Zip Books
Zip Books provides library users with speedy access to books and audiobooks that are not available at their local libraries.
The program is simple. A library user requests the item, the library orders it from Amazon, and it’s shipped directly to the library user’s home. When finished, the item is returned to the library and becomes part of the collection. Because the program is driven by what library users want, the collection better reflects the needs of the local community.
The State Library helps public libraries run the Zip Book program by providing grants to buy books and audiobooks for library users.
New in 2025/2026: eBooks & eAudiobooks can be requested!
- eBooks and eAudiobooks can be requested for purchase through the State Library's ebooks for all program
- The coordinatining agency, Califa, will purchase requested titles weekly
- eBooks and eAudiobooks requested here will appear in the Palace Project app. Note, we cannot purchase on other platforms (e.g. Overdrive).
- Request an eBook or eAudiobook using one of these links:
English requests: https://califa.org/zipbooks-eng
Spanish requests: https://califa.org/zipbooks-spa
- You will be notified when the title is available!
- Here is a quick Zip Books How-To for eBooks and eAudiobooks that you can download and print
- Have questions about the eBooks and eAudiobooks Zip Books service? Contact
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Our Focus
- Ensure everyone can access library materials, no matter where they live or how hard it is to travel to the library.
- Provide library users faster, easier access to books and audiobooks they want – without the long wait time of traditional interlibrary loan (ILL).
- Create library collections reflective of the local community.
- Reduce costs and staff workload, helping libraries make the most of their budgets and staff time.
The Value of Zip Books
Language barriers, limited transportation, and the demands of daily life can make it harder for some Californians to access library resources. To address these challenges and expand access to information, the California State Library partners with public libraries statewide to offer the Zip Books program.
Zip Books is an essential library service that brings Californians trusted information they need, delivered quickly and conveniently.
Zip Books supports libraries that need the funding the most. On average, the libraries we support have 24% less funding per person and 28% smaller budgets to purchase books, audiobooks and other collection materials.
The result: users get what they need when they need it, and the library’s collection better reflects the local community.
How is Zip Books Funded
Zip Books began in 2011 with three libraries as a pilot project to determine if using online stores to purchase materials that library users requested would lower the cost, delivery, and access challenges for California’s rural libraries. The program was a success. Zip Books reduced staff time to process requests by two-thirds, and delivery time to the library user was reduced to a few days, a significant improvement of several weeks for traditional interlibrary loan service.
In 2013, one-time federal Library Services and Technology Act funding allowed the State Library to expand the project to 30 rural libraries. The California Library Services Board invested $1 million in one-time funding in 2016-17 to expand the program statewide.
California Library Services Act funds have supported the Zip Books program since then. Starting in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, a $1 million ongoing appropriation was approved and continues each year.
How it Works
Zip Books works for everyone because of its simplicity and flexibility.
- A user requests the item from their local library.
- The library reviews the request and purchases it from Amazon.
- The item is shipped directly to the user’s home.
- When finished, the user returns it to the library.
- The library adds it to the collection for the community to enjoy.
Participating Libraries
- Alhambra Civic Center Library
- Alpine County Library/Archives
- Altadena Library District
- Amador County Library
- Banning Library District
- Beaumont Library District
- Belvedere-Tiburon Library
- Benicia Public Library
- Blanchard/Santa Paula Public Library District
- Brawley Public Library
- Buena Park Library District
- Butte County Library
- Calabasas City Library
- Calaveras County Library
- Camarena Memorial Public Library
- Camarillo Public Library
- Carpinteria Community Library
- Chula Vista Public Library
- City of Commerce Public Library
- Colusa County Free Library
- Corona Public Library
- Daly City Public Library
- Del Norte County Library District
- El Centro Public Library
- Folsom Public Library
- Goleta Valley Library
- Hayward Public Library
- Humboldt County Library
- Huntington Beach Public Library
- Imperial County Library
- Imperial Public Library
- Inyo County Free Library
- Kern County Library
- Lake County Library
- Larkspur Public Library
- Lassen Library District
- Lincoln Public Library
- Lompoc Public Library
- Long Beach Public Library
- Madera County Library
- Marin County Free Library
- Mariposa County Library
- Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria
- Mendocino County Library
- Merced County Library
- Mill Valley Public Library
- Modoc County Library
- Monterey County Free Libraries
- Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library
- Monterey Public Library
- Moorpark City Library
- Moreno Valley Public Library
- Murrieta Public Library
- Napa County Library
- Nevada County Library
- Ontario City Library
- Orange County Public Libraries
- Orland Free Library
- Palm Desert Library
- Palm Springs Public Library
- Palo Verde Valley Library District
- Paso Robles City Library
- Placentia Library District
- Plumas County Library
- Rancho Cucamonga Public Library
- Redwood City Public Library
- Riverside County Library System
- Riverside Public Library
- Sacramento Public Library
- Salinas Public Library
- San Anselmo Public Library
- San Bruno Public Library
- San Luis Obispo City-County Library
- San Rafael Public Library
- Santa Barbara Public Library
- Santa Fe Springs City Library
- Santa Maria Public Library
- Shafter Library
- Shasta Public Libraries
- Simi Valley Public Library
- Siskiyou County Free Library
- Stanislaus County Free Library
- Sutter County Library
- Tehama County Library
- Torrance Public Library
- Tulare County Free Library
- Tuolumne County Library
- Upland Public Library
- Ventura County Library
- Victorville City Library
- Whittier Public Library
- Willows Public Library
- Yolo County Library
Contact Us
zipbooks@library.ca.gov or for eBooks and eAudiobooks,
This program is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.