Nearby Libraries are those which are, at most, an express bus ride away. These ought to be the first ones someone doing genealogical research considers. Two of the three can be of significant help to the researcher. The first of these is the Ocean Shores Public Library, the second is the Timberland Regional Library System, with libraries in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, and the third, much less useful one is the Gray’s Harbor College Library in Aberdeen. The first two both offer Interlibrary Loan (ILL) connected with the Worldcat system, have good in-library Wi-Fi, and the Timberland System adds some genealogy-specific online resources. Both are free to residents and cards can be purchased by nonresidents for either short or longer terms. The GHC is less useful because it is oriented towards its student population who aren't generally interested in genealogy. It is included since it is nearby and people might wonder about its genealogy research facilities.
Ocean Shores Public Library (OSPL next to the police station)
OSPL is a single-library system in the City of Ocean Shores. While it operates on a tight budget which prevents it from subscribing from some of the databases that larger and better funded systems can afford, it still was recently able to expand due to generous donation money. As a result, it has been able to expand its meeting room so the local genealogical society won't outgrow the space where we meet. Seriously, there were many more improvements made as well including updated library computers and remodeling throughout the building. Combined with the Family History Center on Albatross (which DOES have access to more and better online databases than any public library in the region, we're pretty well fixed. Well, unless you are looking for databases you can access while at home.
Free OSPL Library Card
OSPL cards are free to residents and property owners in Ocean Shores, as well as North Beach students. OSPL does not have reciprocity with other library systems in Washington, though some may allow you to get one of their cards anyway. OSPL is a Worldcat Library member and, as such, it may be able to get many materials found in the Worldcat system via Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
Purchase a OSPL Card
The price is $45 per year, with the option of a three-month card at $15. The OSPL website notes that some places near Ocean Shores may actually be part of the Timberland Library System.
Obtain a OSPL Card Online
There is no online registration to obtain an Ocean Shores card, but registration is simple and quick.
Interlibrary Loan at OSPL
Ocean Shores may be able to request an item from another library on Interlibrary Loan (ILL) for their patrons. The cost is $3 and is due when the loan is made. The ILL request form is here, but the best way to get an ILL is to talk with the librarian for advice and then fill out the form. $3 may sound like a lot to simply borrow a book, but I recently borrowed a $650 book (Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography) via interlibrary loan at my library in North Texas and the book came from a couple of hundred miles away. I needed information from about six pages of the book. No small library could afford to actually keep such material in their collection.
Timberland Regional Library (TRL at Aberdeen & Hoquiam)
Free TRL Library Card
TRL cards are free to people who meet any of the following criteria:
Purchase a TRL card
Residents of Washington State and Clatsop County in Oregon, not in the TRL Service Area and not covered by a reciprocal agreement or cooperative service area, may purchase a Non-Resident card. In 2020, the price is $64 per year, with the option of a six-month card at $32, a three-month card at $16, or a one-month card at $6. Visit any Timberland Regional Library to apply.
Obtain a TRL Card Online
Online registration provides temporary access (for 14 days) and allows searching online databases and place holds on two titles. It does not allow checking out items from the library or downloading e-books, audiobooks, music, movies and TV shows. It requires a physical address on the form. I don’t know if putting in an Ocean Shores address would cause the online form to be rejected or not. Either way, it’s only good for 14 days. In any event, you do not need a card if you are at the library with your own Wi-Fi enabled computer at TRL or any other Western Washington library.
Interlibrary Loan at TRL
TRL may be able to request an item from another library on Interlibrary Loan (ILL) for TRL patrons (library card is required). Items published within the past year cannot be requested through ILL, but will be forwarded for purchase consideration.
TRL will pass through to patrons any fees that other library systems charge to fill TRL ILL requests. Most ILL transactions do not have a fee. You are required to state how much you will pay to obtain an item through ILL.
Grays Harbor College Library (GHC in Aberdeen)
Free GHC Library Card
GHC students are automatically registered for the quarter in which they are enrolled. Community users register at the main library counter, and must provide picture ID and proof of residence within Grays Harbor or Pacific Counties. Community user registration expires at the end of the fiscal year, after which it may be renewed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that GHC offers much in the way of history or genealogy resources. It’s mainly included in this series because it is in Aberdeen.
Notes about community user privileges:
Informational materials (books, magazines, DVD’s, etc.) may be borrowed by a community patron, but are subject to recall if requested by a student or employee for college related use. Conditions of access to on-line services are typically governed by contract with the company providing the service.
Interlibrary Loan at GHC
Interlibrary borrowing is not provided to community users.
Post Series Roadmap
These posts need not be viewed in any particular order, and Hoquiam residents will be less interested in the “Libraries to Consider” while Ocean Shores residents will be less interested in the “Seattle’s Special” topic.
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| OSPL Photos From Their Website |
Ocean Shores Public Library (OSPL next to the police station)
OSPL is a single-library system in the City of Ocean Shores. While it operates on a tight budget which prevents it from subscribing from some of the databases that larger and better funded systems can afford, it still was recently able to expand due to generous donation money. As a result, it has been able to expand its meeting room so the local genealogical society won't outgrow the space where we meet. Seriously, there were many more improvements made as well including updated library computers and remodeling throughout the building. Combined with the Family History Center on Albatross (which DOES have access to more and better online databases than any public library in the region, we're pretty well fixed. Well, unless you are looking for databases you can access while at home.
Free OSPL Library Card
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| OSPL Gives you both a Full-Size and a Key Chain Card |
Purchase a OSPL Card
The price is $45 per year, with the option of a three-month card at $15. The OSPL website notes that some places near Ocean Shores may actually be part of the Timberland Library System.
“Tax payers that live outside of Ocean Shores may see a library charge on their property tax statement, this supports the library in that region. For example, North Beach residents see a library charge that supports the Timberland Library System and their closest regional library is located in Hoquiam.”Check your tax statement if you live north of the Ocean Shores portal, or any place that has a Hoquiam mailing address. Oyehut, Hogan’s Corner and Ocean City are probably part of the Timberland system rather than Ocean Shores.
Obtain a OSPL Card Online
There is no online registration to obtain an Ocean Shores card, but registration is simple and quick.
Interlibrary Loan at OSPL
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| North Beach Genealogical Meets in OSPL |
Ocean Shores may be able to request an item from another library on Interlibrary Loan (ILL) for their patrons. The cost is $3 and is due when the loan is made. The ILL request form is here, but the best way to get an ILL is to talk with the librarian for advice and then fill out the form. $3 may sound like a lot to simply borrow a book, but I recently borrowed a $650 book (Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography) via interlibrary loan at my library in North Texas and the book came from a couple of hundred miles away. I needed information from about six pages of the book. No small library could afford to actually keep such material in their collection.
Timberland Regional Library (TRL at Aberdeen & Hoquiam)
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| Hoquiam Library Wikimedia photo by Joe Mabel |
TRL cards are free to people who meet any of the following criteria:
- Anyone living or owning property in TRL's 5-county Service Area: Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties (except residents of these cities: Mossyrock, Napavine, Ocean Shores, Pe Ell, and Vader).
- Non-resident individuals who work in or attend school in the TRL Service Area. This means that if you live in Ocean Shores and WORK in Aberdeen or Hoquiam, you can still get a free TRL card.
- Residents of library districts that have reciprocal borrowing agreements with TRL.
- Residents of other areas outside of the TRL Service area within Washington that have tax-supported public library service (except the places listed above).
Purchase a TRL card
Residents of Washington State and Clatsop County in Oregon, not in the TRL Service Area and not covered by a reciprocal agreement or cooperative service area, may purchase a Non-Resident card. In 2020, the price is $64 per year, with the option of a six-month card at $32, a three-month card at $16, or a one-month card at $6. Visit any Timberland Regional Library to apply.
Obtain a TRL Card Online
Online registration provides temporary access (for 14 days) and allows searching online databases and place holds on two titles. It does not allow checking out items from the library or downloading e-books, audiobooks, music, movies and TV shows. It requires a physical address on the form. I don’t know if putting in an Ocean Shores address would cause the online form to be rejected or not. Either way, it’s only good for 14 days. In any event, you do not need a card if you are at the library with your own Wi-Fi enabled computer at TRL or any other Western Washington library.
Interlibrary Loan at TRL
TRL may be able to request an item from another library on Interlibrary Loan (ILL) for TRL patrons (library card is required). Items published within the past year cannot be requested through ILL, but will be forwarded for purchase consideration.
TRL will pass through to patrons any fees that other library systems charge to fill TRL ILL requests. Most ILL transactions do not have a fee. You are required to state how much you will pay to obtain an item through ILL.
Grays Harbor College Library (GHC in Aberdeen)
Free GHC Library Card
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| GHC Logo from Wikipedia |
GHC students are automatically registered for the quarter in which they are enrolled. Community users register at the main library counter, and must provide picture ID and proof of residence within Grays Harbor or Pacific Counties. Community user registration expires at the end of the fiscal year, after which it may be renewed. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that GHC offers much in the way of history or genealogy resources. It’s mainly included in this series because it is in Aberdeen.
Notes about community user privileges:
Informational materials (books, magazines, DVD’s, etc.) may be borrowed by a community patron, but are subject to recall if requested by a student or employee for college related use. Conditions of access to on-line services are typically governed by contract with the company providing the service.
Interlibrary Loan at GHC
Interlibrary borrowing is not provided to community users.
Post Series Roadmap
These posts need not be viewed in any particular order, and Hoquiam residents will be less interested in the “Libraries to Consider” while Ocean Shores residents will be less interested in the “Seattle’s Special” topic.
- North Beach Genealogy Goes to the Library – An introduction to this post series
- Regional Library Access – includes a table of what is offered at many libraries in our region
- Nearby Libraries – This post
- Washington State Library – Where our State keeps its stuff
- Other Public Libraries for OS – Pierce County Library, Kitsap Regional Library, and North Olympic Library may offer cards to OS residents, or not
- Seattle's Special – The Seattle Public Library offers some things no other system can match. It’s nice to be giant and rich!
- Beyond the Library – All the genealogy you could ever want without a trip out-of-state
