The One Card initiative was begun by Whatcom Libraries Collaborate, a group of library administrators dedicated to expanding library access for better stewardship of resources and greater community impact.
Thanks to a collaborative effort among area libraries, the One Card program allows anyone who lives or goes to school in Whatcom County to check out materials from any public or academic library in the county, and to return them to any library or book drop in the county.
Library One Card is the concept that everyone who lives, works, or attends school in Whatcom County can use their current local library card at any public or academic library in Whatcom County. Materials can be borrowed from and returned to any participating library in Whatcom County. Each library has its own requirements for applying for a library card; check each library's website for details.
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You will need to bring:
- Your library card from Bellingham Public Library or Whatcom County Library System
- One piece of picture identification
- Separate proof of current local address (WWU will accept physical mail and online billing addresses)
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Each library offers their own library catalog, which is linked from their individual library websites.
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Remote online access to databases is only available via your home library. In-library database use is permitted at each library.
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Each library sets its own limits. The academic libraries may have more limits on checkouts to community members than to their own students and faculty. The policies and rules (e.g. fines) of the lending library apply. Please familiarize yourself with them by visiting each library's website.
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Students, staff, faculty, and neighborhood residents may place & pick up public library holds at two locations on local campuses, thanks to agreements between Bellingham Public Library, Bellingham Technical College (BTC), and Western Washington University (WWU).
Modeled on Bellingham Public Library's successful WCC Connection, the BTC Connection and WWU Connection allows public library cardholders to place holds on any item in the public library catalog and select BTC or WWU as a pickup location. Public library staff deliver holds to BTC and WWU weekly, and pick up any returns to bring back to the Central Library. Returned items are be back-dated at check-in to the last pickup date, so patrons do not incur unnecessary fines.
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The WWU Connection is located on the main floor of the Library, Haggard 2, behind the Circulation Desk. Patrons will find their holds on the adjacent shelves and use the WWU Connection workstation to check them out. Items can be returned to the Western Library circulation desk or drop box, or to any other library drop box in the community.
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Please contact the lending library. Each library's local lending and fines rules apply. Each lending library will send out overdue notices, and payment of fines must be done in person at the lending library.
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BPL, WWU, and WCLS currently allow online renewals. This service may be possible online at other participating libraries as well; call or visit in person to see if this is available.
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Contact the lending library. Each library’s local lending and fines rules apply, & they will send out overdue notices. Payment of fines must be done in person at the lending library.
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