Library Cards FAQs

  • Get a Library Card

    All city of Tacoma residents are eligible for a free card, as are those who meet any of the following criteria.

    • You own property or a business within the city of Tacoma (business owners must present a current B&O license)
    • Current employees of the City of Tacoma or Tacoma Public Schools (must present current pay stub or employee ID)
    • You may also be eligible for a card through one of our reciprocal agreements with nearby libraries

    Students and teachers of Tacoma Public Schools may be able to use library services through the Pathway Partnership, opens a new window.

    Tacoma Public Library offers several different types of library cards to meet your needs.

    Standard card

    • For the majority of users
    • Good for 20 years or until January 17, 2038, whichever comes first
    • Maximum of 100 physical material checkouts, 20 Overdrive, opens a new window checkouts, 5 Hoopla, opens a new window checkouts per month, and 10 Kanopy, opens a new window play credits per month
    • 30 holds on physical materials and 20 Overdrive holds (materials in Hoopla and Kanopy are always instantly available)
    • Access to the Internet on the library's public computers
    • Your pin number defaults to the last four digits of the phone number you gave the library unless you have changed it yourself  
    • Requires photo ID and proof of current address

    eCard

    • For users who want immediate access to eResources only
    • Good for 6 months
    • Maximum 3 physical material checkouts and 20 Overdrive, opens a new window checkouts, 5 Hoopla, opens a new window checkouts per month, and 10 Kanopy, opens a new window play credits per month
    • 3 holds on physical materials and 20 Overdrive holds (materials in Hoopla and Kanopy  are always instantly available)
    • Option to convert eCard to Standard Card by presenting photo ID and proof of current address
    • No access to the Internet on the library's public computers
    • Directions to create your pin number are included in the initial email you received containing your card number
    • You may visit the library and exchange your eCard for other types of library cards that may allow physical material checkouts

    Unverified card

    • For users who have expired ID, cannot provide proof of address or are living in temporary or transitional housing
    • Good for 6 months
    • Maximum 3 physical material checkouts and 20 Overdrive, opens a new window checkouts, 5 Hoopla, opens a new window checkouts per month, and 10 Kanopy, opens a new window play credits per month
    • 3 holds on physical materials and 20 Overdrive holds (materials in Hoopla and Kanopy are always instantly available)
    • Your pin number defaults to the last four digits of the phone number you gave the library unless you have changed it yourself

    Limited card

    • For those ages 14-17 who have photo ID and proof of address or for those whose parent/legal guardian prefer the juvenile to have this card
    • Good for 3 years or until the patron turns 18, whichever comes first
    • Maximum 10 physical material checkouts and 20 Overdrive, opens a new window checkouts, 5 Hoopla, opens a new window checkouts per month, and 10 Kanopy, opens a new window play credits per month
    • 10 holds on physical materials and 20 Overdrive holds (materials in Hoopla and Kanopy are always instantly available)
    • Your pin number defaults to the last four digits of the phone number you gave the library unless you have changed it yourself. 

    Internet card

    • For visitors and users who only want access to eResources or the Internet on public access computers
    • Good for 20 years
    • No physical checkouts permitted and 20 Overdrive, opens a new window checkouts, 5 Hoopla, opens a new window checkouts per month, and 10 Kanopy, opens a new window play credits per month
    • No holds on physical materials and 20 Overdrive holds (materials in Hoopla and Kanopy are always instantly available)
    • Your pin number defaults to the last four digits of the phone number you gave the library unless you have changed it yourself. 

    In addition to the cards mentioned above, students enrolled in the Tacoma Public School District may have received a card through the Pathway Partnership.

    If you do not qualify for a free card, a library card can be purchased for a non-resident fee for $78 for 12 months or $39 for 6 months.

    You may apply for an eCard online. 

    Bring photo ID (if your photo ID does not have your current residential address, please bring any official document or piece of mail with your name and current residential address).

    Individuals under the age of 14 require a parent or legal guardian be present (with photo ID and proof of address) to sign for responsibility.

    If you do not have proof of current residential address, we can still help you get a library card with borrowing privileges. 

    Visitors are always welcome to use our materials in the library.  If you bring in your photo ID, you can apply for an Internet card.  With this card, you can use our public internet computers and access our eResources.

    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 Tacoma card.

    Tacoma residents are also eligible to get cards with the library systems listed above. Please be aware that you will need to present your valid Tacoma Public Library card in order to get a card at King County or Seattle. Please contact those libraries directly for more information.

  • Borrowing

    The maximum number of items you can check out varies depending on the type of library card you have. Checkouts can be any combination of formats up to the maximum number of checkouts for your card type.

    Standard card

    eCard

    Unverified card

    Limited card

    Internet card

    DVDs and Museum Passes can be borrowed for seven days and all other materials can be kept for 21 days.

    You may be able to renew your library materials and keep them longer.

    Lending periods for digital materials vary by service provider and format.  Please see eBooks, Audiobooks, and more, opens a new window for more information.

  • 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.

  • Holds

    The number of holds you can place varies depending on the type of library card you have.

    Standard card

    Unverified card

    Limited card

    Internet card

  • 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.

    Materials returned after the due date may be assessed an overdue fine. 

    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