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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.