By Stacey Zwald Costello, Library Director
The Colusa County Free Library is excited to announce that for the ninth consecutive year, we have been awarded funding for the Zip Books program. This California State Library grant allows patrons to request books that are not currently in the library’s collection and have them shipped directly to their home, free of charge.
Zip Books is designed to fill gaps in library collections quickly and cost-effectively, especially for smaller or rural library systems. Instead of waiting for an interlibrary loan or going without, patrons can have the book delivered in just a few days through Amazon. Once the reader is finished, the item is returned to their local branch and becomes part of the library’s permanent collection, benefiting the entire community.
Here’s how Zip Books works:
- Check the catalog first – If the title you want isn’t available at any of the seven branches of the Colusa County Free Library, it may qualify for Zip Books. While items available through our partnership with larger library systems do not preclude Colusa County patrons from requesting the title for our collection, there are some restrictions on what we can order, including: price, format, and publication date. Amongst a few other restrictions, we are not allowed to order textbooks of any kind. Staff are happy to help you check the catalog.
- Place your request – Contact your branch in person or by phone, to submit a Zip Books request. Staff will verify that it meets program guidelines and you are a patron in good standing.
- Receive your book at home – If approved, the book is purchased and shipped directly to your mailing address, usually within a few days.
- Return it to the library – When you’re done, bring the book back to your branch so it can be added to the collection.
Funding for the Zip Books program is provided by the California State Library and administered locally by the Colusa County Free Library. The program has proven to be an invaluable resource. Over the past eight years, Zip Books has helped the Colusa County Free Library add hundreds of titles requested directly by patrons, strengthening the collection with materials that reflect the community’s diverse interests and needs, including 328 between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025!
With this new cycle of grant funding, the library looks forward to continuing to connect residents with books they truly want to read, delivered right to their doorstep.
For more information about Zip Books or to place a request, visit your local branch.