There are three things everyone knows about Washington: it’s the home of Starbucks, Microsoft, and lots of rain. Between 1960 and 1990 the average annual precipitation ranged from 60 to 180 inches along the western coast of Washington, so it’s no surprise that we associate the region with rain. The best thing to do on rainy days is to cozy up in an armchair with your favorite book or, for the more high-tech, with the eBook or eAudioBook apps on your smartphone or tablet.

The Washington State Library’s Library Now App is here to help! Even when it’s pouring down outside, you can still access free books from your local library.

A majority of Washington State Libraries offer access to the Washington Anytime Library, a statewide collection of OverDrive holdings, through their Library Now App. Individual libraries may also offer other eBook or eAudioBook providers such as OneClickdigital.

Here is a look at some of the libraries in the rainiest cities in the state.

Bellingham Public Library
The City of Bellingham averages 35.83 inches of precipitation a year. To see the Bellingham Public Library’s section of WA Library Now App, simply begin searching for Bellingham from the main menu. The Bellingham Public Library allows their patrons to browse their BiblioCommons catalog using keywords or by a “quick search”, or Smart Prefix™ search. The Smart Prefix search allows users to type the first few letters of the item they are looking for to begin seeing results. For instance, Whovians can search for “do wh” to see their library’s Doctor Who collection. Patrons are able to easily access Bellingham’s Facebook page, as well as their events listings.

Some popular titles from Bellingham’s ebook collection: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian, Coming Home for Christmas by Fern Michaels, and Calico Joe by John Grisham.

Seattle Public Library
Seattle averages 37.41 inches of precipitation a year. The Seattle Public Library has it’s own Boopsie app that you can launch from the Washington Library Now App. Just Search for Seattle in the main menu of the Library Now App to have the option to download the Seattle Public Library App right from the app. If you have the app already installed, you can browse Seattle Public Library’s SirsiDynix Horizon catalog or use their BookLook Mobile to use your phone as a barcode scanner. Simply scan a book’s barcode with your phone’s camera feature (like you would for a QR code) and the app will perform an ISBN search. If the item is available at the library, you can place a hold on it at that time. Don’t forget to view Seattle’s historic photo collections through their CONTENTdm collection.

Some popular titles from Seattle’s ebook collection: Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich, The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel and The Night is Forever by Heather Graham.

Kelso Public Library
The city of Kelso receives an average of 48.02 inches of precipitation a year. Thanks to the Library Now App, Kelso Public Library offers Smart Prefix search of their SirsiDynix Horizon catalog. Patrons can download free eBooks and eAudioBooks from either Kelso’s OneClickdigital holdings or from Washington Anytime Library’s OverDrive holdings. Stay up to date with upcoming events and programs with Kelso Public Library’s Events feed and a link to their Facebook page under the Social Media tab. You can easily get directions to the Kelso Public Library or quickly figure out their phone number or fax number, right from your app.

Some popular titles from Kelso’s ebook collection: Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham, Mind Over Matter by Nora Roberts and 12th of Never by James Patterson.

Amanda Park Branch of the Timberland Regional Library
Located in Amanda Park, Washington, the Amanda Park Branch of the Timberland Regional Library receives an annual average rainfall of 115.62 inches (also includes liquid water equivalent of snowfall). You can learn more about the Timberland Regional Library’s app by reading my blog post on the Largest Libraries in the Library Now App.

Some popular titles from Timberland’s ebook collection: Three Sisters by Susan Mallery, The Wild Trees by Richard Preston and Wonder by RJ Palacio.