Get a Library Card

Card Levels

To apply, just visit one of our branches to verify your identity and other information. Parents may verify ID and information for minors. 

  • Basic Card:  Verifying your ID allows you to check out up to 10 items and place 10 items on hold (in addition to accessing our online resources).   
  • Regular Card:  If your current address is on your ID, or you provide another form of address verification, you can upgrade to a Regular card.  This allows you to borrow up to 50 items and also place 50 items on hold (in addition to accessing our online resources).

Use your Timberland library card to:

  • Check out books, magazines, DVDs, and CDs
  • Download eBooks and audiobooks
  • Stream videos
  • Check the online catalog in the library, from home, office, or school, or by telephone to see what items you have checked out, overdue, or on hold and place holds on items
  • Use the Mobile App to search, place holds, and access digital resources
  • Use a library computer with Internet access and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher
  • In the library or from home, access hundreds of online newspapers and magazines and dozens of online classes and other resources on health, business, computers, genealogy, car repair, hobbies, and many more topics

Timberland library cards are free to:

Applicants of any age, with provision of current physical address and proof of identity, who meet any of the following criteria:

  • Anyone living or owning property in TRL's 5-county Service Area: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties except residents of these cities: Mossyrock, Napavine, Ocean Shores, Pe Ell, Vader, and (starting in 2024, Morton). These locations have not contracted or annexed for library service. Residents may pay a non-resident fee for a regular card.
  • Non-resident individuals who work in or attend school in the TRL Service Area
  • Institutions, businesses, and qualifying homeschools in the TRL Service Area
  • Residents of library districts that have reciprocal borrowing agreements with TRL (see details below)
  • Residents of other areas outside of the TRL Service area within Washington that have tax-supported public library service

How to get a library card:

Non-Residents may buy a library card:

In 2023, the price is $98 per year, with the option of a six-month card at $49, a three-month card at $25, or a one-month card at $8.

  • The non-resident fee is for the entire household, each household member receives their own library card.
  • Residents of Washington State and Clatsop County in Oregon, not in the TRL Service Area and not covered by a reciprocal agreement or cooperative service area, may purchase a Non-Resident card.
  • The cost of the card is determined by the average cost each household in the Timberland district pays in property taxes for library services and is re-calculated annually.
  • You may include a check for the non-resident fee, or staff can bill your account and you can pay online.

Library Card options:

 

Proof of address required

Checkouts / Holds

Interlibrary Loans (ILL)

Loan period

Checkout renewals

Database & rbDigital & Kanopy

OverDrive

Regular

Y

50/50

Yes

21

2

Y

Y

Basic

N

10/10

Yes

21

2

Y

Y

Reciprocal

Y

50/50

No

21

2

Y

Y

Non-resident

Y

50/25

Yes

21

2

Y

Y

Internet, and MyTRL cards

N

0/0

No

-

-

Y

Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail

Y + complete application form

50/25

Yes

35

1

Y

Y

Institution

Y + administrator approval

50/25

No

35

1

N

N

Business

Y + administrator approval

50/25

No

35

1

N

N

Homeschool

Y + personal library card 

50/50

Yes

35

1

N

Y

Library Account Privacy

What does the library do to protect my library card account?

TRL protects the privacy of your account, keeping all records confidential. We only release information to the person to whom the card is issued, unless you instruct us otherwise. That includes all information in your account, e.g., address and contact information, items borrowed or requested, and computer use information.

You may opt to share information with others, granting others specific permissions or linking your account to others. Parents should work with their minor children to determine what methods will work best to help children manage their accounts and selection of materials. Check with your local library staff for details.

Reciprocal Borrowing Agreements

Reciprocal borrowing agreements between library systems allow residents of one library district to use the services of another library district. Library users may apply for and have library cards in the other library system.

What this means for residents of the Timberland Regional Library area is that you may get library cards with other library districts, expanding your options for physical or digital items.

What this means for Washington State residents living outside of the Timberland Regional Library district is that in many cases you are covered either under our reciprocal agreements or our cooperative service areas and may get a TRL card to access our materials and services.

In general, you must show proof of residence in your "home" library district to get a card in the "other" library district.  The agreements with Seattle Public Library and Longview Public Library require that you show a valid library card in your "home" library in order to apply for a card in the "other" system. 

reciprocal borrowing agreement map

TRL has reciprocal borrowing agreements with the following library systems:

Use the links below to visit reciprocal libraries. While closed due to COVID-19, not all libraries are issuing library cards, so be sure to check the library's current information.

Cooperative Service Area:

An alternative to reciprocal agreements, the cooperative service area includes those areas in Washington State, outside of the TRL Service area, that have tax-supported public library service. As with areas covered by a reciprocal agreement, you will need to apply at a Timberland Regional Library and provide ID and address verification showing that you qualify.

Groups