FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is the West Slope Library closed?

West Slope Community Library is temporarily closed June 13 - July 31 to facilitate the transition of operations from Washington County to Garden Home Community Library Association. Please join us on Saturday, August 23rd for a reopening celebration! In the meantime, WCCLS staff will bring the colorful Wallace outreach van to the West Slope parking lot at the following times for Summer Reading Program signups, crafts, free books, & a surprise storytime or two!

WCCLS Outreach Van at West Slope Library:

June 16-July 30

Mondays 11am-1pm & Wednesdays 3pm-5pm

How do I return items I have checked out?

Both Garden Home and West Slope have outdoor bookdrops accessible 24/7. You may return any WCCLS items in our drops, with the following exceptions: board games, wi-fi hotspots, and Library of Things items must be returned to their owning library. Hotspots may be deposited in the outside drop, but board games and Library of Things items must be returned to the circulation desk during library hours.

PLEASE NOTE:

  • DURING WEST SLOPE’S SUMMER CLOSURE, THE BOOK DROP WILL BE INACCESsIBLE.

  • items checked out at West Slope will not be due until after the library reopens.

  • during the closure, BOARD GAMES BELONGING TO WEST SLOPE MAY BE RETURNED TO GARDEN HOME.

WCCLS is fine-free county-wide, and no overdue fines will accrue on your account. (WCCLS will continue to charge for items that are lost or damaged, and accounts with more than $20 in lost items will be blocked from further checkouts.)

If you think you have returned an item to us that belongs to another library or is a personal item, you may call or email us to make arrangements for pickup.

What happens if I don’t return items on time?

Library materials no longer accrue overdue fines, but remember to return or renew items on time, as accounts will be billed for items that are not returned.

  • Cardholders will be charged replacement costs for items that are lost or not returned.

  • Cardholders may be charged for damages to items borrowed from the library.

  • Replacement copies are not accepted.

Borrowing privileges are suspended on accounts with $20.00 or more outstanding in fees and charges.

As a courtesy, WCCLS sends a reminder 3 days before library items are due to cardholders who have selected to receive library notifications by e-mail or text.

WCCLS notifies cardholders by e-mail, phone, text, or mail when items are overdue. Bills are sent when items are overdue for 25 days. Be sure to return materials promptly and pay fees or charges. Cardholders may monitor their account: 

  • Online: Visit any time, 24-hours a day through the WCCLS catalog. Click on Patron Account and enter your barcode number and password to access your information.

  • In Person: Ask a librarian for assistance at any WCCLS library.

How long will you hold an item I’ve requested?

WCCLS items are held for seven days. If you have questions about a specific item, or if you wish to inform us of holds you no longer want, contact us with the title and material type of the item(s) in question.

It is difficult for me to come into the library. Is there another way for me to get materials? 

Contact us to arrange for low-contact holds pickup. Some Washington County residents may qualify for Library Mail Service. 

Do you have computers and printers for public use?

Garden Home and West Slope each have several computers available for public use up to 60 minutes, no library card required.

We also have a black-and-white printer. At Garden Home only, the printer also has copy & scan capabilities. Suggested donation is 10¢ per page, and there is a 50 page limit on printing or copying. We do not have a fax machine. For nearby public libraries that offer this service, try Tigard Public Library or any Multnomah County Library.

The library also has free WiFi provided by WCCLS.

Do you have study rooms?

While Garden Home and West Slope do not have dedicated rooms, each library has a few small tables for work or study. The libraries are often quiet, but we cannot guarantee silence at any time of day. If you are looking for a study room to reserve, many of the larger libraries in our cooperative have spaces which may suit your needs.

Are you a ballot drop site?

Can I donate my books to the library?

Garden Home does not currently accept book donations. West Slope donations are temporarily suspended. Please check back in the fall of 2025. In the meantime, if you are looking for a place to donate books or other materials, we recommend contacting the Beaverton Book Corner.

How do I get a library card?

Garden Home and West Slope Community Libraries are proud members of Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS). To get a library card, you may apply at any WCCLS member library. Please remember to bring your Photo ID and proof of address.

Even if you do not live in Washington County, you may be eligible for a free library card. There are many types of cards and a wide range of services available to WCCLS members.

Can I get a library card if I live in Multnomah County?

WCCLS belongs to the Metropolitan Interlibrary Exchange (MIX), which is an agreement between several neighboring counties allowing residents to apply for free library cards at participating libraries. Patrons must register for a library card at each library system they wish to use. Materials must be checked out and returned at the library or library system that issued the library card. Since Garden Home and West Slope are quite close to the border with Multnomah County, many of the folks who use our libraries are able to take advantage of this agreement.

What can I do with my library card?

With a WCCLS card, you have access to 1.6 million items across Washington County. Log in to your account online to search for and request items for pickup. In addition to books, movies, music and magazines, your account includes access to WCCLS-provided digital collections and community resources.