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{{Short description|Public library in Washington state, U.S.}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox library
{{Infobox library
| library_name = King County Library System
| library_name = King County Library System
Line 4: Line 6:
| logo_size = x200px
| logo_size = x200px
| image = Bellevue Library.jpg
| image = Bellevue Library.jpg
| caption = [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] Regional Library
| caption = [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] Regional Library, the largest library in the system
| type = [[Public library]]
| type = [[Public library]]
| established = 1942
| established = 1942
| location = [[King County, Washington]], US
| location = [[King County, Washington]], US
| mapframe = no
| coordinates = {{coords|47|37|13|N|122|11|40|W|display=inline,title}}
| num_branches = 48
| num_branches = 50
| collection_size = 3.4 million items
| collection_size = 3.4 million items
| req_to_access = Residence in King County except the city of Seattle and the towns of [[Hunts Point, Washington|Hunts Point]] and [[Yarrow Point, Washington|Yarrow Point]]
| req_to_access = Residence in King County except the city of Seattle and the towns of [[Hunts Point, Washington|Hunts Point]] and [[Yarrow Point, Washington|Yarrow Point]]
| annual_circulation = 20.8 million
| annual_circulation = 20.8 million
| pop_served = 1.4 million
| pop_served = 1.4 million
| members = 463,564
| members = 703,987
| budget = $120 million (2017)<ref>{{cite web |title=2017 Operating Budget |url=https://kcls.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2016/12/2017-Final-Budget-Web.pdf |publisher=King County Library System |accessdate=December 25, 2017}}</ref>
| budget = $120 million (2017)<ref name="2017Budget">{{cite web |title=2017 Operating Budget |url=https://kcls.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2016/12/2017-Final-Budget-Web.pdf |publisher=King County Library System |access-date=December 25, 2017}}</ref>
| director = Stephen A. Smith (interim)
| director = Heidi Daniel
| num_employees = 901
| num_employees = 901
| website = {{URL|kcls.org}}
| website = {{URL|kcls.org}}
| references = Washington Public Library Statistical Report, 2016<ref name="2016Stats">{{cite web |date=October 2017 |title=2016 Washington Public Library Statistical Report |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/library/libraries/libDev/2016stats.pdf |publisher=[[Washington State Library]] |accessdate=December 25, 2017}}</ref>
| references = Washington Public Library Statistical Report, 2016<ref name="2016Stats">{{cite web |date=October 2017 |title=2016 Washington Public Library Statistical Report |url=https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/library/libraries/libDev/2016stats.pdf |publisher=[[Washington State Library]] |access-date=December 25, 2017}}</ref>
}}
}}


The '''King County Library System''' ('''KCLS''') is a [[library]] system serving the residents of [[King County, Washington|King County]], [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], [[United States]]. Headquartered in [[Issaquah, Washington]], KCLS is currently the busiest library in the United States, circulating 22.4 million items in 2010.<ref name="Berry-2011">{{cite news|title=Library of the Year 2011: King County Library System, WA|author=Berry, John, III|url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/890760-264/library_of_the_year_2011.html.csp|date=June 15, 2011|accessdate=June 18, 2011|work=Library Journal|quote=Among the benchmarks was circulating 22.4 million items—more than any other library system in the United States—to the 1,318,745 people who live in King County.}}</ref> It consists of 48 libraries, a Traveling Library Center, a mobile TechLab, and the ABC Express children’s library van. KCLS offers a collection of more than 4.1 million items, including books, periodicals, newspapers, audio and videotapes, films, CDs, DVDs and extensive online resources. All KCLS libraries offer free [[Wi-Fi]] connections. People can check out 100 items and hold up to 50 items.
The '''King County Library System''' ('''KCLS''') is a [[library]] system serving most residents of [[King County, Washington|King County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[United States]]. Headquartered in [[Issaquah, Washington]], KCLS was the busiest library system in the United States as of 2010, circulating 22.4 million items.<ref name="Berry-2011">{{cite news|title=Library of the Year 2011: King County Library System, WA|author=Berry, John, III|url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/890760-264/library_of_the_year_2011.html.csp|date=June 15, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2011|work=Library Journal|quote=Among the benchmarks was circulating 22.4 million items—more than any other library system in the United States—to the 1,318,745 people who live in King County.}}</ref> It consists of 50 libraries, a Traveling Library Center, a mobile TechLab, and the ABC Express children’s library van. KCLS offers a collection of more than 4.1 million items, including books, periodicals, newspapers, audio and videotapes, films, CDs, DVDs and extensive online resources. All KCLS libraries offer free [[Wi-Fi]] connections. Patrons can check out 100 items at once and hold up to 50 items.


==History==
==History==
The library system began in 1942 when voters in King County established the King County Rural Library District in order to provide library services to people in “rural” areas with no easy access to city libraries. Funding for the library system was (and still is) provided from the property tax bases of unincorporated areas, and from contracts with cities and towns for the provision of library services. Funding measures for the system passed in 1966, 1977, 1980, 1988, 2002, 2004, and 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=History of Your King County Library System|author=King County Library System |url=http://www.kcls.org/about/history/index.cfm}}</ref> Property taxes account for 94% of revenue today. The KCLS budget for 2012 is $84.8 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=King County Library System 2010 Annual Budget|author=King County Library System |url=http://www.kcls.org/about/budget/archives/2012%20Final%20Annual%20Budget.pdf}}</ref> The name of the organization was chaged from the King County Rural Library District to the present-day King County Library System in 1978,
The library system began in 1942 when voters in King County established the King County Rural Library District in order to provide library services to people in rural areas with no easy access to city libraries. Funding for the library system is provided from property taxes. Funding measures for the system passed in 1966, 1977, 1980, 1988, 2002, 2004, and 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://kcls.org/history/ |publisher=King County Library System |access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> Property taxes account for 94% of revenue today. The KCLS budget for 2017 was $120 million.<ref name="2017Budget"/> The name of the organization was changed from the King County Rural Library District to the present-day King County Library System in 1978,
although the old words "Rural Library District" is still part of the organization's legal name.<ref>http://www.historylink.org/File/9826</ref>
although the previous name of "Rural Library District" is still part of the organization's legal name.<ref>{{cite web |last=Becker |first=Paula |date=June 6, 2011 |title=King County Library System, Part 1 |url=http://www.historylink.org/File/9826 |publisher=[[HistoryLink]] |access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> The system received a $172 million capital bond in 2004 to rebuild, renovate, and expand most of its existing libraries, as well as building new libraries.


KCLS extends access privileges to residents of its service area, which includes all unincorporated areas of King County as well as residents of every city in the county except [[Hunts Point, Washington|Hunts Point]], and [[Yarrow Point, Washington|Yarrow Point]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Areas Served by KCLS|author=King County Library System |url=http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/librarycards/service_areas.cfm}}</ref> Residents of Seattle – which maintains its own library system – are allowed access to KCLS collections under reciprocal borrowing agreements between KCLS and Seattle's libraries.<ref>{{citation|title=KCLS-SPL Reciprocal Use Borrowing Agreement|publisher=KCLS|url=http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/policies/spl.cfm}}</ref> KCLS also extends reciprocal borrowing privileges to residents of many other library systems in Western and North Central Washington. The cities of Hunts Point and Yarrow Point do not have library service at all.<ref>{{cite news|title=Borrowing Outside of KCLS Service Areas|author=King County Library System |url=http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/librarycards/borrowing_areas.cfm}}</ref>
KCLS extends access privileges to residents of its service area, which includes all unincorporated areas of King County as well as residents of every city in the county except [[Hunts Point, Washington|Hunts Point]] and [[Yarrow Point, Washington|Yarrow Point]],<ref>{{cite web |publisher=King County Library System |date=July 16, 2012 |title=Areas Served by KCLS |url=http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/librarycards/service_areas.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201083348/http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/librarycards/service_areas.cfm |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> which do not offer any library service at all.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=King County Library System |title=Borrowing Outside of KCLS Service Areas |url=http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/librarycards/borrowing_areas.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510182421/http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/librarycards/borrowing_areas.cfm |archive-date=May 10, 2012 |access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> Residents of Seattle – which maintains its [[Seattle Public Library|own library system]] – are allowed access to KCLS collections under reciprocal borrowing agreements between KCLS and Seattle's libraries.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=King County Library System |title=KCLS-SPL Reciprocal Use Borrowing Agreement |url=http://www.kcls.org:80/usingthelibrary/policies/spl.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522002136/http://www.kcls.org/usingthelibrary/policies/spl.cfm |archive-date=May 22, 2012 |access-date=January 5, 2018 }}</ref> KCLS also extends reciprocal borrowing privileges to residents of many other library systems in Western and North Central Washington. KCLS annexed [[Renton, Washington|Renton]]'s public library system in 2010 following a vote by the city's residents.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/group-tries-to-reverse-renton-library-vote/|title=Group tries to reverse Renton library vote|last=Krishnan|first=Sonia|date=February 28, 2010|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=March 1, 2010}}</ref>


In 2011, KCLS won the Gale/Library Journal "Library of the Year" award.<ref name="Berry-2011"/> The library eliminated its [[late fine]]s in 2023 after finding it discouraged borrowing and cost more to collect and process. Replacement fees were instead levied for lost items.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zavala Magaña |first=Daisy |date=April 28, 2023 |title=King County libraries become latest to slash late fees |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/king-county-libraries-become-latest-to-slash-late-fees/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=January 21, 2024}}</ref>
Under a $172 million capital bond passed in 2004, the King County Library system is rebuilding, renovating, and expanding most of its existing libraries, as well as building new libraries.


==Facilities==
KCLS has annexed the city of [[Renton, Washington|Renton]]'s public library system, the result of a vote by the city's residents in February 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/group-tries-to-reverse-renton-library-vote/|title=Group tries to reverse Renton library vote|last=Krishnan|first=Sonia|date=28 February 2010|work=The Seattle Times|accessdate=1 March 2010}}</ref> This library system includes a {{convert|22,500|sqft|m2|adj=on}} library branch built completely over the Cedar River.
KCLS consists of 50 branches, the Traveling Library Center, ABC Express Vans, a mobile TechLab, and a service center located in [[Issaquah, Washington|Issaquah]] that houses the library's administrative offices. A program to build 17 new libraries and renovate or expand 26 other libraries was completed in 2019 with the opening of the Panther Lake Library in [[Kent, Washington|Kent]].<ref>{{cite press release |date=March 13, 2019 |title=KCLS Opens its 50th Library at the Kent Panther Lake Library Grand Opening Celebration |url=https://kcls.org/news/kcls-opens-its-50th-library-at-the-kent-panther-lake-library-grand-opening-celebration/ |publisher=King County Library System |access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Klaas |first=Mark |date=March 24, 2019 |title=Golden milestone: KCLS opens 50th library |url=https://www.kentreporter.com/news/full-service-kent-panther-lake-library-fills-vital-need-on-east-hill/ |work=[[Kent Reporter]] |access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref>


===Branches===
In 2011, KCLS won the Gale/Library Journal "Library of the Year" award.<ref name="Berry-2011"/>


{{Maplink|frame=yes|text=Map of KCLS branches|frame-width=280|frame-height=250|zoom=8
==Services==
|type1=point|coord1={{coord|47.27148|-122.25368}}|title1=*[[Algona, Washington|Algona]]-[[Pacific, Washington|Pacific]] Library<br><br>|marker1=library
KCLS provides several community services King County and Seattle Public Library patrons including participation in Book Clubs, access to Information Technology such as Computer Reservations, Homework Help for kids and teens, Interlibrary Loans, access to Meeting Rooms, Museum Passes, Community Newsletters, Personalized Recommendation, and opportunities to meet with authors. KCLS is an integral part of the county's history and culture, and the state of Washington overall by bringing people together in a shared space to learn, study, and share knowledge and experiences <ref>{{cite web|url=http://kcls.org/|title=King County Library System|date=30 November 2016|work=King County Library System|accessdate=30 November 2016}}</ref>
|type2=point|coord2={{coord|47.298745|-122.218176}}|title2=*[[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]] Library<br><br>|marker2=library
|type3=point|coord3={{coord|47.620011|-122.194249}}|title3=*[[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] Regional Library (largest)<br><br>|marker3=library
|type4=point|coord4={{coord|47.31191|-122.012568}}|title4=*[[Black Diamond, Washington|Black Diamond]] Library<br><br>|marker4=library
|type5=point|coord5={{coord|47.760314|-122.210404}}|title5=*[[Bothell, Washington|Bothell]] Regional Library<br><br>|marker5=library
|type6=point|coord6={{coord|47.495259|-122.307861}}|title6=*[[Riverton-Boulevard Park, Washington|Boulevard Park]] Library<br><br>|marker6=library
|type7=point|coord7={{coord|47.467185|-122.339677}}|title7=*[[Burien, Washington|Burien]] Library<br><br>|marker7=library
|type8=point|coord8={{coord|47.650466|-121.912156}}|title8=*[[Carnation, Washington|Carnation]] Library<br><br>|marker8=library
|type9=point|coord9={{coord|47.359015|-122.121773}}|title9=*[[Covington, Washington|Covington]] Library<br><br>|marker9=library
|type10=point|coord10={{coord|47.408128|-122.319489}}|title10=*[[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]] Library<br><br>|marker10=library
|type11=point|coord11={{coord|47.740324|-121.985761}}|title11=*[[Duvall, Washington|Duvall]] Library<br><br>|marker11=library
|type12=point|coord12={{coord|47.203618|-121.987517}}|title12=*[[Cascade-Fairwood, Washington|Fairwood]] Library<br><br>|marker12=library
|type13=point|coord13={{coord|47.450834|-122.154518}}|title13=*[[Enumclaw, Washington|Enumclaw]] Library<br><br>|marker13=library
|type14=point|coord14={{coord|47.568646|-121.893796}}|title14=*[[Fall City, Washington|Fall City]] Library<br><br>|marker14=library
|type15=point|coord15={{coord|47.294597|-122.331848}}|title15=*[[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]] Regional Library<br><br>|marker15=library
|type16=point|coord16={{coord|47.315586|-122.32088}}|title16=*Federal Way 320th Library<br><br>|marker16=library
|type17=point|coord17={{coord|47.51596|-122.345079}}|title17=*Greenbridge Library ([[White Center, Washington|White Center]])<br><br>|marker17=library
|type18=point|coord18={{coord|47.530418|-122.036886}}|title18=*[[Issaquah, Washington|Issaquah]] Library<br><br>|marker18=library
|type19=point|coord19={{coord|47.759364|-122.252368}}|title19=*[[Kenmore, Washington|Kenmore]] Library<br><br>|marker19=library
|type20=point|coord20={{coord|47.382429|-122.234141}}|title20=*[[Kent, Washington|Kent]] Regional Library<br><br>|marker20=library
|type21=point|coord21={{coord|47.418367|-122.196724}}|title21=*[[Kent, Washington|Kent]] Panther Lake Library<br><br>|marker21=library
|type22=point|coord22={{coord|47.729732|-122.176416}}|title22=*Kingsgate Library (Kirkland)<br><br>|marker22=library
|type23=point|coord23={{coord|47.675763|-122.202927}}|title23=*[[Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland]] Library<br><br>|marker23=library
|type24=point|coord24={{coord|47.754214|-122.280068}}|title24=*[[Lake Forest Park, Washington|Lake Forest Park]] Library<br><br>|marker24=library
|type25=point|coord25={{coord|47.603564|-122.131389}}|title25=*Lake Hills Library (Bellevue)<br><br>|marker25=library
|type26=point|coord26={{coord|47.617169|-122.128455}}|title26=*Library Connection at [[Crossroads, Bellevue|Crossroads]] (Bellevue)<br><br>|marker26=library
|type27=point|coord27={{coord|47.459336|-122.256208}}|title27=*Library Connection at [[Westfield Southcenter|Southcenter]] (Tukwila)<br><br>|marker27=library
|type28=point|coord28={{coord|47.693209|-122.045668}}|title28=*Library Express at Redmond Ridge (Redmond)<br><br>|marker28=library
|type29=point|coord29={{coord|47.379979|-122.048502}}|title29=*[[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]] Library<br><br>|marker29=library
|type30=point|coord30={{coord|47.566902|-122.221156}}|title30=*[[Mercer Island, Washington|Mercer Island]] Library<br><br>|marker30=library
|type31=point|coord31={{coord|47.243336|-122.113022}}|title31=*Muckleshoot Library (Auburn)<br><br>|marker31=library
|type32=point|coord32={{coord|47.537725|-122.167322}}|title32=*[[Newcastle, Washington|Newcastle]] Library <br><br>|marker32=library
|type33=point|coord33={{coord|47.570514|-122.149069}}|title33=*Newport Way Library (Bellevue)<br><br>|marker33=library
|type34=point|coord34={{coord|47.49668|-121.783357}}|title34=*[[North Bend, Washington|North Bend]] Library<br><br>|marker34=library
|type35=point|coord35={{coord|47.678917|-122.128072}}|title35=*[[Redmond, Washington|Redmond]] Regional Library<br><br>|marker35=library
|type36=point|coord36={{coord|47.481876|-122.201984}}|title36=*[[Renton Public Library|Renton]] Library<br><br>|marker36=library
|type37=point|coord37={{coord|47.499848|-122.181288}}|title37=*Renton Highlands Library<br><br>|marker37=library
|type38=point|coord38={{coord|47.771882|-122.385011}}|title38=*Richmond Beach Library ([[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]])<br><br>|marker38=library
|type39=point|coord39={{coord|47.600591|-122.03692}}|title39=*[[Sammamish, Washington|Sammamish]] Library<br><br>|marker39=library
|type40=point|coord40={{coord|47.755575|-122.324717}}|title40=*[[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]] Library<br><br>|marker40=library
|type41=point|coord41={{coord|47.708752|-121.360946}}|title41=*[[Skykomish, Washington|Skykomish]] Library<br><br>|marker41=library
|type42=point|coord42={{coord|47.490565|-122.238557}}|title42=*[[Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Washington|Skyway]] Library<br><br>|marker42=library
|type43=point|coord43={{coord|47.529885|-121.872249}}|title43=*[[Snoqualmie, Washington|Snoqualmie]] Library<br><br>|marker43=library
|type44=point|coord44={{coord|47.474595|-122.283719}}|title44=*[[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]] Library<br><br>|marker44=library
|type45=point|coord45={{coord|47.443201|-122.273729}}|title45=*Valley View Library ([[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]])<br><br>|marker45=library
|type46=point|coord46={{coord|47.450813|-122.459517}}|title46=*[[Vashon, Washington|Vashon]] Library<br><br>|marker46=library
|type47=point|coord47={{coord|47.506921|-122.352894}}|title47=*[[White Center, Washington|White Center]] Library<br><br>|marker47=library
|type48=point|coord48={{coord|47.751485|-122.081922}}|title48=*[[Woodinville, Washington|Woodinville]] Library<br><br>|marker48=library
|type49=point|coord49={{coord|47.361163|-122.308234}}|title49=*Woodmont Library ([[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]])<br><br>|marker49=library


}}
==Facilities==
KCLS consists of 48 branches, Traveling Library Center, ABC Express Vans, mobile TechLab, and a service center located in [[Issaquah, Washington|Issaquah]] that houses the library's administrative offices.


{| class="wikitable sortable"
===Branches===
! Branch Name
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
!!data-sort-type="number" | Square Footage
*[[Algona, Washington|Algona]]-[[Pacific, Washington|Pacific]] Library
|-
*[[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]] Library
*[[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] Regional Library (Largest)
| [[Algona, Washington|Algona]]-[[Pacific, Washington|Pacific]] Library || 5,250
|-
*[[Black Diamond, Washington|Black Diamond]] Library
*[[Bothell, Washington|Bothell]] Regional Library
| [[Auburn, Washington|Auburn]] Library || 20,000
|-
*[[Riverton-Boulevard Park, Washington|Boulevard Park]] Library
*[[Burien, Washington|Burien]] Library
| [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] Regional Library (largest) || 80,000
|-
*[[Carnation, Washington|Carnation]] Library
*[[Covington, Washington|Covington]] Library
| [[Black Diamond, Washington|Black Diamond]] Library || 5,000
|-
*[[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]] Library
*[[Duvall, Washington|Duvall]] Library
| [[Bothell, Washington|Bothell]] Regional Library || 22,500
|-
*[[Cascade-Fairwood, Washington|Fairwood]] Library
*[[Enumclaw, Washington|Enumclaw]] Library
| [[Riverton-Boulevard Park, Washington|Boulevard Park]] Library || 6,536
|-
*[[Fall City, Washington|Fall City]] Library
*[[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]] Regional Library
| [[Burien, Washington|Burien]] Library || 32,000
|-
*Federal Way 320th Library
*Greenbridge Library ([[White Center, Washington|White Center]])
| [[Carnation, Washington|Carnation]] Library || 5,000
|-
*[[Issaquah, Washington|Issaquah]] Library
*[[Kenmore, Washington|Kenmore]] Library
| [[Covington, Washington|Covington]] Library || 23,000
|-
*[[Kent, Washington|Kent]] Regional Library
| [[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]] Library || 10,320
*Kingsgate Library (Kirkland)
|-
*[[Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland]] Library
*[[Lake Forest Park, Washington|Lake Forest Park]] Library
| [[Duvall, Washington|Duvall]] Library || 8,000
|-
*Lake Hills Library (Bellevue)
*Library Connection at [[Crossroads, Bellevue, Washington|Crossroads]] (Bellevue)
| [[Cascade-Fairwood, Washington|Fairwood]] Library || 10,541
|-
*Library Connection at [[Westfield Southcenter|Southcenter]] (Tukwila)
| [[Enumclaw, Washington|Enumclaw]] Library || 20,000
*Library Express at Redmond Ridge (Redmond)
|-
*[[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]] Library
*[[Mercer Island, Washington|Mercer Island]] Library
| [[Fall City, Washington|Fall City]] Library || 5,000
|-
*Muckleshoot Library (Auburn)
*[[Newcastle, Washington|Newcastle]] Library
| [[Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way]] Regional Library || 34,500
|-
*Newport Way Library (Bellevue)
| Federal Way 320th Library || 15,000
*[[North Bend, Washington|North Bend]] Library
|-
*[[Redmond, Washington|Redmond]] Regional Library
| Greenbridge Library ([[White Center, Washington|White Center]]) || 2,300
*[[Renton Public Library|Renton]] Library
|-
*Renton Highlands Library
*Richmond Beach Library ([[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]])
| [[Issaquah, Washington|Issaquah]] Library || 15,000
|-
*[[Sammamish, Washington|Sammamish]] Library
*[[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]] Library
| [[Kenmore, Washington|Kenmore]] Library || 10,000
|-
*[[Skykomish, Washington|Skykomish]] Library
*[[Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Washington|Skyway]] Library
| [[Kent, Washington|Kent]] Regional Library || 22,600
|-
*[[Snoqualmie, Washington|Snoqualmie]] Library
*[[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]] Library
| [[Kent, Washington|Kent]] Panther Lake Library || 5,000
|-
*Valley View Library ([[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]])
| Kingsgate Library (Kirkland) || 10,235
*[[Vashon, Washington|Vashon]] Library
|-
*[[White Center, Washington|White Center]] Library
*[[Woodinville, Washington|Woodinville]] Library
| [[Kirkland, Washington|Kirkland]] Library || 19,500
|-
*Woodmont Library ([[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]])
| [[Lake Forest Park, Washington|Lake Forest Park]] Library || 5,840
{{div col end}}
|-
| Lake Hills Library (Bellevue) || 10,000
|-
| Library Connection at [[Crossroads, Bellevue|Crossroads]] (Bellevue) || 3,740
|-
| Library Connection at [[Westfield Southcenter|Southcenter]] (Tukwila) || 5,085
|-
| Library Express at Redmond Ridge (Redmond) || 300
|-
| [[Maple Valley, Washington|Maple Valley]] Library || 10,000
|-
| [[Mercer Island, Washington|Mercer Island]] Library || 14,886
|-
| Muckleshoot Library (Auburn) || 6,000
|-
| [[Newcastle, Washington|Newcastle]] Library || 11,000
|-
| Newport Way Library (Bellevue) || 8,690
|-
| [[North Bend, Washington|North Bend]] Library || 9,600
|-
| [[Redmond, Washington|Redmond]] Regional Library || 30,000
|-
| [[Renton Public Library|Renton]] Library || 19,500
|-
| Renton Highlands Library || 15,000
|-
| Richmond Beach Library ([[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]]) || 5,250
|-
| [[Sammamish, Washington|Sammamish]] Library || 19,500
|-
| [[Shoreline, Washington|Shoreline]] Library || 20,954
|-
| [[Skykomish, Washington|Skykomish]] Library || 1,042
|-
| [[Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Washington|Skyway]] Library || 8,000
|-
| [[Snoqualmie, Washington|Snoqualmie]] Library || 6,000
|-
| [[Tukwila, Washington|Tukwila]] Library || 10,000
|-
| Valley View Library ([[SeaTac, Washington|SeaTac]]) || 6,558
|-
| [[Vashon, Washington|Vashon]] Library || 10,000
|-
| [[White Center, Washington|White Center]] Library || 10,000
|-
| [[Woodinville, Washington|Woodinville]] Library || 15,000
|-
| Woodmont Library ([[Des Moines, Washington|Des Moines]]) || 9,850
|}


===Mobile services===
===Mobile services===
Line 109: Line 210:
|}
|}


==See also==
==Services==

*[[Seattle Public Library]]
In 2016, KCLS circulated 20.8&nbsp;million items, the third-most in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Library Statistics and Figures: The Nation's Largest Public Libraries |url=https://libguides.ala.org/librarystatistics/largest-public-libs |publisher=[[American Library Association]] |accessdate=January 21, 2024}}</ref>

KCLS is subscribed to [[OverDrive, Inc.|OverDrive]], an online service that offers digital [[e-book]], [[audiobook]], and magazine checkouts for library patrons. In 2023, the library system had 8.8&nbsp;million digital checkouts—the third most of any system in OverDrive worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |last=Blatchford |first=Taylor |date=January 19, 2024 |title=King County Library ranks third in the world for digital checkouts |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/king-county-library-ranks-third-in-the-world-for-digital-checkouts/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=January 21, 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{official|kcls.org|}}
* {{official|kcls.org|}}

{{Washington library systems}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:County library systems in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:County library systems in Washington (state)]]

Latest revision as of 02:32, 12 September 2024

King County Library System
Bellevue Regional Library, the largest library in the system
LocationKing County, Washington, US
TypePublic library
Established1942
Branches50
Collection
Size3.4 million items
Access and use
Access requirementsResidence in King County except the city of Seattle and the towns of Hunts Point and Yarrow Point
Circulation20.8 million
Population served1.4 million
Members703,987
Other information
Budget$120 million (2017)[1]
DirectorHeidi Daniel
Employees901
Websitekcls.org
References: Washington Public Library Statistical Report, 2016[2]

The King County Library System (KCLS) is a library system serving most residents of King County, Washington, United States. Headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, KCLS was the busiest library system in the United States as of 2010, circulating 22.4 million items.[3] It consists of 50 libraries, a Traveling Library Center, a mobile TechLab, and the ABC Express children’s library van. KCLS offers a collection of more than 4.1 million items, including books, periodicals, newspapers, audio and videotapes, films, CDs, DVDs and extensive online resources. All KCLS libraries offer free Wi-Fi connections. Patrons can check out 100 items at once and hold up to 50 items.

History

[edit]

The library system began in 1942 when voters in King County established the King County Rural Library District in order to provide library services to people in rural areas with no easy access to city libraries. Funding for the library system is provided from property taxes. Funding measures for the system passed in 1966, 1977, 1980, 1988, 2002, 2004, and 2010.[4] Property taxes account for 94% of revenue today. The KCLS budget for 2017 was $120 million.[1] The name of the organization was changed from the King County Rural Library District to the present-day King County Library System in 1978, although the previous name of "Rural Library District" is still part of the organization's legal name.[5] The system received a $172 million capital bond in 2004 to rebuild, renovate, and expand most of its existing libraries, as well as building new libraries.

KCLS extends access privileges to residents of its service area, which includes all unincorporated areas of King County as well as residents of every city in the county except Hunts Point and Yarrow Point,[6] which do not offer any library service at all.[7] Residents of Seattle – which maintains its own library system – are allowed access to KCLS collections under reciprocal borrowing agreements between KCLS and Seattle's libraries.[8] KCLS also extends reciprocal borrowing privileges to residents of many other library systems in Western and North Central Washington. KCLS annexed Renton's public library system in 2010 following a vote by the city's residents.[9]

In 2011, KCLS won the Gale/Library Journal "Library of the Year" award.[3] The library eliminated its late fines in 2023 after finding it discouraged borrowing and cost more to collect and process. Replacement fees were instead levied for lost items.[10]

Facilities

[edit]

KCLS consists of 50 branches, the Traveling Library Center, ABC Express Vans, a mobile TechLab, and a service center located in Issaquah that houses the library's administrative offices. A program to build 17 new libraries and renovate or expand 26 other libraries was completed in 2019 with the opening of the Panther Lake Library in Kent.[11][12]

Branches

[edit]
Map
Map of KCLS branches
Branch Name Square Footage
Algona-Pacific Library 5,250
Auburn Library 20,000
Bellevue Regional Library (largest) 80,000
Black Diamond Library 5,000
Bothell Regional Library 22,500
Boulevard Park Library 6,536
Burien Library 32,000
Carnation Library 5,000
Covington Library 23,000
Des Moines Library 10,320
Duvall Library 8,000
Fairwood Library 10,541
Enumclaw Library 20,000
Fall City Library 5,000
Federal Way Regional Library 34,500
Federal Way 320th Library 15,000
Greenbridge Library (White Center) 2,300
Issaquah Library 15,000
Kenmore Library 10,000
Kent Regional Library 22,600
Kent Panther Lake Library 5,000
Kingsgate Library (Kirkland) 10,235
Kirkland Library 19,500
Lake Forest Park Library 5,840
Lake Hills Library (Bellevue) 10,000
Library Connection at Crossroads (Bellevue) 3,740
Library Connection at Southcenter (Tukwila) 5,085
Library Express at Redmond Ridge (Redmond) 300
Maple Valley Library 10,000
Mercer Island Library 14,886
Muckleshoot Library (Auburn) 6,000
Newcastle Library 11,000
Newport Way Library (Bellevue) 8,690
North Bend Library 9,600
Redmond Regional Library 30,000
Renton Library 19,500
Renton Highlands Library 15,000
Richmond Beach Library (Shoreline) 5,250
Sammamish Library 19,500
Shoreline Library 20,954
Skykomish Library 1,042
Skyway Library 8,000
Snoqualmie Library 6,000
Tukwila Library 10,000
Valley View Library (SeaTac) 6,558
Vashon Library 10,000
White Center Library 10,000
Woodinville Library 15,000
Woodmont Library (Des Moines) 9,850

Mobile services

[edit]
  • ABC Express
  • Traveling Library Center
  • Techlab
  • Library2Go

Services

[edit]

In 2016, KCLS circulated 20.8 million items, the third-most in the United States.[13]

KCLS is subscribed to OverDrive, an online service that offers digital e-book, audiobook, and magazine checkouts for library patrons. In 2023, the library system had 8.8 million digital checkouts—the third most of any system in OverDrive worldwide.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "2017 Operating Budget" (PDF). King County Library System. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  2. ^ "2016 Washington Public Library Statistical Report" (PDF). Washington State Library. October 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Berry, John, III (June 15, 2011). "Library of the Year 2011: King County Library System, WA". Library Journal. Retrieved June 18, 2011. Among the benchmarks was circulating 22.4 million items—more than any other library system in the United States—to the 1,318,745 people who live in King County.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "History". King County Library System. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  5. ^ Becker, Paula (June 6, 2011). "King County Library System, Part 1". HistoryLink. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  6. ^ "Areas Served by KCLS". King County Library System. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  7. ^ "Borrowing Outside of KCLS Service Areas". King County Library System. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  8. ^ "KCLS-SPL Reciprocal Use Borrowing Agreement". King County Library System. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Krishnan, Sonia (February 28, 2010). "Group tries to reverse Renton library vote". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  10. ^ Zavala Magaña, Daisy (April 28, 2023). "King County libraries become latest to slash late fees". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  11. ^ "KCLS Opens its 50th Library at the Kent Panther Lake Library Grand Opening Celebration" (Press release). King County Library System. March 13, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  12. ^ Klaas, Mark (March 24, 2019). "Golden milestone: KCLS opens 50th library". Kent Reporter. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  13. ^ "Library Statistics and Figures: The Nation's Largest Public Libraries". American Library Association. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Blatchford, Taylor (January 19, 2024). "King County Library ranks third in the world for digital checkouts". The Seattle Times. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
[edit]
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