Reading Resources

If you didn’t find the book you were looking for in our catalog, you can place a request to suggest we purchase the item and add it to our collection. You can place requests for physical copies of books, DVDs, and Blu-Rays right from the catalog.

Learn more in SBPL's guide to suggesting books and DVDs for purchase below.

What is the Zip Books program?

Zip Books is an innovative alternative to traditional interlibrary loan, funded by the California State Library. You may request a book or an audiobook that is not available from the Santa Barbara Public Library to be delivered to your home, free of charge.

Which titles are eligible?

Books and Audiobooks on CD are eligible if:

• The title was published at least 6 months ago.
• The title is not available in the requested format through SBPL.
• The item is available on Amazon in “New” condition from a US seller.
• The item costs $35 or less for books or $75 or less for accessibility formats (Large Print, Audiobook on CD, World Languages, dyslexic-friendly font, etc.).

Guidelines

• Requests may be made by SBPL cardholders in good standing, without fines or fees over $9.99.
• Each library cardholder may make 1 Zip Book request per month, while grant funding lasts.
• Each cardholder may receive 3 Zip Books total over the course of the grant period, which ends on 8/31/2026. Zip Books in accessibility formats do not count toward this total.
• Cardholders may have 1 Zip Book checked out at a time.
• Items should be returned promptly, like other library materials. Items can be returned in the following manner:
  • In person at Central, Eastside, Montecito, or the Library on the Go. Please identify the item as a Zip Book return by handing it directly to a staff member stating it is a Zip Book.
  • Via the book drops at Central, Eastside, or Montecito. Please identify the item as a Zip Book return by wrapping the item in paper or wrapping paper with "Zip Book" legibly labeled on the wrapping before placing it in the book drop. (Please do not use tape on the cover of the book, as it will damage the item.)

Process

• Requests can be made with library staff in-person, over the phone at (805) 962-7653, or via email.
• Zip Books will be checked out to you on your library account when they are ordered.
• Items take an average of 14 days to be delivered.
• Zip Books will be due 3 weeks from the estimated date of delivery to your address, and will automatically renew up to 3 times.
• Like other library items, a replacement fee for lost or damaged items will be charged to your account. Please follow the return instructions carefully to ensure that staff processes your returned Zip Books properly.

This program is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a service that allows patrons to obtain items not available from the Library or through the Zip Books program. We can request books, journal articles, and even microfilm for patrons (but no a/v items like DVDs, Blu-rays, or books on CDs) and we only request items from libraries in the United States. 

Locating and receiving a requested item usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. Although every effort will be made, no request can be guaranteed. Patrons will be notified if their request cannot be filled. 

There is a service fee of $20.00 per item requested. We always try to borrow from libraries who lend free of charge first. If a free lending library is not available, ILL staff will contact the patron about additional lending charges prior to borrowing the item.

ILL items must be picked up at and returned to any Santa Barbara Public Library location and should be returned to a Library staff member (not in the Book Drop). Patrons are notified when the requested material is ready for pick up, and the loan period and renewal option for an ILL item is determined by the lending library.

All ILL material is subject to a $2.00 per day overdue fee. Charges for lost, damaged or stolen ILL material are subject to the lending library’s costs, rules and regulations, and are the responsibility of the borrowing patron.

Looking for your next favorite book? Can’t decide which DVD to check out next? Need a big pile of great books to get your kids through the weekend? Book Match is for you. 

Fill out a short form and an SBPL Librarian will curate a selection of titles specifically for you based on your interests and what you’d like to read right now. 

Did you know that you can find themed lists created by SBPL librarians right in our catalog? Whether you’re looking for staff favorites, past Library Book Club selections, novels in verse for teens, or a selection of tractor books for your toddler, there’s a list for that.

NoveList Plus - For help looking for your next good read, questions for your book club discussion, award winners, author read-alikes, and more. NoveList has over 25 librarians on staff, plus other contributing librarians, creating its content. This database is provided by EBSCO (if you are not in a library location, you will need to also enter your library card number to access it).

BookConnections.org - A collection of literary resources for children and young adults, including book lists, author readings, book trailers, supplemental resources, and more.