Timberland Regional Library
Serving Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties
Purpose
Determine person’s eligibility for library cards.
Scope
This policy applies to all public service points of the Timberland Regional Library (TRL).
Policy
TRL supports and encourages access by all borrowers, regardless of age, education, ethnicity, language, income, physical limitations, or geographic barriers.
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:
- All residents or property owners in the TRL Service Area, the Reciprocal Service Areas, or the Cooperative Service Area.
- Public schools and other educational or governmental agencies in the TRL Service Area.
- Indian tribes whose federally recognized lands are wholly or partially within the TRL Service Area.
- Businesses and non-profits in the TRL Service Area; or
- Non-resident individuals who work in or attend school in the TRL Service Area.
Library cards with limited privileges may be issued to borrowers who have not provided proof of current physical address, who have only a mailing address, or who lack identification.
Library cards with extended loan periods may be issued to borrowers needing accommodation.
Minors under eighteen (18) years of age unable to verify identification and current physical address may receive cards with parent’s or guardian’s signature, who can provide the above identification/address validation on their child’s behalf. Minors may also obtain library cards with limited privileges under agreements between school districts and TRL.
Residents of a non-resident TRL service area may purchase library cards for a single household fee determined annually by the Board of Trustees. Non-resident fees will reflect the same rate an average household pays in property taxes and city contract fees to TRL and may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.
TRL purges inactive library cards according to established policy.
Definitions
TRL Service Area: Unincorporated areas of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston Counties, and incorporated cities and towns within these counties which contract with or are annexed to the library district for service.
Reciprocal Service Area: Other library districts and contracting municipalities thereof through whatever agreements and policies may be made by the Board of Trustees.
Cooperative Service Area: All other areas of Washington State outside of the TRL Service Area that provide equitable tax support for public library service.
Non-Resident Service Area: All other areas of Washington State not previously covered, and Clatsop county in Oregon.
References
Use of Library Materials Policy. Fees Policy.
Citations
RCW 27.12.280 Use by nonresidents – Exchange of Books.
RCW 27.12.285 Library services for Indian tribes.
Effective 12/18/2024
Review Date 12/1/2031
Policy Number: 001
By the enactment of this policy the Board of Trustees of Timberland Regional Library is concurrently rescinding any prior policy or procedure within TRL that is either in conflict with or expansive of the matters addressed in this policy.
