My Account
How do I get a library card?
You may apply for a library card
online or in person at any Sno-Isle library.
What do I need to get a card?
If you are 18 years of age or older you must show photo identification to fully activate a Sno-Isle library card. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must approve the library card application. Library service is available to most residents of Snohomish and Island counties, as well as to residents of other jurisdictions within Washington state that provide equitable tax support of public library service, at no additional charge.
How long can I check out library materials?
| Most books, CDs, tapes, magazines | 3 weeks |
| High demand/popular books/DVD's |
2 weeks |
| Educational videos and DVDs | 3 weeks |
| Entertainment videos and DVDs | 3 weeks |
| Books on Tape | 3 weeks |
| Playaways | 3 weeks |
| Interlibrary Loan materials | 1-3 weeks, depending on restrictions from lending library |
Can I renew something that I have checked out?
Yes. Most materials can be renewed for the same time period as the initial checkout. The exception is items belonging to the Camano Island branch. These items cannot be renewed. Go to My Account to renew your items online or contact your library branch.
To renew online from My Account enter your library card number, then your last name. If you want to renew only some of your books, click on "Checked out." This will show you a list of all the items checked out on your library card. You can check the items you want to renew, and then click on "Renew selected items" in the left column. If you want to renew all of your books, click on the "Renew all items" button in the left column. The next screen will tell you if the item has been renewed and the new due date.
Renewals are not allowed on the following items:
- Materials on waiting list for other customers
- Interlibrary loan
- Materials for homebound customers
- Camano Island Library materials
- Clinton Library materials
Are there fines on overdue items?
There are no fines on overdue items.
Can I replace a lost item?
If an item is lost or missing, the borrower must reimburse the library for the full cost of replacing the item. Replacement items are not accepted for lost or damaged materials.
Is there a limit to how many CD's and DVD's I can check out?
| CDs | 10 per library card per age level |
| DVDs | 10 per library card per age level |
| PLAYAWAYS | 10 per library card |
| LEARNING KITS | 2 per library card |
How do I change my Pick-Up branch?
If you placed the hold, but want to change the pick-up branch here is what you can do:
- If you just placed the hold, go into your account and cancel it, then replace with the correct pick-up library branch.
- If you are concerned about losing your place in line and do not want to replace the hold yourself, call your Library during open hours.
- Submit this form to our Circulation Services Manager.
E-mail notifications
You can add or update your Email address for your account notifications by filling out the Update Your Information form.
You may notice in your email inbox that email communications we send to you for different services such as Newsletters, Holds/Overdue Notifications and Emailed Express Check Receipts, appear to come from different email addresses. If you use a Spam Blocker, you must enter each of these addresses into your allowed address list. Since these products are all separate products, they are sent out from separate servers and each server has a separate address.
How do I place a hold?
When you locate the full record of your item in the Traditional Catalog you can click on the button on the left side that says "Place hold on this item" or you can add records to your personal list and do them all at once before you end your session.
In the Visual Catalog you will see the words "Place Hold" at the top of the record.
For more detailed instructions see the full catalog help information: Traditional Catalog Help Visual Catalog Help
How do I cancel a hold?
Log into your account. Click on "Holds" in your Patron Information Summary. If the status says, "Request pending" then click on the title. Click on the "Cancel this hold" button on the left side of the screen. Your hold has been cancelled.
When the status of the item is "In transit" or "On hold shelf" call your local library or the Sno-Isle Libraries main circulation department at 360-651-7061, or send an email to the
Sno-Isle Libraries main circulation department to ask them to cancel the hold for you. In the email, please include your name, library card number, and title of the item, with 'cancel a hold' as the subject line.
Can I return my book to a different branch than the one where I checked it out?
Yes, you may return a Sno-Isle book or other library item to any of Sno-Isle's 21 Community Libraries or bookmobile.
Library collections
What if you don't have an item I want?
If you have searched the Traditional Catalog and you have reviewed the Interlibrary Loan FAQ's then you can Request An Item Not In The Catalog .
What are Playaways and how do I find them?
A Playaway is the self-contained audio equivalent of a book that doesn’t require the user to download or insert a CD. They are half the size of a deck of cards. To use, you must supply your own earphones and a standard AAA battery if needed. They have a universal headphone jack that works with almost any type of headphone or mobility accessory.
There are around 100 popular titles for children, teens and adults to choose from including authors such as Jane Austen, Dan Brown, John Grisham, Christopher Paolini and William Shakespeare. Selections can range from six to twenty-four hours.
These digital books can be searched for and placed on hold at www.sno-isle.org for pick-up at any Sno-Isle Libraries location, and can be found on the shelf at the following Sno-Isle Libraries: Freeland, Granite Falls, Marysville, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Snohomish and Sultan.
There are several ways to search for these.
- Here is a quick link to all Playaways at Sno-Isle Libraries
- You could enter search terms, click on the "Limit your search" button, then "Limit by Format" and choose "Books on Player".
- Or from the basic search screen "Select a search type", choose "Call Number". Then put in PLAYER for adult, J PLAYER for children's and TEEN PLAYER for teens. Then you can browse through the entire list.
Is there a limit to how many Playaways I can check out?
No.
How big is a Playaway and how much content can it hold?
Playaway is about half the size of a deck of cards and holds content that ranges from six to 40 hours of play time.
What does the audio sound like on a Playaway?
Playaway audio is of equal or greater quality to digital downloads available today.
How does Playaway compare to digital downloads and other forms of on-the-go downloading like cell phones?
Playaway comes pre-loaded with great digital content, so it does not require information transfer fees, subscriptions, memberships, or even an Internet connection. Just plug-in your headphones and listen wherever you go.
What do I do if my Playaway locks up?
Like any good storyteller, sometimes the Playaway just needs a moment to catch its breath. First, turn it on and off. If that doesn't solve the problem, remove and reinsert the battery.
How do I change the battery?
Locate the battery clip at the wide base of the player. Then, use your thumb, coin or a screwdriver to push the clip which will allow you to unsnap and remove the cover. After that, remove the old battery and replace with a fully charged battery. Lastly, snap the cover back into place.
How do I know how much battery life is left in my unit?
The Playaway LCD has a small battery icon that is displayed on screen. There are four levels of battery life reflected in the icon. When one bar is left in the battery icon, you have 20% power left.
Why can't I add, delete or transfer content on or from a Playaway?
In order to protect the copyrighted works of authors and publishers as traditional books do, you are unable to make copies of Playaway. But you can share them with friends just like you would lend your new bestseller.
Can I use Playaway in my car?
Yes. Playaway was specifically designed to use most commonly available cassette adapters and FM transmitters.
How to find magazines
Browse our Web site Magazine Shelf
Magazine browse is accessible through our Web pages’ top navigation in the drop down menu for Books, Movies, Music. A list of the popular magazines subscribed to by Sno-Isle Libraries with links to current year and to full-text electronic version if available.
- The most recent issues do not check out
- Click on the year of the issues you wish to request and place your hold
- We have only listed years where we expect to have issues available - there can be gaps in the collection and some issues may not be available.
- Older back issues may be available
- Magazines check out for 3 weeks
- This system operates outside of the Traditional Catalog. Saving items in a "Personal List" to place holds in a batch is only available when searching through the Traditional Catalog.
- Place the hold for each item to complete the hold process.
- You must enter your card number each time (try using copy and paste if you are making multiple holds).
We also subscribe to some titles that are not listed here such as local publications, reference magazines and journals, newsletters and newspapers. Older issues may also be available. Please search our Traditional Catalog by title to find the location of these items. See instructions below.
Try our electronic versions if you are looking for a specific article or information within a magazine, or want to browse our full-text magazines:
Using the Traditional Catalog
Search for magazines dated prior to the year 2008:
Using "Exact Title" search -- Type in, for example, "Time 07" and you can browse the list of 07 issues and place holds on individual issues. If you know the exact issue date you can enter it as "Time 07 01 15" [year, month, day] to go straight to that issue.
Search for magazines dated 2008 and later:
Using "Exact Title" search -- Type in, for example, "Consumer Reports 2008" and you will see the 2008 issues. This is the same method as above except you enter the full year instead of the last two digits.
Searching for magazines with "&" in title
If the title of your magazine has the character "&" in it, replace it with the word "and". As a general rule, leave out punctuation when searching for magazine titles. Try with or without punctuation if the title is not found on your first search.
The above methods only work in the
Traditional Catalog. Do not use the Visual Catalog to search for individual issues.
Branch Libraries
How can I find my closest Sno-Isle Library?
When you click on your branch on the map you will see links on that page to locate a more detailed map, driving directions and bus routes.
How can I find out when my library is open?
When you click on your branch on the map you will see the open hours at the top of the page.
How can I find out what programs are coming up at my local library?
You can either go directly to your local library by clicking on the map or visit the Events & Programs pages to search by category, age group, keyword or by branch. View and Print this handy guide to searching the Events and Programming calendar
Can I return my book to a different branch than the one where I checked it out?
Yes, you may return a Sno-Isle book or other library item to any of Sno-Isle's 21 community libraries or bookmobile.
How can I reserve a computer?
You can reserve a library computer online. See the full list of FAQ's about using library computers. The service is also called "Library Online."
How can I volunteer at the library?
Sno-Isle Libraries welcomes volunteers of all ages (Ages 13 and under must be supervised by a parent/guardian at all times) and walks of life. Whether it's a short term project, or a regularly scheduled task, volunteers work to enrich our community libraries programs and services throughout Snohomish and Island counties. See more information about the type of volunteer activities available and how to apply.
How do I donate to the library?
For information about making donations to Sno-Isle Libraries see the Library Foundation.
How do I connect to my library’s wireless service?
All Sno-Isle libraries offer free Wi-Fi access. See the full list of FAQ's about connecting to the wireless service.
How can I reserve a meeting room at a branch library?
The following libraries do not have meeting rooms: Arlington, Brier, Darrington, Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, and Sultan. For reservations at other Sno-Isle libraries please check out the link on each library's Web page titled "About Us & Meeting Rooms" for more information about the types of meeting rooms they have and instructions on who to call to reserve meeting and/or study rooms and availability.
Internet Use
Are library computers filtered?
Anyone using a library computer will automatically receive filtered Internet access. Adults who are 17 years of age or older may request unrestricted access. See the full list of FAQ’s about filtering at Sno-Isle Libraries.
How can I reserve a computer?
You can Reserve a Computer online. Also, see the full list of Reserving a Computer FAQ's about using library computers. The service is also called "Library Online."
What do I need to know when I use library computers?
See the full list of Reserving a Computer FAQ's about using library computers. The service is also called "Library Online."
Is there a charge for printing?
- The first 10 printed pages per day are free
- After ten there is a charge of 10 cents per page for black and white pages
- The 10 pages are counted across the entire system (example: You could print 5 pages at one library and 5 pages at another, but not 10 at one and 10 at another)
- Sno-Isle Library catalog pages or Premium Content Databases are exempt
- Color printing is available at the Lynnwood, Marysville, Monroe, Oak Harbor and Snohomish Libraries
- Color prints are $.50 per page
- The first 10 free prints do not include color prints, except for pages that are exempt from charges
See the
full list of FAQ’s
How do I access the Internet?
Sno-Isle Libraries provides internet access in all its branches. If you’d like to go directly to the internet and enter an internet address (such as www.cnn.com), type it in the address bar that's found at the top of the screen.
Or, if you would like to search the web, try using one of the big search engines:
www.google.com or www.yahoo.com
How do I connect to your wireless service?
All Sno-Isle libraries offer free Wi-Fi access. See the full list of FAQ’s about connecting to the wireless service.
How can I learn computer skills?
Check to see if there is a computer class scheduled in a library near you: Events Calendar
Learn computer skills such as Microsoft Office products using our Learning Express Premium Content self-paced tutorials. Requires a library card to access.
Conducting Research
How do I research a topic?
You can start at our Research Tips page. The Visual Catalog also has some useful tools to help you explore and refine topics.
This database is asking me for a password. What do I do now?
If you are searching Sno-Isle databases from remote locations you will need to identify that you are a Sno-Isle library card holder. You can apply
for your library card online, but If you are 18 years of age or older you must show photo identification to fully activate a Sno-Isle library card. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must approve the library card application. See the
full list of FAQ’s about obtaining a library card.
If you've entered your library card number and last name and you're still being asked for a password, you
can check these security settings .
How can I use your Interlibrary Loan service?
If you have searched the library catalog and you have reviewed the Interlibrary Loan FAQ's then you can Request an Item Not in the Catalog.
Download Help
QuickStart Guide
View the QuickStart Guide to learn about Overdrive download books, music and movies.
Overdrive Catalog
View the OverDrive catalog to view wht you can download.
Traditional Library Catalog Help
How do I use the Traditional Library Catalog?
Traditional Catalog Help
Visual Library Catalog Help
How do I use the Visual Library Catalog (Aquabrowser)?
Visual Catalog Help
Who do I contact if I can't find the answer here?
If you are unable to find the answer to your question you can:
See more
contacts for:
- Help with questions about your library account
- Questions about books or other library materials
- Contacting the Library Director
- Contacting Community Relations
- Contacting Human Resources
- Our reference libraries
- The Webmaster
- The Board of Trustees
