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Children's Cards
(Ages 0-12)

Children age 12 and under will be issued a Children’s Library Card. To receive a card, the child must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian with the required ID.

Additional information:

  • The library card application will also require the signature of a parent or legal guardian. This is the person who will be financially responsible for any lost or damaged materials.
  • Juvenile cards are restricted to movies and television shows cataloged as Juvenile (JDVD). All other movies and television shows will need to be checked out on an adult or teen library card.
  • Cards must be renewed every three years and proof of current address provided.

If you have any questions, please ask at any public service desk.

3 teens in a spiderman pose in the YA section of library
Teen Card
(Ages 13-17)

Minors between the ages of 13-17 will be issued a Teen Library card. To receive a card, teens must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian with the required ID.

Additional information:

  • The library card application will also require the signature of a parent or legal guardian. This is the person who will be financially responsible for any lost or damaged materials.
  • Teen Library Cards are restricted from checking out video games. These must be checked out on an Adult Library Card.
  • Cards must be renewed every three years and proof of current address provided.

If you have any questions, please ask at any public service desk.

Adults sitting at a table in the Western Maryland Room at the library
Adult Card
(Ages 18+)

For adults 18 years and older. A state-issued photo ID and proof of address must be presented to receive a library card.

Additional information:

  • An additional Library of Things Account is required to check out items from the Library of Things (LOT) collection.
  • Cards must be renewed every three years and proof of current address provided.

If you have any questions, please ask at any public service desk.

Students in a school setting sitting at blue round tables
Student RAIL Cards

All Washington County Public School students have special WCFL accounts that work just like a regular library card, only there is no plastic card to carry.

All Washington County Public School students have special Washington County Free Library accounts! Students can check out up to six items and use most digital online resources.

What is RAIL?

RAIL(Raising Access to Improve Literacy) will put you on the right track to finding a world full of information and learning tools available from the public library. 

With the RAIL card, students can:

  • Check out books!
  • Access Digital Library services to use some of our digital resources. (RAIL cards are excluded from using Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby.)
  • Access Washington County Free Library premium online resources including:
    • Literacy and curriculum resources
    • College and career resources
    • Language learning resources
    • Test prep resources
    • Free homework help
    • and MORE!

Hoopla access is excluded for RAIL accounts. All RAIL accounts are fine free, but you still need to return the books!

How does it work?

RAIL works just like a regular library card, only there is no plastic card you have to carry. It is a virtual card. Your RAIL number is made up of a prefix and your student ID number (see example below).

How do I use RAIL at the library?

It's easy! When you check out a book, just tell the WCFL staff that you are a WCPS student and tell them your student number. You can also show them your student ID card if you have one.

How do I use the library's catalog, digital library, and other online resources?

Your RAIL card works just like a regular library card. Any time the library's website asks for your library card number, just enter your RAIL number. The password is set to the student lunch card number.

Prefix + Student Number (Example: rail123456)

r a i l _ _ _ _ _ _

For more information, call your branch library or visit the WCPS Department of Library Media LibGuide.

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Out-of-State Borrower
Library Card

Don’t live in Maryland? Out-of-State Borrower Library Cards are available for a fee of $25/year.

What to Know

  • You must apply in person at one of our eight branches.
  • Families may share one card or purchase separate library cards for additional family members.
  • All family members wishing to apply for a library card must be present at the time of application.
  • Cards may be renewed, but a $25 fee must be paid annually.

If you have any questions, please ask at any public service desk.

Army personnel saluting from behind with the WCFL logo in the right upper corner
Active-Duty Military
Library Card

WCFL is happy to support active-duty military personnel and their families by offering free library cards for any active-duty military members or their families who are residing in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia.

To get an Active-Duty Military Library Card you will need to fill out a library card application and a current Active-Duty Military ID and proof of address at any of WCFL’s eight branches. Proof of residency for temporary addresses will be accepted

Additional Requirements:

  • All members of the family who wish to get a library card must be present at the time of application and separate library card applications must be filled out for each family member.
  • Cards must be renewed annually and proof of continued military affiliation and current proof of address provided.

If you have any questions, please ask at any public service desk.

Woman holding a stack of books in a salmon color sweater with the WCFL logo in corner
Classroom Educator
Library Card

Classroom educators outside of the public schools have the opportunity to sign up for a Classroom Educator Library Card that can be used to check out classroom materials.

Classroom Educator Library Cards are meant as an opportunity to provide additional classroom materials for student use at an elementary level. Materials should remain at the institution where they are checked out until they are returned to a library branch or to the Bookmobile.

To qualify, teachers/educators must be employed at a school or educational institution in Washington County that is willing to meet the following requirements:

  • The person applying for the card must fill out the Classroom Educator Library Card application, show their school/institutional identification at a WCFL branch.
  • The library must be provided with an official letter written on school or institution letterhead from a principal or other authorized administrative personnel stating that the school authorizes the teacher to apply for a Classroom Educator Library Card in the name of the school or institution, and that the school or institution takes financial responsibility for all lost and/or damaged materials checked out on that library card. Continued failure to return materials may result in the revocation of the library card.
  • Classroom Educator library cards must be renewed at the beginning of each school year, or on an annual basis as applicable, and new documentation with a current date must be provided to library staff.
  • An individual applying for a Classroom Educator Library Card must also have a personal library card, unless they do not meet the residential requirements, and library materials for personal enjoyment or personal educational needs must be checked out under the individual’s regular library card.

The loan period for the Classroom Educator Library Cards will depend on where the materials are checked out. Items checked out from the Bookmobile will have a four-week loan period, with three renewals. Other locations will have the standard three-week loan period with three renewals. Materials checked out on Classroom Educator Library Cards are also eligible for automatic renewal.

Library of Things desk at Library - Beyond Books on desk with colorful images
Library of Things (LOT) Accounts

Anyone 18 or older who lives, works, or goes to school in Maryland may apply in person at the LOT Desk on the second floor of the Fletcher Library in Hagerstown.

What to Know

  • A regular WCFL library card in good standing is required before you can sign up to borrow items from the Library of Things. You will also be asked to sign a liability waiver on an annual basis.
  • Your Library of Things library card number will be the barcode number on your regular WCFL library card, with the letters LOT added in front of the number.
  • Your regular library card account will be blocked if you accrue $30 or more in fines or fees on your LOT account.

If you have any questions, please ask at any public service desk.