Green Card
- Matricula Consular
- Employee ID card or badge
- Military or Merchant Marine ID
- Credit or debit card, with signature
- School ID card
- Voter registration card
- Birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- Vehicle registration
- Organization membership card with pre-printed name and photo or signature
- Transit pass (with photo or name)
- Emergency or community shelter ID
Other forms of ID may be accepted if issued by a government agency, school, business, or other institution and includes pre-printed name with a photo or signature.
Proof of address:
- Driver’s license or State ID
- Paycheck
- Receipt
- Utility bill
- Current mail
- Personal check
- Voter registration Card
- Vehicle registration
- Lease or rental agreement
Individuals experiencing homelessness are eligible for library services. Library staff can assist you with alternate verification options.
17 or younger? You’re in luck, you don’t need anything to apply!
With your library card, you can...
- Borrow up to 100 items at a time! We have books, audiobooks, magazines, DVDs, and music CDs.
- Place holds online and pick them up at your local library or have them mailed to your home.
- Download eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines 24 hours a day.
- Access a wide variety of online resources such as Consumer Reports, Rosetta Stone, The New York Times, and LinkedIn Learning.
- Use the public computers or free wifi at any of our libraries.
Are you an educator?
- If you are a teacher or homeschooling parent, you can get an educator library card in addition to your personal library card. To be eligible you must either:
- Teach at a school in Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, or Okanogan county.
- Homeschool and live or own property in Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, or Okanogan county.
With an educator card, you can:
- Borrow teaching material for 90 days
- Borrow up to 100 items at a time
- Put up to 100 items on hold
- Borrow classroom kits
Educator cards may not be used to borrow interlibrary loan materials, DVDs, bestsellers/popular items, items included in the Library of Things (snowshoes, backpacks, Launchpads, etc.) or other materials for personal use.
To apply for an educator card, please fill out an applicationopens PDF file at any of our libraries. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID, proof of address, and your local school or homeschooling address.
Are you a property owner that lives elsewhere?
Patrons who own property in our service area but reside elsewhere are eligible for this card type upon proving ownership with a current tax statement or tax receipt in their name. Property owners receive all the benefits of a full-use library card and are eligible for Mail Order Library services within our service area, including non-contracting cities normally excluded from receiving materials by mail (Conconully, Hartline, Mansfield, Marlin, and Rock Island). Property Owner cards will expire every two years but can be renewed with current proof of property ownership.
Guest passes
If you are visiting our area and would like to use the library’s public computers, ask your librarian for a guest pass. Nothing is needed to access the library’s wifi!
If you live in our service area but don’t have a permanent address, you may still qualify for a library card. Please contact staff for details.
Not a resident or live outside of our service area?
You might qualify for a reciprocal library card or you can get a fee Card.
Reciprocal Library Card
If you do not live or own property in our service area but you already have a library card with a cooperating library system in Washington State, you can get a reciprocal card.
With a reciprocal card you can:
- Check out up to 5 items at a time for a 14 day loan period.
- Renew items one time.
- Place up to 5 items on hold.
- Use all of our databases and online resources.
- Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks.
This card type does not include Mail Order or Interlibrary Loan services.
Cooperating library systems include:
- King County Library System
- Kitsap Regional Library
- North Olympic Library System
- Pierce County Library System
- Sno-Isle Regional Library
- Timberland Regional Library
- Yakima Valley Regional Library
To apply for a reciprocal card, please fill out an applicationopens PDF file at any of our libraries. Be sure to bring your library card from the cooperating library system, a valid photo ID, and proof of address.
Fee card
If you live outside of our service area, or in a non-contracting community within our service area, you may purchase a fee card for $10 per month or $120 per year.
Incorporated communities in our service area that have not contracted for service through NCW Libraries are:
- Conconully
- Hartline
- Mansfield
- Marlin
- Rock Island
With a fee card, you can:
- Borrow up to 100 items at a time.
- Place up to 25 items on hold.
- Use all of our databases and online resources.
- Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks.
This card type does not include Mail Order or Interlibrary Loan services.
To apply for a fee card, please fill out an applicationopens PDF file at any of our libraries. Be sure to bring a valid photo ID, proof of address, and cash or check to pay the fee.
Lost your library card?
Please report a lost card as soon as you can by contacting your local library. Visit any of our libraries to get a new card – it’s free!
Item Due Dates
We know that you have a lot going on, and we’re passionate about making the library as convenient as possible. Items can be returned to any of our libraries, no matter where they were borrowed from (including our Mail Order Library).
When your items are due, we’ll send you an email or automated phone message reminding you to renew or return them. You can change your messaging preferences at any time within your online account.
We do not charge late fees for most overdue items*, but we will ask you to pay a replacement price if the item is lost (more than 70 days overdue) or is returned damaged. Fines can be paid with cash or checks at any of our libraries or from your online account via PayPal. A PayPal account is not needed to make a payment online. Unfortunately, credit and debit cards are not accepted in-person at any of our libraries at this time.
ITEM TYPE | CHECKOUT PERIOD | RENEWALS |
---|---|---|
Books | 28 days | 2 |
Audiobooks | 14 days | 2 |
Magazines | 14 days | 2 |
Music CDs | 14 days | 2 |
eBooks & eAudio | 21 days | unlimited |
DVDs | 14 days | 2 |
Interlibrary Loan | varies | 0 |
Items that other borrowers are waiting for and items checked out through our Interlibrary Loan service are not eligible for renewal.
*Depending on the policy of the lending library, items borrowed through Interlibrary Loan may have late fees.
How to Access Your Account
You can access your library account by logging in to our online catalog. From here, you can:
- Check due dates and renew items
- Place items on hold and check the status of your holds
- Cancel or suspend holds
- Update your contact information
- View your fines
- Change your messaging preferences
- Change your password
- Make a purchase suggestion
Learn more about using our online catalog to find and order material.
** A library card is free for anyone who lives or owns property in Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, or Okanogan counties.