Bring your photo ID and verification of physical address (typically this is a piece of mail address to you) to any Latah County Library to sign up for a library card.

If you are under the age of 18 a parent or legal guardian is required to accompany you to get a library card. They must provide their photo ID and proof of local address. We prefer but do not require them to have a card.

• Parents can get cards for their children as long as the children are present.
• Parents may determine at what age they deem appropriate for their child to get a card.
• The library’s minimum age for a child to get a card is “old enough to come to the library with their parent.”

You must reside, or own property, within the boundaries of the Valnet service area or Whitman County, WA.

Library cards expire every 2 years. Just call your branch or come in when your card is close to expiring. Your expiration date can be found in the “Your personal details” tab when you log in to your account. You’ll also get an e-mail if you have an e-mail on file. Cards expire for a few reasons:

• To make sure your contact information is up to date
• To help keep our system current and accurate.

Please bring your library card every time you visit or add it to an app like Stocard. See our tutorial below for information on how to add your card to your device: &list=PL43R3UeU9S1yngkvKLID3sVvCVAvx3t_h

Call your branch and tell us you have lost your card. We will check to make sure it isn’t in our “lost cards” box  and then mark your account as “lost card” and add a note to your account indicating that the card has been lost.  Then next time you come in, bring your photo ID and we can issue you a replacement card for $1.

• First name, last name, middle name (if given).
• Birthdate and month. Year is only saved if under 18.
• First and last name of guarantor for minors.
• Mailing address (and physical, local address if different).
• Phone number and email are now strongly recommended for library account notifications.

What if I want less information saved about me? You can get a Computer Access Only card. It still allows you use of the computers and digital resources, but you cannot check out physical items. While we still need to see your ID and proof of address we save less information:

• First and last name
• Birth month

If you decide to upgrade from a Computer Access Card to a full card, we’ll need to see your proof of address and photo ID again.

The library stores your information in our integrated library system Koha. The information is only used by the automated system to contact you or by library staff to contact you if the automated system cannot, such as for hold arrivals, overdue items, or other library related business. Your information in never shared with other parties. With your permission, your email may be added to our MailChimp mailing list for our monthly newsletter when signing up for a new card or renewing your existing card.

You can pick one of these card options when you come in to get your physical card: Landscape photos by Alison Meyer.

Access to:

• A wide selection of items in a variety formats are available through the Valnet library consortium
• Digital resources, such as OverDrive and many others
• Use of in-building computers

Those without proof of address who have a valid photo ID can open a temporary card. This gives you access to:

• Two print-material checkouts
• Digital library resources
• Computers

After 30 days, your card will expire if you do not visit a library with proof of your local address.

Yes! The library has a procedure for getting you a card. Your card is good for 60 days at a time and you can check out up to 2 print items.