Ocean Shores residents that want a card from another system to obtain online genealogy resources they can then use from their home computer are not entirely without choices. As noted in another post, people who work in the TRL area can get that card for free. In addition, the 3 library systems discussed in this post are somewhat different than most in that they may allow Ocean Shores residents to obtain a card. Two of the three systems include FamilySearch Affiliate libraries at the branch noted. As with most other library systems, they will allow access to their online resources if you bring your own computer and use the Wi-Fi.
It probably makes no sense to get more (at most) than one of these cards. If I were to suggest an approach, I’d try Pierce County first, since it has an online eCard and provides access to both HeritageQuest and MyHeritage. Should Pierce County not allow OS residents to be card holders, I’d try the North Olympic System first and then the Kitsap System. Forks is a 2 hour drive from Ocean Shores and is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library while Bremerton is a 2 ½ hour drive. In any case, I’d call before hopping in a car unless I happened to be going that way for other reasons.
Pierce County Library System (PCL at Tacoma*)
* PCL is entirely separate from the Tacoma Public Library, though their main branch is also
in Tacoma. Tacoma Public Library does not have reciprocity with any place in Grays Harbor County. PCL is more “outsider friendly.”
Free PCL Library Card Online or in Person
Online registration for a Pierce County library card is open to Pierce County residents and residents within the service areas of libraries with reciprocal borrowing agreements. TRL is such a library system. Their web site goes on to talk about how you can’t get service from them if you live in a place with no library. Since Ocean Shores has a library, you might be able to get a PCL Card. It would be nice if they were a little more precise. In any event, it appears that you could simply sign up for a card online using your Ocean Shores address. For sure PCL is OK for people that have TRL cards. Complete the online form to register for an online library card (eCard). A valid email address is required to receive your library eCard number. A Pierce County library eCard allows you immediate to access online databases. To check out books or use Interlibrary Loan you have to go to a Pierce County branch and get a physical Library Card. In any event, Pierce County is further than I’d want to go to check out and return a physical book, but an eCard would let you use any of its resources you’d want to use that aren’t available at other, nearer libraries.
Purchase a PCL Card
No method listed on their site.
Interlibrary Loan at PCL
This service requires a physical Pierce County Library Card. Their policies are similar to TRL, including an upper limit of how much you’d be willing to pay. They always attempt to borrow from US libraries willing to loan for free, and most libraries do loan for free. But if the only owning libraries charge a borrowing fee for ILL, the stated upper limit determines if they continue or cancel the ILL request.
If requesting an article or obituary copy, proceed as though requesting the title for purchase, and then select the specific format. The library will then figure out how to provide the article and/or obituary specific information.
Kitsap Regional Library (KRL - FamilySearch Affiliate in Bremerton)
The KRL is located in Bremerton and Bainbridge Island. Bremerton is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, meaning that if you log into FamilySearch while in their Wi-Fi zone, added images of selected collections will appear.
Free KRL Library Card
An individual residing outside of Kitsap County may receive a KRL card if they “live in an area of Washington State that supports public library service.” They aren’t more specific than that. Library cards provide access to all of the resources in the library including research databases, ebooks, books, DVDs, CDs and more. Pretty much for sure you can get a card if you are a TRL card holder. There's a good chance you can get one as an OSPL card holder.
Purchase a KRL Card
No method listed on their site.
Obtain a KRL Card Online
Only Kitsap County residents can apply online at this time. An e-Card allows you to place holds on items and check out downloadable content like eBooks, digital magazines and music, as well as access research databases.
Interlibrary Loan at KRL
Interlibrary loan charges pass through if the lending library charges. This is similar to TRL and PCL
North Olympic Library System (NOL - FamilySearch Affiliate in Forks)
The NOL Main Branch is in Port Angeles. Somewhat unusually, the branch of Forks is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library rather than the main branch. Perhaps that is because the Clallam County Genealogical Society in Port Angeles is designated as an Affiliate Library. Luckily for anyone in Ocean Shores, Forks is much closer than Port Angeles.
Free NOL Library Card
Any resident of, or property owner in, Clallam County may receive a Full Service card as may residents of other communities within Washington State that “provide tax support for public library services.” TRL is such a library. Bring ID and your TRL card. OS also provides tax support for its library so OS residents can probably get a NOL card.
Purchase a NOL Card
The fee for a NOL Paid Subscriber (nonresident) card is $60 per year, or $30 for six months, per household.
Obtain a NOL Card Online
North Olympic does offer a “temporary” online card registration. Accounts created online and will expire after three (3) months unless the patron confirms their account information with staff at any NOL location. Once the account information is confirmed, a regular Full Service or Limited Service library card will be issued. As at other FamilySearch Affliate libraries, this added capability only works inside the library Wi-Fi zone.
Interlibrary Loan at NOLS
You can place up to 25 ILL requests per calendar year with no fee. For each ILL request beyond 25 you will be assessed a $5.00 fee. For an occasional ILL, this is the best deal in Western Washington – as long as you don’t count the cost of traveling to put in and pick up the ILL item. OTOH, if your aunt lives across the street from the Forks Library, you are in luck.
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.
It probably makes no sense to get more (at most) than one of these cards. If I were to suggest an approach, I’d try Pierce County first, since it has an online eCard and provides access to both HeritageQuest and MyHeritage. Should Pierce County not allow OS residents to be card holders, I’d try the North Olympic System first and then the Kitsap System. Forks is a 2 hour drive from Ocean Shores and is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library while Bremerton is a 2 ½ hour drive. In any case, I’d call before hopping in a car unless I happened to be going that way for other reasons.
Pierce County Library System (PCL at Tacoma*)
* PCL is entirely separate from the Tacoma Public Library, though their main branch is also
 |
| Fife Library photo from Wikimedia by SounderBruce |
Free PCL Library Card Online or in Person
Online registration for a Pierce County library card is open to Pierce County residents and residents within the service areas of libraries with reciprocal borrowing agreements. TRL is such a library system. Their web site goes on to talk about how you can’t get service from them if you live in a place with no library. Since Ocean Shores has a library, you might be able to get a PCL Card. It would be nice if they were a little more precise. In any event, it appears that you could simply sign up for a card online using your Ocean Shores address. For sure PCL is OK for people that have TRL cards. Complete the online form to register for an online library card (eCard). A valid email address is required to receive your library eCard number. A Pierce County library eCard allows you immediate to access online databases. To check out books or use Interlibrary Loan you have to go to a Pierce County branch and get a physical Library Card. In any event, Pierce County is further than I’d want to go to check out and return a physical book, but an eCard would let you use any of its resources you’d want to use that aren’t available at other, nearer libraries.
Purchase a PCL Card
No method listed on their site.
Interlibrary Loan at PCL
This service requires a physical Pierce County Library Card. Their policies are similar to TRL, including an upper limit of how much you’d be willing to pay. They always attempt to borrow from US libraries willing to loan for free, and most libraries do loan for free. But if the only owning libraries charge a borrowing fee for ILL, the stated upper limit determines if they continue or cancel the ILL request.
If requesting an article or obituary copy, proceed as though requesting the title for purchase, and then select the specific format. The library will then figure out how to provide the article and/or obituary specific information.
Kitsap Regional Library (KRL - FamilySearch Affiliate in Bremerton)
 |
| Kitsap Regional Library Logo from Wikipedia by WPNFCC4 |
Free KRL Library Card
 |
| Bremerton Library Photo from Wikipedia by Joe Mabel |
Purchase a KRL Card
No method listed on their site.
Obtain a KRL Card Online
Only Kitsap County residents can apply online at this time. An e-Card allows you to place holds on items and check out downloadable content like eBooks, digital magazines and music, as well as access research databases.
Interlibrary Loan at KRL
Interlibrary loan charges pass through if the lending library charges. This is similar to TRL and PCL
North Olympic Library System (NOL - FamilySearch Affiliate in Forks)
 |
| NOLS Logo from their site |
 |
| Forks Library from NOLS site |
Any resident of, or property owner in, Clallam County may receive a Full Service card as may residents of other communities within Washington State that “provide tax support for public library services.” TRL is such a library. Bring ID and your TRL card. OS also provides tax support for its library so OS residents can probably get a NOL card.
Purchase a NOL Card
The fee for a NOL Paid Subscriber (nonresident) card is $60 per year, or $30 for six months, per household.
Obtain a NOL Card Online
North Olympic does offer a “temporary” online card registration. Accounts created online and will expire after three (3) months unless the patron confirms their account information with staff at any NOL location. Once the account information is confirmed, a regular Full Service or Limited Service library card will be issued. As at other FamilySearch Affliate libraries, this added capability only works inside the library Wi-Fi zone.
Interlibrary Loan at NOLS
You can place up to 25 ILL requests per calendar year with no fee. For each ILL request beyond 25 you will be assessed a $5.00 fee. For an occasional ILL, this is the best deal in Western Washington – as long as you don’t count the cost of traveling to put in and pick up the ILL item. OTOH, if your aunt lives across the street from the Forks Library, you are in luck.
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 – Introduction to this post series
- Regional Library Access – includes a table of what is offered at many libraries in our region
- Nearby Libraries – Ocean Shores Public Library, Timberland Regional Library, and Grays Harbor College Library
- Washington State Library – Where our State keeps its stuff
- Other Public Libraries for OS – This post
- 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
