What is Zip Books?
Zip Books is a free service for customers to request books and audiobooks that are not in the Kings County Library's collection. The item is delivered to your home for a three-week checkout, free of charge, using Amazon Prime.
Start your Zip Books Request now/Iniciar solicitud de libro postal español
Online Zip Books Request will be processed Monday-Friday 10AM-2PM.
Change to the Zip Books program Due To COVID-19 Until Further Notice:
- During COVID-19 Stay in Place order, the Library will allow a Kings County Library customer to have 5 open Zip Book requests. Service will return to one item at a time after Kings County Library locations reopens for business.
- While libraries are closed, Zip Books customers are asked to keep Zip Book items at home until Kings County Library locations reopen.
Please do not return Zip Books until the Library is reopened. Once libraries have reopened, please bring Zip Books inside to the circulation desk and let the staff member know it was a Zip Book. Zip Books do not have specific due dates, but when the program is back to running according to its regular guidelines, you will not be able to request a new Zip Book until all your previous requests have been returned to the Library.
The Kings County Library has been selected by the California State Library to participate in a project called “Zip Books for Rural Libraries”, which provides a direct to you book delivery service. Over 68 library jurisdictions across the State of California are participating in the Zip Books project. The Zip Books project is funded through a statewide project of the NorthNet Library System, and is supported with California Library Services Act Funds.
Q: How does Zip Books work?
A: If you request a book or audiobook that the Kings County Library does not own, the Library will try to purchase the item and have it shipped directly to you rather than borrow the item from another library. When you are finished with your item, you simply return it with the accompnaying gift slip to your local library branch.
Q: What is eligible for Zip Books?
A: Books (regular or large print) that cost up to $50 (pre-tax) that the Kings County Library does not own are eligible for Zip Books. Audiobooks or foreign-language items that cost up to $75 (pre-tax) that the Kings County Library does not own are eligible for Zip Books. Books published within the past twelve months, Kindle ebooks, Audible audibooks, videos or DVDs are NOT eligible.
Q: Who can use Zip Books?
A: Registered borrowers in good standing of the Kings County Library are eligible.
Q: How do I use Zip Books?
A: Complete the online Zip Books request form (see below). After you complete the Zip Books request form, library staff will try to purchase the requested item through Amazon and have the item shipped directly to you. Library staff will notify you if we are unable to fill your request through Zip Books. If your Zip Book is approved, the order will be placed with Amazon and the item will be shipped to your house. Please note that Amazon is currently experiencing shipping delays. Once the book arrives at your home, you will have it for a three-week checkout.
Q: May I request more than one item through Zip Books?
A: You may request another item when you return the one that was shipped to you.
Q: What happens to the book/audiobook after it is returned?
A: The Zip Books Team will review the item and decide whether or not to add the item to the Library's collection or set it aside for future Friends of the Library book sales.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Please email askus@kingscountylibrary.org for more information.