In an effort to ensure consistently high-quality service to City of Richland residents and be accountable to funding sources, the Richland Public Library will extend library services to non-residents of the City of Richland for an annual fee. A non-resident shall be defined as a resident of an area outside of the corporate boundaries of the City of Richland.

In accordance with RCW 27.12.210, 27.12.270, 27.12.280, and other relevant Washington State Law, the Richland Public Library will provide library services to all non-residents of the City of Richland within the context of this policy. Non-residents shall follow all policies of the Richland Library Board of Trustees, as expected of City of Richland residents.

The Richland Public Library will support cooperative efforts to advance library service in the region. Pursuant to RCW authority, and other applicable policies, the Richland Public Library Board may reach agreements with another governmental unit or library Board of Trustees to provide library services to a "group of non-residents" otherwise served by another library. In the event of such an agreement, these non-residents would not be charged a non-resident fee.

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Card Categories

The Richland Public Library will provide three categories of non-resident cards: Individual, Family, and iCard. Individual and Family cards can access our full collection. The iCard is only valid for access to digital resources. Review the Circulation Policy for complete card privileges. Non-resident cards will automatically expire one year after date of issue.

Fees

The Board will annually establish non-resident fees (See: Fee Schedule) for the following budget year upon adoption of the Library's annual budget by the City Council. The fees will be set after the Board has determined that the fees reflect a fair value for services and that the fees are applied equitably. Fees are not refundable. Payments will not be accepted for less than one year and there is no rebate for any unused portion of the time.

Exemptions

The following categories of non-residents will be exempt from this policy and are eligible for a library card at no cost:

• Individuals paying property taxes to the City of Richland
• Any non-resident students attending Washington State University Tri-Cities (WSUTC), Columbia Basin College (CBC), Richland School District 400, and other schools located within the Richland School District 400 boundaries
• Any non-resident employees of educational institutions serving the City of Richland, which encompasses WSUTC, CBC, or the Richland School District 400
• Volunteers who consistently contribute 10 hours a month, or more, to the library will be granted full library privileges for the duration of their volunteer tenure
• City of Richland employees

Proof of Exemption

Proof of exemption will be required at the time of registration for a non-resident to receive a library card at no cost. In addition to items currently required by the Circulation Policy, exemption proof includes:

• Current tax receipt, showing property taxes paid to the City of Richland
• City of Richland business license
• Current employment identification at WSUTC, CBC, or the Richland School District 400.
• Current student identification showing enrollment at WSUTC, CBC, or the Richland School District 400
• Current City of Richland employment verification
• Such other documentation the Library Manager would deem acceptable

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• Adopted by the Richland Public Library Board on April 2, 1998
• Amended May 7, 1998, March 4, 2004, October 9, 2007, September 9, 2008, September 2, 2014, and March 8, 2022.