Zip Books Program
About the Program
The Zip Books program provides library users with speedy access to books that are not available at their local libraries. A patron simply requests the item, the library purchases it from Amazon, and the book is shipped directly to the patron’s home. When finished, the patron returns it to the library and the library adds it to the collection.
This program was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
2024–2025 Application Information for Libraries
Please note: awards will not be made until after the passage of the 2024-2025 budget for the state of California.
To Apply
Please be sure to read the Zip Books Guidelines thoroughly. Use the link included below to access the online 2024-2025 Zip Books application form and submit an application. A separate budget form and certification and signature form must be completed and submitted with the online application.
- Online Application to apply
- 2024-25 Budget Form (Excel) to upload with your application
- 2024-25 Certification and Signature Page (Word) to upload with your application
Resources
- Application Questions (Word) (for reference only)
- Zip Books Program Guidelines (Word)
Timeline
- Application Opens: Wednesday, May 9, 2024
- Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 12:00pm, noon PST
- Application Review Period: June–July, 2024
- Award Notification: July–August 2024
- Grant Program Period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Eligibility and Funding Priority
- All California public libraries are eligible to apply.
- If the total amount of requests from eligible libraries exceeds available funding, final awards will be determined using the following information: amount requested by the applicant, previous Zip Books expenditures, and Library Income Per Capita (LIPC) levels. For a full list of LIPC levels, please see the California Public Library Statistics page.
Grant Amount
Libraries can apply for up to $35,000 for books in tangible formats.
The Zip Books program does not have a match requirement, though it is expected that libraries provide staff time to run the program.
Reporting Requirements
Participating libraries will be required to submit three sets of reports to the California State Library. Reporting forms will be provided to grantees. Reporting periods and due dates are as follows:
| Reporting Deadline | Reporting Period |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2025 | July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 |
| April 30, 2025 (financial report only) | January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025 |
| July 31, 2025 (final reports) | April 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025 and full project period |
Participant Library Expectations
Participating libraries are expected to:
- Support the program goals and adhere to the program’s policies, procedures, and guidelines as established by the California State Library.
- Provide statistics in the narrative reports and upon request by the State Library.
- Complete and submit any requested documents to the California State Library.
- Regularly monitor project spending to fully expend grant funds. Libraries should only request funds that they will be able to expend fully before June 30, 2025.
- Maintain records and documents according to the library’s own auditing requirements (receipts do not needed to be submitted but should be available for review if needed).
Additional Resources
For more information about the statewide Zip Books program, visit the main Zip Books page, and for 2023-24 reporting forms, visit the Manage Your Current Grant page.
Questions? Contact us.