NOLS has two new limited-edition library card designs to choose from, created by Clallam County artists Sarah Necco and Lance Snider. Plus, the library is looking for three more designs—and yours could be next! Enter the Library Card Art Contest by May 30, 2025.

On March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order directing the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to significantly reduce its operations. NOLS is funded primarily through Clallam County property taxes, but a loss of federal funding and the IMLS will still have a big impact on local library services.

Unlock all access to The New York Times for free with your library card. Experience all of the digital products, including News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, The Athletic, and more.

NOLS patrons can now use Kanopy, a streaming platform that provides online access to a diverse collection of movies and TV shows. With a library card, you can borrow and instantly watch content using an app on your mobile device or TV, or by using a web browser.

Beginning Thursday, January 2, 2025, the North Olympic Library System will implement new operating hours. These slight changes are based on current library needs with staff scheduling, public usage data, and feedback gathered from the community survey conducted this past fall.

Libraries in Port Angeles and Sequim will open one hour later at 10am on Saturday mornings. Clallam Bay Library will open one hour later at 11am on Monday-Wednesday mornings. Forks Library will shift its hours and will now consistently open at 10am Monday-Saturday, and will stay open one hour later on Fridays.

NOLS is upgrading the software used for its program and event calendar, and for meeting room reservations. The current software is being discontinued by the vendor. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this transition.

Reservations cannot be accepted May 10-14 during the upgrade. All reservations made prior to May 10 will be moved to the new system. If you have a meeting room reserved, you do not need to take any additional action.

The Library is eager for you to explore the new system on or after May 15, and staff can provide assistance as you learn the new features. If you need additional information at this time, please email ehelp@nols.org.

Beginning Monday, February 12, email and text notices from the Library will have an improved design and include more helpful information.

The Library uses email and text notices to alert you when your hold is ready for pickup, when an item automatically renews, and if an item is almost due or overdue. These messages will now include information about important dates, the author and title, and a pickup location when applicable. A cover image will also typically be displayed.

To improve energy efficiency, the North Olympic Library System (NOLS) upgraded interior and exterior lighting at the Port Angeles Main Library in early 2023.

After a two-year hiatus, Library meeting rooms in Forks, Clallam Bay, and Port Angeles are open for reservations again. Sequim’s meeting room remains unavailable at this time, due to space constraints.

Meeting rooms can be reserved 90 days in advance. All reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis and should be made at least one week in advanced but no later than 24 hours prior to the event. No walk-in reservations are allowed. Visit nols.org/room-reserve to learn more or to reserve a meeting room.

Library card holders can now digitally borrow thousands of popular magazines through the Library’s website or through the Libby app.

Beginning September 1, 2019, your library is fine free! The North Olympic Library System will no longer charge overdue fines for items returned late. This change helps ensure equitable and free access to library materials and services for everyone in our community.

NOLS is not alone in eliminating fines. Libraries across North America are going fine free to reduce access barriers. Earlier this year the American Library Association passed a resolution encouraging libraries to eliminate fines. You can read the NOLS Board of Trustees resolution about going fine free, and the reports that underlay that decision, here.