HELP & FAQS

Find the answers to all the questions you may have about Spokane Public Library in one place!

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THE LIBRARY?

You have questions, we have answers. Learn more about Spokane Public Library’s resources and services here. If you can’t find your answer below, contact us

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ACCOUNT BASICS

If you lose your card, please call us immediately at (509) 444-5300 to avoid additional liability. There is no card replacement fee.

  • 3 Weeks | Books, audiobooks on disc, CDs, magazines, downloadable titles (eBooks, audiobooks, comics), and Lucky Day titles
  • 1 Week | All DVDs

  • Physical Items (Books, CDs, DVDs, Magazines) | 500
  • OverDrive/Libby Media | 20
  • Library of Things Items | 2
  • Kanopy Films | 8
  • hoopla Media | 8

Items that are overdue by 14 days or more will be considered lost and you will be billed for the replacement cost and a processing fee. Your account will be blocked if it exceeds a balance owing $50 or more. If the balance is below $50, the account retains full privileges. If you return the items, the fee will be cleared from your account. Accounts will be referred to the library’s collections agency 21 days past the last billing notice if the total bill for the account is more than $75.

If lost items are returned after you have been referred to the collection agency, you will not have to pay the bill on those items but will be charged a non-refundable collection agency processing fee.

If the item is found within 90 days of payment you are eligible for a refund of the item cost (the processing fee is non-refundable as it covers staff time and materials). If the item is found after 90 days of payment it is yours to keep.

If your account is referred to a collection agency, you receive notices directly from the agency. The charges may be paid at any Spokane Public Library. See Uncollectible Patron Accounts Policy.

You will be charged for any library material you return with damages. Individual assessment is made for each item at the time of return and your account is charged repair or replacement costs depending upon the extent of the damage. Materials with multiple parts or in cases must be returned complete. Charges will be waived if the missing part or case is returned promptly.

You create a PIN when you get your library card. This unique, 4-digit number of your choosing allows you to: check your account, renew any items which are eligible for renewal, place holds on Library materials, and use Library computers.

Log into My Account. Change your preferred library location. Browse the catalog and click “Place A Hold” on an item. You may place a hold on up to 80 physical items and 20 OverDrive titles. Magazines and reference materials may not be put on hold. Items are not available immediately when you place a hold on them, even if the item is not already checked out. You will be notified by email when your hold becomes available. It will be held for 5 days from the day that notification is sent out.

You may renew most items three times if there are no outstanding requests for the item. Interlibrary loan items are not renewable. You may renew an item online with your library card and PIN or call (509) 444-5300 to access our automated phone renewal system.

The Library no longer charges overdue fines. We will notify you via email of your due dates and overdue items. If items are not returned by 14 days after the due date, they will be considered lost and you will be charged for the items. Your first overdue notice will remind you what items you have overdue. Your second notice will show the items plus the replacement costs and processing fees for the items if not returned. Once the item has been returned, the replacement cost and processing fee will be removed from your account.

Fees for lost or damaged materials may be paid using this website.

ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE

Any individual, team, or group who considers themselves an artist, crafter, musician, maker, writer, artisan, etc. First preference will be for artists in the greater Spokane area. Artists must be 18 years of age or older. Additional exceptions apply.

  • Open studio hours (10-20 hours per month, arranged in advance to allow for promotion)
  • Use the studio at least 20 hours per week
  • 1-3 public programs (depending on the residency length). These could be classes, lectures or other. Library staff can help design the programs
  • Participation in an exhibit of their works at the Central (or other) Library during or following the residency
  • Respect for the space and other residents of the building; adherence to the customer and presenter code of conduct. Completion of a WA State background check.

  • High quality studio space
  • Publicity
  • Opportunities to exhibit work in Spokane Public Library locations
  • Networking opportunities
  • Assistance in planning programs
  • Community connection

Yes. It would be preferable if you were collaborating in some manner, but we are flexible. Your application must be submitted as a team.

Yes. The same rules for programs and open hours apply. Members of the group would have to determine amongst themselves who would be on site during these events and required staffing times.

No. The studios are not live-in residencies.

There are four studios available at The Hive.

It’s up to you. You can pick between a minimum of one and a maximum of six months.

No one will access the studio when you are not present with the exception of The Hive manager and custodial staff. There will be a security guard at the building at some times.

Yes. Please discuss with The Hive manager if you feel we need an additional rider for anything in particular.

No, since the walls are plywood they should be okay as-is. If you are planning significant hanging structures, please discuss with The Hive manager. You will be expected to leave the space free from debris at the close of your residency (garbage/recycling receptacles will be provided).

Yes, but priority will be given to artists who have not yet had the opportunity.

Artist residencies are unpaid.

The studios are very well equipped with, at minimum: concrete floors, a floor drain, sink, counter, mini-fridge, lots of outlets, good lighting, solid walls for hanging work, separate venting from the rest of the building, heat/AC and WiFi. Additionally, 24/7 access (as needed) and free parking is provided. There is access to a kitchenette with a shared refrigerator and microwave. Each studio has a large butcher block table on wheels with stools and a space for typing.

COMPUTERS & PRINTERS

Click the print now button, choose your location to print to, and upload your document to print from your computer or mobile device. Once you arrive at the Library, visit the self-service kiosk to release your prints using your library card number or guest pass.

Laptop rentals are currently reserved for special events and only available at Shadle Park Library. These laptops may only be used in the library and cannot be taken home.

Yes! At any Library location, visit the self-service kiosk to receive a guest pass to log on to or print from our computers.

GET A CARD

Free library cards are available to all residents or property owners in the City of Spokane or in the Spokane County Library District service area. For those who do not live within city limits and/or do not have property within city limits, including those outside the county or living in Liberty Lake, a card may be purchased for $42 per year or $3.50 per month (per card).

Through a reciprocal agreement with the Spokane County Library District (SCLD), residents of their service area may obtain a free Spokane Public Library card, and vice versa. Subscription database access and interlibrary loans are not included with free reciprocal cards. For those who do not live within city limits and/or do not have property within city limits, including those outside the county and Liberty Lake, a card may be purchased for $42 per year or $3.50 per month (per card). In addition to all in-library services, this fee includes full borrowing privileges, in-library internet access, and remote access to subscription databases. It does not include interlibrary loan services. See Fees & Services to Non-Residents Policy for more information.

Apply for a card online at home or at the Library. To activate your card, please bring photo ID to the library of your choice. This can include current Washington State ID, current Washington state driver’s license, or any other form of official photo ID. All records relating to your library card registration are kept confidential. Library cards are not mailed to you. Please come to the library to pick up a library card.

If you lose your card, please call us immediately at (509)444-5300 to block your card as you are financially responsible for items checked out under your account. There is no card replacement fee.

You create a PIN when you get your library card. This unique, 4-digit number of your choosing allows you to: check your account, renew any items which are eligible for renewal, place holds on Library materials, and use Library computers.

  • Books, CDs, DVDs, & Magazines | 500 Items (at one time)
  • Library of Things Items | 2 Items (at one time)
  • OverDrive/Libby Media | 20 Items (at one time)
  • Freegal Music | 5 Songs or 2 Music Videos (weekly)
  • Kanopy Films | 8 Items (monthly)
  • hoopla Media | 8 Items (monthly)

  • 3 Weeks | Books, audiobooks on disc, CDs, magazines, downloadable titles (eBooks, audiobooks, comics), and Lucky Day titles
  • 1 Week | All DVDs
  • Other | Kanopy movies (2 days), hoopla movies (3 days), hoopla CDs (7 days)

You may renew most items three times if there are no outstanding requests for the item. Interlibrary loan items, Lucky Day titles, and some Library of Things items are not renewable. You may renew an item online with your library card and PIN or call (509)444-5300 to access our automated phone renewal system.

The Library no longer charges overdue fines. We will notify you via email of your due dates and overdue items. If items are not returned by 14 days after the due date, they will be considered  lost and you will be charged for the items. Your first overdue notice will remind you what items you have overdue. Your second notice will show the items plus the replacement costs and processing fees for the items if not returned. Once the item has been returned, the replacement cost and processing fee will be removed from your account.

Items that are overdue by 14 days or more will be considered lost and you will be billed for the replacement cost and processing fee. Your account will be blocked if the balance owed reaches or exceeds $50. If the balance is below $50, your account retains full privileges. If you return the lost items, the fee will be automatically cleared from your account. Accounts will be referred to the library’s collections agency 30 days past the last billing notice if the total bill for the account is more than $75. A referral fee is assessed on accounts referred to collections. If you pay for an item that is found and returned within 90 days of payment, you are eligible for a refund of the item cost (the processing fee is non-refundable as it covers staff time and materials). If the item is found after 90 days of payment, the item is yours to keep. If your account is referred to a collection agency, you receive notices directly from the agency. The charges may be paid at any Spokane Public Library. See Uncollectible Patron Accounts Policy. You will be charged for any library materials you return with damages. Individual assessment is made for each item at the time of return and your account is charged repair or replacement costs depending upon the extent of the damage.Materials with multiple parts or in cases must be returned complete. A replacement charge will be assessed if missing pieces are not returned promptly.

Log into My Account. Change your preferred library location. Browse the catalog and click “Place A Hold” on an item. You may place a hold on up to 80 physical items and 20 OverDrive titles. Magazines and reference materials may not be put on hold. Items are not available immediately when you place a hold on them, even if the item is not already checked out. You will be notified by email when your hold becomes available. It will be held for 5 days from the day that notification is sent out.

INTERLIBRARY LOANS

Interlibrary loan service is available to library card holders who live within the city limits of Spokane and business library card holders who own businesses within the city limits of Spokane. Non-resident cardholders should contact their home library system for interlibrary loan service.

Through an interlibrary loan, you may borrow books and audiobooks that were published more than 6 months ago, CDs and DVDs, copies of journals and magazine articles or genealogical information, microfilm or microfiche of newspapers, theses, or dissertations. The owning library will make the decision as to whether or not they will lend the material. Customers may only request the same title twice per calendar year. Items not available for interlibrary loan include: videos, music cassettes, downloadable audiobooks, downloadable ebooks, software, genealogy books (though we can request specific copies from genealogy items), books already owned by Spokane Public Library

Contact us to request an interlibrary loan. Only four items can be in process at a time. This includes items that could only be used in the library and microfilm. For each item that has been returned, another item can be requested. Microfilm requests must be for a reasonable date range in order to be processed. Because interlibrary loan items are borrowed from across the United States and Canada, it can take 4-8 weeks to receive an item.

Customers are not expected to pay for interlibrary loans. Spokane Public Library requests items only from free lenders. We do not charge for photocopies we receive through interlibrary loan. Customers will be responsible for paying for any requests that require prepayment, such as for genealogy microfilm.

You can pick up most items at any open Spokane Public Library location. Books and audiobooks are sent to the location specified on the request. “In library use only” books can be viewed at your local branch. Photocopy requests are mailed to the address on the library card. Microfilm or fiche can only be viewed at the Central Library (currently unavailable).

Spokane Public Library’s interlibrary loan service reciprocates by loaning our items to other library systems. We will loan the following: books that are no longer considered new, audiobooks on CD, some reference books to be used in the library only. We do not lend Genealogy items, Inland Northwest Special Collections Items, DVDs, music CDs, electronic items, or microfilm.

MEETING ROOMS

To reserve a meeting room, review the booking calendar and select a time and place you would like to hold your meeting. Click on that space and fill in the required information. You will receive an email confirmation after you have booked. If you need to monitor or cancel your room bookings, please log in using this link. If you do not show up for your reservation within 15 minutes of your scheduled reservation time, you forfeit the room reservation.

Meetings may be scheduled up to two months in advance.

Door codes are emailed to you when you make a reservation online. Your door code is only valid for the duration of your meeting. If you arrive early, your code will not work until the minute your meeting begins. The code will expire when the meeting is finished. At The Hive, the door code can also be used to unlock the front door.

Please contact us if you are interested in reserving these spaces.

Yes.

No, the library does not provide computers for meeting room use.

You may reserve a meeting room up to 10 times per 60-day period.

Here's a link to our meeting room policy document: Public Use of Meeting Rooms, Fee Schedule, and Procedure.

Yes, food and beverages (no alcohol unless you are hosting a special after-hours event with proper licensing) are allowed in the meeting rooms. We just ask that you clean up after yourselves and leave the room as nice as you found it.

All rooms have seating and tables available for use with a whiteboard and television screen with HDMI and wireless capabilities. Studio and event spaces come with full Audio Visual setup with projector and microphones. Assisted listening devices available.

The City of Spokane is committed to providing equal access to its facilities, programs, and services for disabled people. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations or further information may call, write, or email Human Resources at 509-444-5308, 906 W. Main Ave, Spokane, WA, 99201; or spokanelibrary.org/contact. Deaf people or individuals who are hard of hearing may contact us for use of assisted listening devices in library meeting rooms. Please contact us forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting date.

Meeting rooms are free to use unless you are hosting a special event where people are charged to attend your meeting. For more information, please read our meeting room policy: Public Use of Meeting Rooms

If you are interested in reserving time in the Business Lab or Media Studios, visit this link and click "Booking Type" to choose the spaces you are interested in.

MUSIC LESSONS

Anyone, starting at age 10. No prior experience necessary. Lessons will cover introductory music theory and contemporary techniques.

We’ll provide an instrument and equipment for your lesson, but you can also check out an instrument pack to practice at home.

Lessons can be held either in-person at Central Library or virtually. Appointments may be booked here.

Upcoming events