Submitted by fradigit t3_1202s75 in Washington

I moved to Washington somewhat recently so haven't seen much of the state outside King County. I would like to try and visit all the reciprocal library systems to King County to get a library card for use in Libby, as well as to force myself out of the house and explore. I have a list of the reciprocal library systems, but each one probably has at least a few branches if not 10+ so I thought I would reach out and see if anyone had strong opinions on which branches I should visit. Any restaurant or other local sight recommendations are also welcome, or specific times of year as I imagine this will be a long project.

Additionally, if you happen to know any issues with my plan or documents I should bring with me besides the King County library card and a bill/ID card as proof of address, please let me know!

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EDIT: I noticed after posting that this list has both library systems and counties, so there's a lot of duplicates. I should only have to visit each library system (and it seems like some of them don't actually require you to go in person, although getting a physical card would be nice).

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The following counties and library systems have reciprocal borrowing agreements with KCLS:

  • Chelan County
  • Clallam County
  • Clark County, excluding Camas
  • Douglas County, excluding Mansfield, Rock Island
  • Everett Public Library
  • Ferry County, excluding Kettle Falls
  • Fort Vancouver Regional Library
  • Grant County, excluding Hartline, Marlin, Wilson Creek
  • Grays Harbor County, excluding Ocean Shores
  • Island County
  • Jefferson County Rural Library District
  • Kitsap Regional Library
  • Klickitat County
  • Lewis County, excluding Mossy Rock, Napavine, Pe Ell, Vader
  • Mason County
  • Milton Public Library (annexed to Pierce County Library System)
  • North Central Regional Library
  • North Olympic Library System
  • Okanogan County, excluding Conconully, Nespelem
  • Pacific County
  • Pierce County Library System, excluding Carbonado, Fircrest, Roy, Ruston
  • Port Townsend Public Library
  • Puyallup Public Library
  • Skamania County
  • Sno-Isle Regional Library
  • Snohomish County, excluding Woodway
  • Tacoma Public Library (residents must have a valid card from their "home" library before adding the reciprocal card from KCLS)
  • Thurston County
  • Timberland Regional Library
  • Woodland in Cowlitz County
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ShawnParksPost t1_jdftok7 wrote

I would think that the best library branch in Clark County would be the main branch of the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries in Downtown Vancouver.

https://www.fvrl.org/loc/vancouver

If you go there on the weekend, the Downtown Farmer's Market is close by.

https://www.vancouverfarmersmarket.com/

And it is right near the Waterfront area.

https://thewaterfrontvancouverusa.com/retail/

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lifeeverordinary t1_jdfqrmv wrote

Lewis county - Centralia and Chehalis libraries are both located in old buildings (centralia’s is cooler imo) but they are both very small.

Puyallup library is very nice, and on Saturdays in the summer they have a great farmers market in the park outside of it.

As a side note In king county if you haven’t checked out the renton library it’s pretty cool, the entire library is on a bridge spanning the cedar river.

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fradigit OP t1_jdg2b3h wrote

I will check those out. I have seen the Renton one, it is very impressive. Unfortunately, I went in Summer and the bridge area had a lot of spiders... It was kinda terrifying as someone with arachnophobia.

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wishforagiraffe t1_jdfl1iv wrote

I think the Silverdale branch is probably your best bet for the Kitsap system. Nearby I'd recommend Silver City Brewpub or Peter's Kitchen.

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SharanskyWailer t1_jdfx4lo wrote

Camas has a VERY good library, although I can definitely believe there are better ones in the county.

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fradigit OP t1_jdg2irv wrote

It looks like Camas might be in the same library system as Vancouver, but if I have time on the trip for that one I will check both out!

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ldpage t1_jdg6wc6 wrote

Camas has its own library, they are not part of FVRL.

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fradigit OP t1_jdg8ett wrote

You are right, I missed that! However, I don't see Camas on the reciprocal listing for King County, and it also looks like for ebooks, they use the Washington Anytime Library (which I got access to through another library earlier today). However, if my journey takes me near there, I will definitely check it out and ask if I qualify for a card.

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hidingfromtrolls t1_jdfxqhl wrote

Thurston County is part of the Timberland Regional Library System. I've only been to three of them: Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. All are pretty nice. The Olympia branch has a zine section, if you're interested in that kind of thing.

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fradigit OP t1_jdg2r2a wrote

Thanks. Yes, after I posted I started googling some more and realized this list has both counties and library systems, so I only need to visit each library system. I will prioritize these for the Timberland visit.

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iamlucky13 t1_jdg8enx wrote

A very interesting hobby and motive to explore. I can definitely offer a couple recommendations to further your plan.

> Sno-Isle Regional Library

> Snohomish County, excluding Woodway

> Island County

Sno-Isle is the library system for most of Snohomish and Island Counties. I've visited two, and they're both good ones if you want to explore:

  • The Snohomish Library is fairly new and quite nice (as it darn well better be, considering the size of its share of my property tax bill). It's close to a touristy historic downtown area along a river with lots of little shops, with plenty of dining options for lunch, or the parking lot is a good starting place for a jog or bike ride on the Centennial Trail. A few dining options include Spada Farm House Brewery (typical brewpub), The Repp (a bit upscale, but reasonably priced), and Snohomish Pie Company (I haven't tried it, but I hear their pot pies are great).

  • The Mukilteo Library is also new and nice. It backs right up to a gulch that serves as a nice park with a few short hiking trails. After you see the library, you'll want to continue along highway 525 to the waterfront. On the way there, you will pass the Future of Flight Museum, which sometime this year should start hosting the Boeing Factory tour again (it stopped during the pandemic) if that interests you. The waterfront park charges for parking, but it's worth it. Arnies is a somewhat upscale restaurant near there, but my choice for lunch would be Diamond Knot Brewery. Then take a walk-on ferry ride. There's not much extra to see on the other side unless you have time to bring your car and drive further on Whidbey Island, but you can get a coffee near the terminal, and I think the Clinton library is within walking distance of the terminal. The main motivation is simply that the ferry rides are really pleasant on sunny day. If it's starting to get chilly when you get back to Mukilteo, clam chowder from Ivar's is a classic for a Mukilteo visitor.

> Lewis County, excluding Mossy Rock, Napavine, Pe Ell, Vader

> Pacific County

> Timberland Regional Library

Timberland Regional Library covers much of Lewis County and the areas west of there.

  • Centralia would be my top pick there. The town is really similar to Snohomish - a small historic downtown with lots of antique shops and a mix of bars and restaurants. The library was built with one of the original Carnegie grants, although has since then been expanded. It's right in the middle of a typical city park, with a monument for the Centralia massacre, if you want to learn some history. I also think the historic train station nearby is kind of neat. There aren't as many dining options, and my choice would be McMenamin's Olympic Club. It's not as nice as some of the newer McMenamin's, but like most of their restaurants, it has it's own unique quirkiness.

  • Honorable mention - I have not visited the Ilwaco library, and it's a long drive, but it looks like it also is part of Timberland, and Ilwaco is in a great area. Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is a must-visit stop on this trip. If you have time, also see the North Head lighthouse, before making your way to Long Beach. I don't know dining options, but Long Beach is probably the better bet for lunch, and maybe to get some saltwater taffy.

> Chelan County

  • Leavenworth, any time of year, but winter might be its most scenic. I've not been to the library, but the town is Bavarian-themed tourist trap in an incredibly scenic part of the state. It might turn out not to be your thing, but you will want to visit Leavenworth at least once to say you did it. They have a big Oktoberfest, which is much too crowded for my taste, but on less crowded days the town is rather charming, despite the kitschiness of it. Beer and brats are available from multiple places, and I don't have a specific preference for any of the options for brats. Icicle Brewing is popular and good for a local pub. My own favorite restaurant there gets overlooked by probably most people, because it's in a basement, it looks cheap, and the service isn't always the best, but King Ludwigs has great German food (not to be confused with Ludwig's Gasthaus). This might also turn out not to be your thing, but personally I'd put just about anything on their menu that is served with spaetzle and rotkraut up against any German food I've had anywhere else.
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fradigit OP t1_jdgakp4 wrote

Thank you for the detailed suggestions! I have been looking the past few hours and did have Leavenworth on my list, but I didn't know about the others. I will add them to my list.

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_former_self t1_jdgco5v wrote

The downtown tacoma one is pretty cool. Aside from the location.

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