SBPL’s Guide to Requesting a Zip Book

You may request any book that we don’t have in our catalog as long as:

• It’s more than six months old (exceptions can be made if you’ve already suggested we purchase the book and we were unable to do so).
• It’s available on Amazon for less than $35 (books in English) or $75 (books in languages other than English, large print titles, or audiobooks on CD).
• The title is not available in the requested format or language in our catalog (for example, an audiobook on CD is eligible even if we own a copy of the book in print).
   

These guidelines may change throughout each year based on the amount of funding we receive, and how popular the program is. Our goal is always to spend all the grant funds awarded to us, but to be sure we have enough money to run the program for our entire fiscal year (July - June). Generally:

• You may make 1 request per month and up to 3 requests per year.
• You may only have 5 Zip Books in your possession at any given time, so please remember to return them to a Library location when you’ve finished reading them (see more info below).
• Exceptions can be made for items in languages other than English, audiobooks on CD, and large print books - you may request as many of these titles as you wish, though you still may only have 5 titles in your possession at the same time.
   

You can request a Zip Book by talking to any Library staff member, either over the phone or in-person at one of our locations.

• A staff member confirms your request can be fulfilled. 
• Books are purchased on Amazon and sent to the address you provide.
• Zip Book orders are generally made twice a month, and shipping times may vary. Please wait at least 2 weeks before inquiring about the status of your request.
• Please treat Zip Books like you would any library book. Books in good condition may be added to the Library’s collection when they are returned.

Zip Books can be returned to any SBPL location. It’s important to make sure we know it’s a Zip Book return by:

• Handing your item to a Library staff member and letting them know it’s a Zip Book return. (Please do not put it through the book return machine inside the Central Library).
• Wrapping the book in paper or a Ziplock bag and clearly marking your name and the words “Zip Book Return” on the wrapping. Books marked in this way may be returned to our book drops.