The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries have received $15,840 in Zip Books Grant funds from the California State Library for the 2025-26 cycle.
The program has expanded access to library materials for more than a decade, allowing patrons access to titles that would not typically be available in their local public libraries.
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19, library cardholders of the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang libraries, along with the Bookvan, are eligible to request books that are not available from the Black Gold Cooperative Library System in physical formats (Regular Print, Large Print, and Audiobooks on CD).
Library staff will accept requests for books under $50 and Audiobooks on CD under $75, which will be mailed directly to patrons from Amazon. Patrons must return the items to library staff within 90 days to avoid incurring any charges.
Library users are eligible to request up to two titles per month and can receive a maximum of six titles per grant period, or until the funds run out.
Patrons can request their Zip Books by contacting library staff at any of the four locations, in-person or by phone (see list below), rather than completing a form online. Staff will ensure the materials meet program requirements before submitting a request.
“We are thrilled to once again provide this avenue to accessibility thanks to the Zip Books Program and the California State Library,” said City Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo. “This grant program helps us meet our library patrons where they are, connecting them directly with invaluable information and resources.”
Library locations:
Goleta Valley Library Express: 6500 Hollister Ave., Ste. 105, Goleta; phone 805-964-7878
Bookvan: Check calendar for rotating stops (in-person only)
Buellton Library: 202 Dairyland Road Buellton; phone 805-688-3115
Solvang Library: 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang; phone 805-688-4214
The Zip Books Project is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
New this year for digital library users, the California State Library is also offering Zip Books requests to add eBooks and eAudiobooks to the Palace Project free library app. Unlike the Zip Books program offered through Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, library users can place their requests directly through the statewide Zip Books Palace Project Form for eBooks & eAudiobooks, administered by California State Library staff.