FAQs

You can apply for a library card in person or by clicking get a library card and completing the application.

If you’ve had a Spokane County Library District card in the last three years, contact one of our 11 libraries before filling out the online form. You may just need a simple update of your current card.

If you continue with a new registration, you may place three items on hold using the temporary number that will appear on your screen when you complete and submit the form. To check out items, visit your nearest Spokane County library to activate your account and get your new card. Bring along your ID and address verification, if your current address is different from what’s on your ID. Your registration will already be in our database, so a quick stop and you’ll be on your way.

If you are filling out this form in a library, please complete the info fields and submit. Then, jot down your temporary number and take it to a service desk and show your ID. Staff will be happy to quickly complete the process for your new card.

Yes. To renew your card or update your information, you can fill out the information on the Renew Your Library Card web page and click the Submit button.

In most cases your card will be updated within 24 hours, except for during holidays and special closed days. Once your information has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Library staff will send you another email when your card has been successfully updated, or if we need additional information to complete the process.

If you need to update your card more quickly, you can call 509.893.8400 with your card number and birth date or password.

Anyone 18 or older living or owning property in unincorporated Spokane County and the affiliated cities and towns of Cheney, Deer Park, Fairfield, Latah, Medical Lake, Millwood, Rockford, Spangle, City of Spokane Valley, Waverly, and Airway Heights. Residents of the City of Spokane and Liberty Lake are also eligible for this service under our reciprocal use agreement.

If you are 17 or under, please visit one of our libraries with a parent or guardian to apply for a card.

A password is used with your library card number to make online requests for materials, to check your library account information online, and to use Internet computers in the libraries. You may choose your own password and register it at the checkout desk in any of our libraries by presenting your photo ID.

If you forgot your password and you have an email account on record with us, you can telephone us or choose a new password online using your library card number. Go to My Account and choose the Reset your password link. A reset password link will be sent to your email. If you do not have an email account on record with us, you must present ID at one of our libraries to be reminded of your password or to change it.

Student and business library cards provide immediate access to select digital resources in the Digital Library without having to apply for a library card. Cards may be fully activated to gain access to all of our digital resources and to check out library materials. To activate your student or business card, visit any District library location. Some restrictions in using select digital resources apply to residents of the City of Liberty Lake and to residents of the City of Spokane.

A Virtual Student Library Card gives you instant access to the resources in our Digital Library. This service is available in partnership with select schools. Visit our Virtual Student Library Card webpage to learn more.

Library materials for people with disabilities: Our collection offers audiobooks on CD, read-along books for children, and digital formats of audiobooks and eBooks via the Libby app for OverDrive and on hoopla. Our physical print collection offers large type (print) books. We have music CDs and offer films and television on DVD and with our digital resources hoopla and Kanopy.

Physical & digital collections: Our print and physical materials include paperback and hard cover books, newspapers, magazines, and audio-visual materials, such as audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs. We are also able to gain access to materials not in our collection though interlibrary loans. Our selection of reference materials includes dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, and guidebooks. Digital materials are available through our Digital Library and include eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies, magazines, and more

Library of Things: This collection includes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) kits, telescopes, sewing machines, video production equipment, blood pressure monitors, and much more. We add items periodically. You can browse our Library of Things to see what items are currently available.

Museum & cultural passes: Our passes provide library customers access to local attractions and cultural centers at no cost. Passes currently available include Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture; Mobius Children’s Museum & Mobius Science Center; Spokane Symphony on a limited basis; Check Out Washington Backpack with Discover Pass; and other passes available intermittently on a limited basis. You can learn more, including how to reserve a pass, on our Museum & Cultural Passes web page.

Mobile hotspots: In-District adult library customers can check out a mobile hotspot for a 28-day borrowing period. To reserve a hotspot, call the library at 509.893.8400 during library open hours. Visit the Mobile Hotspot page to learn more.

Spokane County Library District offers three loan period choices for digital audiobooks and eBooks through OverDrive. Customers may choose checking out audio books and eBooks for either 7, 14, or 21 days. The default loan period will remain at 14 days for both audiobooks and eBooks.
You may select a lending period on a title-by-title basis at the point of checkout or format-by-format under “My Digital Media Account” then click on “Lending Periods”.

• Adult new books and DVDs – 2 weeks
• Other materials – 4 weeks
• Any combination of 50 items may be on loan at one time
• Items may be renewed five times, if not on hold by another customer. Interlibrary items usually cannot be renewed – check with your library if you wish to renew an Interlibrary Loan Item.
• 25 items may be on request at one time

As of January 1, 2023, our libraries no longer charge overdue fines.

Fines accrued before this date can be paid online or in person at any of our libraries. If you are 17 or younger, you can reduce your library fines through the Read Away Fines program.

When items are four (4) weeks overdue, we consider them lost and send a bill for the cost of the items.

Lost or damaged items must be replaced. If items are billed as lost, your account will be charged the replacement price.

Go to our Digital Library page where you’ll find links to resources and download help for audiobooks, eBooks and music. For personalized assistance, you may Book a Librarian at your neighborhood library for a one-on-one session.

If you have searched the catalog and cannot locate a specific item you would like, you may Suggest an Item and we will attempt to obtain a copy for you. We will notify you when it is available, or contact you if we have any questions.

We accept up to 5 suggestions for physical items per person each month. To suggest digital items, use the Libby app to search for titles in our collection. If the title(s) aren’t in our OverDrive/Libby collection, you can tag titles to be alerted when they are added. Requests may take up to six to eight weeks to fill. Please note that we are not able to fill every request.

Our collection includes materials that address the different reading and viewing styles of our customers, including Large Type (Print), audiobooks on CD and in digital format, and eBooks that can accommodate larger print on eReaders. We also offer the Books by Mail service for customers who meet the eligibility criteria.

The Washington Talking Book & Braille Library (WTBBL) is a program of the Washington State Library that provides library services statewide, at the library and by mail, to any Washington resident.

Our buildings include accommodation features. We also have adaptive technology and tools. We can provide accommodations at our in-person and online programs upon request. Learn more about our services for people with disabilities>.

All our libraries have computer stations with Internet access, Office, reference and educational software installed along with printing capabilities. There is free Wi-Fi availability in each library. 3D printing is available at select libraries.

Visit the Reserve a Computer page to reserve a computer at any District library for up to a week in advance. You may reserve up to three sessions.

Free Wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) is available at all Spokane County Library District libraries.

Library users can use their wireless laptop computers and other mobile devices to get Internet access anywhere in the library.

You will need to bring your own Wi-Fi enabled (802.11b/g/n) laptop computer or other mobile device to the library. The network name is the same as the name of the library where you are trying to connect. No encryption settings, usernames, or passwords are required.

Most Wi-Fi equipment will be compatible. However, the Library District can make no guarantees as to compatibility of your equipment with the library’s network.

Library customers may print from their laptops and mobile devices using our Mobile Printing service. You may print up to 80 pages per week from a library computer without charge.

All Internet access is filtered for sexually explicit material, malware, phishing sites, and other damaging Internet content. Otherwise, wireless use is unfiltered. If you would like to request that a site be blocked or unblocked, please fill out this form.

Library staff are unable to help configure your computer. Everyone’s computer is different and you are responsible for knowing how to configure your own equipment. The Library District cannot be responsible for any changes you make to your computer’s settings or problems that develop while using the wireless network such as virus infections. Keep in mind that the information you send and receive over the wireless network may be visible to other users. If you need additional assistance, you may need to contact the manufacturers of your hardware or software.

For more information, see the Computer, Wireless Network and Internet Use policy.

Spokane County Library District online resources are at your fingertips.

• Click catalog to access our collection of more than 450,000 items.
• View checkouts, place holds and renew materials as well as review your account information
• Digital Library – research premium online resources, download magazines, eBooks, audiobooks, and music, and take classes online
• Reserve a computer station
• Get Help
• Connect with a live tutor for homework, career, and business help every day 2-10pm with HelpNow, JobNow, and HelpNow Adult Learning Center
• Blogs written by Library District staff and local experts for adults, kids, and teens
• Suggested websites and resources for local interests, business owners, job seekers, parents and teachers, people aged 50+, homework help for kids, and homework help for teens
• Library events calendar
• View library locations, hours, and contact information
• District information

Research assistance is provided in person or by phone. In-depth research assistance is provided through our Book a Librarian service.

We have many resources to aid you in your research. Search our catalog for books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and articles, audiobooks, eBooks and more. Browse our Digital Library for premium resources available at home with your valid library card number or from every library location without a library card.

• Resources for parents and teachers
• Resources for homework help for kids and homework help for teens
• Live tutors available every day from 2-10pm via HelpNow
• Take online classes with Gale Courses and LinkedIn Learning
• Learn a language with Pronunciator
• Read career and testing eBooks and take practice tests using Peterson's Test and Career Prep
• Contact your library location if you would like your class to visit the library or if you would like staff to visit your classroom

• Resources for job seekers
• Career coaches and resume/cover letter review available every day from 2-10pm via JobNow
• Read career and testing eBooks and take practice tests using Peterson's Test and Career Prep
• Resources for business planning and business owners
• Business planning and market research resources from Business Source Complete, and Data Axle Reference Solutions
• Book a Librarian for one-on-one help with topics ranging from business research and planning to job searching

Our libraries each have a meeting room that may be reserved by the public at no change. Some libraries also have a conference room that may be reserved by the public at no charge. Size and layout of meeting rooms vary by library. All libraries and our administrative offices are ADA compliant. For details and to reserve a meeting room, visit our Meeting Rooms webpage.

The Library District provides proctoring service to students in our community as part of our role as a community place and in support of life-long learning. The service we offer attempts to balance the needs of the student, the institution with which they are working, and service to other library customers. While we expect to be able to meet the requirements of most requests for proctoring service, we do have some limitations.

We will provide the:

• Staff members who are authorized to provide proctoring service: librarians, library supervisors, and public services specialists.
• Space for test taking; however, depending on the library, there may not be a separate quiet area available.
• Ability to directly mail a completed test back to the institution.
• Ability for on-line test completion.

Student/Institution information:

• Contact the library you wish to use for proctoring and make arrangements with the staff based on the facilities that are available and on staff availability.
• Verify with the library staff that the requirements of the institution for proctoring can be met by the library staff.
• Verify the physical environment available at the library meets the needs that you have for test taking.
• Schedule specific days/times for proctoring based on the open days/hours of the library and the availability of the proctor.
• Arrange for a public computer booking if needed.
• Provide an appropriate sized envelope, addressed and with required postage, if the library is to return the test by mail.

Library staff provide mobile library services to those in the community who are unable to visit the library.

Homebound customers who are confined to their home due to illness or disability may receive library materials by mail. This includes regular or large print books, magazines, audiobooks, music CDs, and CD-ROM software. Staff can fill special requests as well as choose materials to match a customer’s preferences for materials. Homebound customers can also receive a quarterly newsletter that includes an annotated list of recent arrivals in large print.

Our Mobile Services team visits many nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes on a regular schedule to deliver library materials to residents, recommend books, and take requests. Facilities must agree to minimum requirements and maintain a minimum number of readers and level of use.

Storytimes presented by library staff are offered in licensed childcare facilities and preschools to introduce children to the library and encourage them to become regular readers and library users. These storytime programs are 20–30 minutes in length, are similar to those offered in our libraries, and are designed for children ages 2–6. Small collections of library materials on specific subjects are also available to the facilities. Facilities must agree to minimum requirements. Call 509.893.8422 for more information.

Customers who are legally blind, deaf-blind, and/or who have a print impairment (cannot easily read normal print), who have a physical handicap (cannot comfortably hold books or turn pages), or who have a learning disability due to organic dysfunction may qualify for Washington Talking Book & Braille Library services. Our library staff can assist customers in establishing eligibility to begin using the free services, such as cassette tape versions of popular books and magazines, tape players, and Braille materials—all available through the mail at no cost.

Learn more about our services for people with disabilities.

You can locate tax forms from IRS.gov.

All District libraries and administrative offices are closed on the following days: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr Day, Presidents' Day, Staff Training Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Native American Heritage Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. All libraries close at 5pm on New Year's Eve.

Libraries may close due to inclement weather or poor air quality and on days with historically low usage.

Visit the Administration Location page for the current calendar of planned closures.

The library offers a variety of classes from technology training and business classes to topics of general interest and local instruction. Click on events to see the entire listing. For classes that include handouts and recordings, those items are available online for a limited time.

Accommodations are available for in-person and online library events and programs.

Sign language interpreter services and other accommodations may be made available upon request at in-person library programs. To inquire about an interpreter or other accommodations, please email comments@scld.org or call 509.893.8200 at least three (3) business days before the event. In your message, include the following information:

• Your name
• Your email and/or phone number
• The name and date of the event you need interpreter services for

Online library programs using the Zoom video conferencing service include live transcription. Recorded Zoom events include auto-generated closed captioning.

The library offers a variety of classes from technology training and business classes to topics of general interest and local instruction. Click on events to see the entire listing. Classes with handouts and recordings are available for a limited time.

Information on applying for a job, including current openings can be found on the Employment page.

If you’d like to help out at any of the District Libraries, visit our Volunteer webpage to find more information and our volunteer application.

To become a Friend of the Library, you can visit the Friends of the Spokane County Library District website for their activities and events.

Local creators, including authors and musicians, can submit their information to our Spokane Creators website.

Learn how to submit your eBook to Smashwords here, and let us know that it has been added to Smashwords here.

Selection of materials for the library is done by staff in the Collection Services Department and is guided by our Collection Development Policy. We apply the same set of criteria for all materials and, as a public library, we select materials for general users, rather than specialists or practitioners. We collect materials for all ages and give special consideration to materials about the history of the Spokane Region.

In making a decision about adding material to our collection, we consider the following:

• Who is the intended audience for the material? Is it intended for adults, teens or children? Is it of general interest, not specialist?
• What is the subject of the material? Will it be of interest to our customers? Is it of special local interest?
• Who is the author? We look for qualifications such as education, experience in the field, and experience as a writer or artist.
• When/where was the item published? Is the publisher a standard trade publisher? We need all of the bibliographic data, including date of publication, price and type of binding. If the item is self-published, please give some indication of its physical appearance.
• Has the item been reviewed in at least one library publication or general periodical? Was the review positive?
• What is the format? Is it appropriate for library use? Will it withstand heavy use? Is the artwork/photography of clear quality?
• How can we purchase copies? Libraries prefer to buy from wholesale vendors.
• If the material is available only from you, be sure to provide a phone number, address and email address, if you have one.
• Unsolicited materials will not be returned and will be considered donations.

Information may be sent to: Administrative Offices, Attn: Collection Services Director – Collection Services, 4322 N Argonne Rd, Spokane, WA 99212-1868.

Local creators, including authors and musicians, can submit their information to our Spokane Creators website.

Artist displays are coordinated by the Library Supervisor at each library. Contact information for Library Supervisors can be found on the Locations pages.

Local experts are encouraged to tell us about the subject of their expertise, credentials as a presenter, and contact information by completing the form on the Comments or Suggestions page.