Library Cards FAQs

  • Get a Library Card

    We apologize for the inconvenience, but you will likely need to visit a branch to get your library card. Military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) do not conform to typical street address formats. In addition, the exact physical location on the base is often not publicly available for security reasons. As commercial databases, like the one used in our form, are designed for standard U.S. addresses they may not be able to match your JBLM address. 

    We have reciprocal agreements in place with a number of nearby library systems which allow patrons of those libraries to get a free Tacoma Public Library card. If you have a card from one of the following libraries, you may be eligible for a Neighbor card.

    Tacoma residents are also eligible to get cards with the library systems listed above. Please contact those libraries directly for more information.

    • Tacoma Public Schools students are automatically assigned a Pathway card unless they opt out. 
    • With accepted ID (link to other FAQ), youth can qualify for a Tacoma Card. 
    • Without ID, youth may instead qualify for a Quick Card. 
    • If a youth wants a Tacoma Card but lacks ID, a parent/guardian signer is required. 

    • Photo ID such as Student ID, driver’s license, passport, military ID, DOC ID, gym membership, etc. 
    • Proof of Address such as physical bill, rental agreement, property tax statement, or electronic bill with name/address.  
    • No ID/Proof? Patrons may receive a Quick Card and upgrade later when documents are provided. 

    • Residents of Roy, Fircrest, Ruston, Carbonado, or other nearby localities without a library may purchase a Paid Card. 
    • Current fees: $39 for 6 months or $78 for 12 months (rates are recalculated annually and subject to change). 
    • Each family member must purchase their own card.  

       Tacoma Card Community Card Paid Card Neighbor Card Quick Card Pathway Card
      Lives or owns property in Tacoma, Puyallup Tribal members (see full list of who qualifies, opens a new window) Organizations or businesses in the city limits of Tacoma Washington State residents only Those residing in Pierce County, King County, Puyallup, and Seattle Those who cannot provide proof of address Tacoma Public School Students and Educators
    Free  
    Physical Materials
    Digital Materials
    Video Games    
    Museum and Park Passes    
    Mobile Hotspots and Podcast Kits      
    Inter-Library Loan      
    Suggest for Purchase      

    • Tacoma Card: Available to all residents within Tacoma city limits, property owners, City of Tacoma or Tacoma Public Schools employees, Puyallup Tribal members, active-duty military abroad with Tacoma address, and those eligible via WSL/DOC partnership. 
    • Neighbor Card: Available to residents of King County, Pierce County, Puyallup, or Seattle with proof of address and valid ID. 
    • Quick Card: Available to individuals in our service area without current or proof of address. 
    • Paid Card: Available to residents of Roy, Fircrest, Ruston, or Carbonado for a fee. 
    • Community Card: Available to organizations in Tacoma (daycares, nonprofits, private schools, assisted living, etc.). 
    • Pathway Card: Available to Tacoma Public Schools students and teachers through the Pathway Partnership. 
    • Just moved to Tacoma? You may be able to get three weeks of temporary access online. 

  • Borrowing

    • Patrons must present the library card or a photo of the card to pick up holds for another patron. 
    • Self-checkout requires knowing the card number and PIN. 

    • Tacoma, Neighbor, Community, Paid Cards: 100 items, $100 fee limit. 
    • Quick Card: 10 items, $50 fee limit. 
    • Digital limits for all cards: 20 Overdrive/Libby checkouts, 10 Kanopy play credits/month. 
    • Holds: 25 physical (Tacoma/Neighbor/Community/Paid), 5 physical (Quick/Student Pathway), 20 digital for all. 

    • Tacoma cards have access to all materials. 
    • Reciprocal borrowers with Neighbor cards have access to all materials except for Mobile Hotspot Kits and Podcast Kits. 
    • Pathway cards have access to all materials except for video games, museum passes, Mobile Hotspot Kits, and Podcast Kits. 

  • Borrowing History

    No, this is an optional feature. You must enable it if you wish to use it and can disable the feature at any time.

    Log into your account in the library’s website. Under My Account, select My Settings. Under Account Preferences, you will find the link for Borrowing History. Slide the toggle switch to On and Save Changes.

    Only you. The information is stored in your library account and is not viewable by library staff.

    No.

    Yes. When you disable the feature, it will wipe out all previously stored data. If you turn the feature back on, it will begin tracking from the date it was re-enabled.

    You have various sorting options until you have accumulated 100 titles in your Borrowing History. After that point, you no longer have the ability to sort as it would make page loading extremely slow and cumbersome.

    Adding titles to your Completed Shelf offers you more flexibility, allowing you to sort titles, exclude titles you don’t want, and filter the shelf, making it easier to find a title.

    No. Some people who had opted into keeping a history in Encore, our previous catalog, have reported having their history already populated. You can leave it or, if you opt out, it will erase the titles and then you can opt in again.

  • Materials Renewal & Return

    If you have more than six active (unresolved) Claims Returned items on your card, you will not be able to use your card until the count is back to six.

    To do so, you can have one or more items declared lost and the bill for the item(s) added to your card.

    If the dollar amount is greater than $100, you will need to bring it under that limit to use your card. Please note that lost items must be paid in full since they are eligible for refund within 90 days of payment if the item is returned in good condition during that time.

    As always, if you have questions about your account, you can call 253-280-2800 or visit any of our eight locations.

    If you returned an item less than an hour ago or if you have returned an item over the weekend, sometimes it takes longer for the staff to catch up with the check in.

    Otherwise, if you are certain that you have returned an item, you have the option of declaring an item Claims Returned and the item will be removed from your card.  Please contact your local branch in order to have an item marked as Claims Returned.

    You can have up to six active (unresolved) Claims Returned items on your card and still use it.

    As always, if you have questions about your account, you can call 253-280-2800 or visit any of our eight locations.

    Materials can be returned at any of our eight locations. All locations have exterior book drops for when the library is closed.

    Yes, materials can be renewed in person at one of our 8 locations, by telephone at (253) 280-2800, or by logging into "My Account".

    All physical materials except Museum Passes and Interlibrary Loans can be renewed up to 3 times. Items that are on hold for another patron cannot be renewed.

  • Fines & Fees

    Tacoma Public Library is fine free and no longer charges any overdue fines on late items.

    However, if an item has not been returned by 81 days after the due date, the item will be considered lost and a replacement charge will be added to your account.

    It’s free! There is no charge to replace your Tacoma Public Library card. You can get a replacement card by visiting any library location.

    We accept cash, debit card, credit card, and check payments for prints and booksale items in the branch.

    • Log in to your account on the library's website
    • Click on "My Account"
    • From the drop down menu click on "Fees"
    • Select "Pay Fees"
    • This will open up a new log-in screen. Enter in your barcode number and pin again.
    • Select the fines you want to pay and click on "Continue"
    • Enter in your credit card information and click on "Continue"
    • Fill out your card security code and billing information and click on "I Authorize this transaction"
    • Confirm that your information is correct and select "Submit Transaction for Processing"

    You can pay any charges on your account at one of our eight branches with cash, check, credit card, or debit card, or at selected self-checkout machines with a credit or debit card.  You can also pay online with a credit card.

    There are never any overdue fines associated with our ebook and downloadable audiobook collections.  eBooks and downloadable audiobooks automatically expire at the end of the lending period.

  • Notifications

    Tacoma Public Library sends out courtesy notices by email or phone to:

    • Remind you that materials are coming due
    • Notify you that your holds are ready to pick up
    • Notify you that you have digital materials ready to download (email only)
    • Notify you that your materials are overdue
    • Send a checkout receipt from a self-check station (email only)

     

    To choose how you would like to receive your notices please log into your account settings and review your contact information and contact preferences or speak with a staff member who will help you.

    You can read more detailed directions here.

    Yes! Tacoma Library can send you text messages when:

    • Your materials are coming due
    • Your holds are ready to pick up
    • Your materials are overdue

     

    The text message will not have details regarding the specific items, only a general message to alert you to the status of items.

    You must opt-in to receive text message notifications.

    To opt-in or opt-out of text message notifications:

    You will be able to enter a mobile phone number and Opt-in or Opt-out of the text message service.

    • Click "Submit" to save your changes

  • Card Renewal

    At this time, Tacoma Public Library is unable to offer online library card renewal. Please visit your local branch.

    To renew your library card privilege, visit one of our 8 library locations. You will need to:
     
    • Present your Tacoma Public Library card (or present your picture identification)
    • Pay off your library card fines. You can pay your fines with cash or check.
    • Verify your contact information