Library Card & Lending Policy

Library Card and Lending Policy

Library Card FAQs

  • You can sign up for a library card online or at your community library.

    You are eligible for a Sno-Isle Libraries card if any of the following statements apply to you:

    • Residents of the Sno-Isle Libraries District and their dependents. The district's service area is unincorporated Snohomish or Island counties, or a city or town that contracts with or is annexed to Sno-Isle Libraries.
    • Residents of other jurisdictions within Washington State that provide equitable tax support for public library service.
    • Non-resident payers of property taxes of the Sno-Isle Libraries District and their dependents.

    To sign up for a library card, you will need to provide your name, home address, mailing address (if applicable), phone number, email address, and birth date. Contact us if you would like to sign up for a library card without providing your birth date.

    An email address is required when registering for an account online. If registering at your community library, an email address is not required.

    Proof of identity is required to get a physical library card, which includes the ability to check out physical materials. Examples of acceptable proof of identity include a driver's license or state ID, passport, work badge, utility bill, or any piece of mail received at your home address within the past year. Contact us or visit your community library for additional options if you are unable to provide proof of identity.

  • Your library card number is the 14-digit number printed on the back of your library card. If you have an online library card, your number will be emailed to you after complete your card registration.

    You can access a digital version of your barcode number in the Sno-Isle Libraries app. Just tap the card icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Home screen.

  • Your PIN defaults to the last four digits of your phone number. If no phone number was submitted, the default is 1234. 

  • Contact us or visit your community library to update, renew, or replace your card.

    Library cards expire every five years.

  • Teachers in private and public schools, preschools, and daycares are eligible to sign up for a teacher card. This provides access to physical materials and digital resources. Only one teacher card may be issued per teacher. Teacher accounts are separate from your personal library card.

    Contact us for help with registering for a teacher card.

Sno-Isle Libraries Board of Trustees Policy

Purpose

To ensure that Sno-Isle Libraries (Library District) provides the highest level of access to library resources possible while responsibly managing public assets, to articulate the principles for lending library materials to customers and define the roles and responsibilities for establishing library card eligibility and lending rules.

Scope

Principles

As part of the Sno-Isle Libraries vision, the Library District makes its collection available to customers to borrow and use outside of the library. Providing online access and lending physical library material to customers is a core library service.

  • We function in a resource sharing environment that depends on the stewardship and good will of all.
  • We serve individuals and the community as a whole.
  • We seek to provide ease of access to desired library materials.

Eligibility and Lending

Library card eligibility

  • Residents or property owners within the Sno-Isle Libraries District service area including:
    • All unincorporated areas within Snohomish and Island Counties.
    • All cities, towns, and rural partial-county library districts that have annexed to the Library District.
  • Residents of tribal lands.
  • Residents or property owners of jurisdictions within Washington State that provide equitable tax support for public library services.
  • Organizations located within the Library District service area.
  • Library District staff.

Lending

The Library District collection, with the exception of reference materials, is available for loan at no charge, to all registered library card holders regardless of race, ethnicity, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation. Lending rules and limits are established to ensure collection accessibility to the community as a whole while striving to support the broadest possible customer access. The Executive Director (or designee) will establish and publish specific lending rules that ensure fair and consistent application of this policy.

Associated Policies and Laws

Process

This policy is reviewed every four (4) years by the Executive Director (or designee) who makes recommendations to the appropriate Board Committee. The Committee reviews and revises as necessary, endorses, and advances to the full Board for approval.

Policy History

Date Approved: May 23, 2022
Next Review Date: 2026
Date Adopted: 2016 (Formerly Library Card Eligibility Policy)

Library Card FAQs

  • You can sign up for a library card online or at your community library.

    You are eligible for a Sno-Isle Libraries card if any of the following statements apply to you:

    • Residents of the Sno-Isle Libraries District and their dependents. The district's service area is unincorporated Snohomish or Island counties, or a city or town that contracts with or is annexed to Sno-Isle Libraries.
    • Residents of other jurisdictions within Washington State that provide equitable tax support for public library service.
    • Non-resident payers of property taxes of the Sno-Isle Libraries District and their dependents.

    To sign up for a library card, you will need to provide your name, home address, mailing address (if applicable), phone number, email address, and birth date. Contact us if you would like to sign up for a library card without providing your birth date.

    An email address is required when registering for an account online. If registering at your community library, an email address is not required.

    Proof of identity is required to get a physical library card, which includes the ability to check out physical materials. Examples of acceptable proof of identity include a driver's license or state ID, passport, work badge, utility bill, or any piece of mail received at your home address within the past year. Contact us or visit your community library for additional options if you are unable to provide proof of identity.

  • Your library card number is the 14-digit number printed on the back of your library card. If you have an online library card, your number will be emailed to you after complete your card registration.

    You can access a digital version of your barcode number in the Sno-Isle Libraries app. Just tap the card icon in the upper right-hand corner of the Home screen.

  • Your PIN defaults to the last four digits of your phone number. If no phone number was submitted, the default is 1234. 

  • Contact us or visit your community library to update, renew, or replace your card.

    Library cards expire every five years.

  • Teachers in private and public schools, preschools, and daycares are eligible to sign up for a teacher card. This provides access to physical materials and digital resources. Only one teacher card may be issued per teacher. Teacher accounts are separate from your personal library card.

    Contact us for help with registering for a teacher card.

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