For the past seven years, the Colusa County Free Library has been proud to participate in the Zip Books program, a unique service that connected readers with the books they wanted most. Thanks to funding from the California State Library, patrons could request eligible titles not already in our collection. The books were shipped directly to their homes, and after being enjoyed, they were returned to the library to become part of our permanent collection.
More than just a convenient way to access books, Zip Books helped shape our collection in a meaningful way. Rather than librarians guessing what our community wanted to read, our patrons told us directly through their requests. Over time, those individual selections created a collection that better reflected the interests, hobbies, and reading tastes of Colusa County. Many books that now sit on our shelves first arrived through Zip Books, creating a legacy that will continue to serve readers for years to come.
Unfortunately, the California State Library’s Zip Books program has come to an end after state budget funding was reallocated to other priorities. While we understand that difficult budget decisions sometimes must be made, we know many of our patrons will miss this well-loved service. It became one of the most popular ways for readers in rural communities to request books that were not immediately available while also strengthening their local library’s collection.
The story may not be over, however. Library leaders throughout California are actively exploring ways to restore the program or develop a similar service through alternative funding. We remain hopeful that Zip Books, or something inspired by it, may return in the near future.
Here in Colusa County, we are also exploring what might be possible locally. While no decisions have been made, we remain committed to finding creative ways to preserve the spirit of the program by giving patrons a voice in helping shape the library’s collection.
We are deeply grateful to the California State Library for seven wonderful years of Zip Books and to every patron who participated. Your requests helped create a stronger, more responsive collection that reflects the people we serve. While we say goodbye to this chapter, we look forward with optimism and will continue working to connect our community with the books they want to read.