100K library users can now borrow books from 20 Eastern WA branches under new pact
Library patrons from Walla Walla to the Tri-Cities to Prosser will soon be able to borrow books and other materials from local libraries regardless of where they live.
Starting Jan. 2, five library systems spanning much of the Mid-Columbia will offer nonresident library cards to patrons from neighboring systems. Patrons may request guest cards by presenting their home library card at the library they wish to use.
The reciprocal lending program will unite Mid-Columbia Libraries, Richland Library, Walla Walla County Rural Library District, Walla Walla Public Library and Columbia County Rural Library.
The five systems operate 20 individual libraries and branches that collectively serve about 100,000 active accounts. The agreement generally covers physical books but not electronic collections.
A spokesman for the Mid-Columbia Libraries said the program will begin Jan. 2 at libraries whose boards have signed off on the one-year pilot project.
The soft launch will occur throughout January as the systems work to educate members about how it works. After the initial pilot, officials will evaluate it to see if it should continue or be amended.
Who is ready?
Christopher Nulph, manager of Richland’s city-owned library, confirmed it is ready to issue reciprocal cards on Jan. 2. City manager Jon Amundson signed off in December.
Heather VanTassell, director of the Walla Walla Public Library, which serves the city of Walla Walla, confirmed it too will participate and is ready to begin offering reciprocal cards this week.
“We are excited about this opportunity to expand access to library materials and services to both our patrons and patrons of neighboring libraries,” she told the Tri-City Herald.
Officials with the remaining systems could not be reached over the New Years holiday to affirm if they’ll be ready as soon as Thursday.
The five library systems began discussing how to break down jurisdictional boundaries more than a year ago. The Mid-Columbia is one of the rare regions in Washington where libraries largely operated in isolation.
Yakima County was part of the initial discussion but is not currently one of the participants.
5 systems, big footprint
The Mid-Columbia Libraries operates a dozen branches in Benton and Franklin counties and Walla Walla County Rural Libraries has branches in Burbank, Touchet, Prescott, College Place and Vista Hermosa.
Richland, Walla Walla Public and Columbia County each operate a single library.
The Mid-Columbia Libraries has the largest collection overall, with more than 500,000 holdings. Richland is second with 165,000, followed by Walla Walla Public (85,300), Walla Walla County (40,000) and Columbia County (19,000).
The Mid-Columbia system also was the busiest, with 760,500 physical checkouts in 2023.
Richland recorded 462,000, Walla Walla Public recorded 131,000, Walla Walla County recorded 24,500 and Columbia County about 13,000.
