WCLS

• How do I get a library card?
  
• Who can get a card?
  
• Can I use this card to borrow from the Bellingham Public Library?
  
• Can I use this card to get a card at Fraser Valley Regional Library?
  
• How do I access my account online?
  
• I'm not a resident of Whatcom County, can I get a card?
  
• I work in the US, but do not reside there. Will the library card cost anything?
  
• How do I access my account?
  
• How do I place a hold/make a request for library items?
  
• Will I be charged for something I requested, but forgot to pick up?
  
• How long can I keep things?
  
• I placed a hold on a book but I am going out of town and can't pick it up. What do I do?
  
• What are the library fines and fees?
  
• How do I extend due dates/renew items?
  
• How do I return materials close to home?
  
• How can I avoid overdue fines? 
  
  

How do I get a library card?

These forms are available to print out and return to any WCLS branch library. 
Application form for Adults 18 and up.  Applicants just need to show ID.

Application for 17 and under. You'll need the signature of a parent or guardian on the application.

Who can get a card?

Whatcom County residents, property owners, and employees of local businesses may register for library cards.

Can I use this card to borrow from the Bellingham Public Library?

Yes!

Can I use this card to get a card at Fraser Valley Regional Library?

Yes!

How do I access my account online?

How to Access Your Account Online

Click on My Account in the upper right hand corner of this page

Enter the barcode from the back of your library card in the barcode field. (Enter all of the digits without spaces.)

Enter the last 4 digits of your phone number.

Click Login.

Options After Log-in

Select Hold Request to see the status of items that you requested, and to change the status of the request by suspending it for a period of time if you are not able to use it right away, or change the status back to active.

Select Messages to check for fines or see messages about your account.

Select Items Out to renew items checked out to you.

Log-out Make sure to click Logout (or the big red X) when you are finished to protect your privacy.

I'm not a resident of Whatcom County, can I get a card?

If you work in Whatcom County but live someplace else you can get a card by showing proof of employment.

If you have a Fraser Valley Card and show it you can get a card for free.

If you want a card but neither of these things apply, you can pay $40.00 to get a library card if you are an adult, $20 if you are a senior or disabled, $20 if the card is for a child, of $52.00 for a family.  The visitor fee (one month or less) is $5.

I work in the US, but do not reside there. Will the library card cost anything?

Do you work in Whatcom County? If you do you can get a card for free if you show proof of employment even if you don't live here.

If you have a Fraser Valley Card from British Columbia and show it you can get a card for free.

If you want a card but neither of these things apply, you can pay $40.00 to get a library card if you are an adult, $20 if you are a senior or disabled, $20 if the card is for a child, of $52.00 for a family.  The visitor fee (one month or less) is $5.

How do I access my account?

There are 3 ways to access your account. All you need is your library card.

• Call Lark at 312-9037
• Check your account online
• Phone a branch to find out about due dates

How do I place a hold/make a request for library items?

Search for a library item in the catalog, including books, DVDs, CDs, etc.

• Click Request Any Copy Now; A login screen will appear.
• Click Request This Copy if you want a specific volume of a set or issue of a magazine.
• Enter the barcode from the back of your library card in the barcode field. (enter all of the digits without spaces)
• Enter the last 4 digits of your phone number.
• Click Login.
• A request in process screen will appear.
• Select your local branch or preferred pick-up location from the drop-down list.
• Click Request. You will see the message “Your request has been successfully placed.”
• Click Return to Searching to return to your search results or Logout and Return to log out of your account.
• Make sure to click Logout (or the big red X) when you are finished to protect your privacy.

.50 is charged for holds placed by adults on adult materials that are not picked up.

Will I be charged for something I requested, but forgot to pick up?

Your requested items are kept on our branch hold shelves for one week.  If an adult requests an adult item and does not pick it up during that week, a $.50 fine (per item requested) will be charged to their account.

If you know you will not be able to pick up your requests that week, you can avoid the charge by cancelling your requests before they get to your library, or suspend your requests so they come in at a later date (great for vacations!).  Library staff will be happy to show you how to suspend your requests.

How long can I keep things?

Check your receipt, call Lark at 312-9037, call your library or check your account online to determine when an item is due. The due dates for any item can vary depending on the situation.

General guidelines:

Books, CDs, Audiobooks, Most Library Items
Most books and library items are due in 3 weeks. After a 7 day grace period you will start accumulating overdue fines. These items can be renewed for another 3 weeks through the online catalog, by calling LARK at 312-9037 or visiting your local library.

High Demand Books and Audio
Some adult books, audiobooks and CDs that have a long waiting list will be due in 2 weeks. When you check out, the due date on your receipt will reflect the 2 week loan These items cannot be renewed.

DVDs
Most DVDs are due in 2 weeks. After a 2 day grace period you will start accumulating overdue fines.

High Demand DVDs
DVDs with a long wait list will be due in 1 week. When you check out, the due date on your receipt will reflect the 1 week loan. These DVDs cannot be renewed.

InterLibrary Loan Items (ILL)
InterLibrary Loan Items are generally due in 3 weeks, but shorter loan periods may apply due to restrictions. After a 2 day grace period you will start accumulating overdue fines. To inquire about renewal of ILL items contact Interlibrary Loan before the due date at 384-3150 ext. 222 Monday thru Friday 8 to 5.

Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the above loan periods; please refer to your receipt for due dates.

I placed a hold on a book but I am going out of town and can't pick it up. What do I do?

You can "suspend" your request. That means that you let the item you put on hold pass on to someone else until you are ready to get back in line. You won't lose your place in line in the meantime. If you are first in line and suspend your hold, you will be first in line when you reactivate your hold.

It is a good idea to do this because there is a .50 fine if an adult places a request on an adult item and doesn't pick it up.

You can do this yourself, but if you want us to do it for you we would be happy to. Just give us a call: 354-4883.

How to Suspend a Request:

• In the library catalog click My Account and log in
• Click on the section Hold Requests
• Check box of title(s) to be suspended
• Enter the date you want your hold(s) to reactivate
• Click on button for Suspend/Reactivate
• Hold(s) will reactivate automatically on the date selected.

What are the library fines and fees?

Fines and fees are charged in the following situations:

• if an item is returned after its due date (following the grace period);
• if an item is returned damaged, or a part needs to be replaced; or
• if an item is not returned.

Overdue fines for most items are:

• 10 cents per item per day ... up to a maximum of $5.00 per item.

For children's and young adult (teen) items, overdue fines are:

• 5 cents per item per day ... up to a maximum of $2.50 per item.

Overdue fines begin after a grace period of 7 days, excluding Sundays and holidays, following the due date of the item. (Videos and DVD's have a grace period of 2 days, excluding Sundays and holidays).

How do I extend due dates/renew items?

Options to Extend Due Dates:

• Call Lark at 312-9037
• Check your account online
• Phone your local branch to find out about due dates

Your new due date will be three weeks, or in the case of DVDs two weeks, from the date the item is renewed.

Using the Online Catalog to Extend Due Dates:

• Login to your account
• Enter the barcode from the back of your library card in the barcode field. (enter all of the digits without spaces)
• Enter the last 4 digits of your phone number.
• Click the Login button.
• Select "Checked Out." A list of the items that you would like to renew will appear.
• Place checks next to the items you wish to renew. You can make multiple selections.
• Click the Renew button
• Make sure to click Logout (or the big red X) when you are finished to protect your privacy.

How do I return materials close to home?

Library materials can be dropped off at:

• At your local WCLS library
  
• Bellingham Public Library
• Haggen's Grocery Stores on Meridian, in Barkley Village, and in Sehome Village.
• Whatcom Community College Library when classes are in session.

How can I avoid overdue fines?

There are many ways to check your account-all you need is your library card.

• Call Lark at 312-9037
• Check your account online
• Phone your local branch to find out about due dates

You can avoid fines by extending due dates, and returning materials.