Requesting Additional Books
Purchase Suggestion
To suggest an item for purchase for our collection please fill out the form below. The decision to add a suggested item to the Library’s collection is based on its availability, cost, and the Ontario City Library’s Materials Selection Policy. Five suggestions, per month, per person will be considered for purchase in the order they were received. Suggestions for digital materials can also be made in the cloudLibrary application. Before making your suggestion, please check our online library catalog to see if we already have your item.
InterLibrary Loan
Our interlibrary loan service can be used when you didn't find an item you wanted at our library. If another library is found that allows interlibrary loan services, it can be mailed to us and loaned to you through the check-out process.
There is a $2 fee per borrowed material that will be due when the material is picked up. The fee is charged to your account even if you do not pick up the item. Shipping times will vary depending upon material requested and lending library location. Requests can be made through the public library catalog or by visiting a reference desk.
Zip Books
Zip Books
Zip Books is another way to request books not owned by Ontario City Library. The item is shipped directly to you using Amazon Prime. This service is available to Ontario residents, adults 18+ with a valid Ontario City Library card. There is no charge for requests, and up to three requests can be in process at a time.
After it is returned, the library may add the item to its collection for others to check out. We expect to fulfill the majority of Zip Books requests, but approval will depend on available funds, the availability of the item on amazon.com, and our evaluation of the title as suited for addition to the library collections, per the library’s Material Selection Policy.
Guidelines:
Patrons must:
• be 18+ years old.
• reside in Ontario.
• have no more than three Zip Book requests at once.
• have an Ontario City Library account in good standing, with fines under $10.
Acceptable Zip Books requests are:
• in new condition
• must meet evaluation suited for addition to the library collection
• standard print books, large print books, or CD audiobooks
• less than $60 including tax and shipping on amazon
• currently not in the Ontario City Library catalog.
Loan Period
All Zip Books are on loan for a six-week period (42 days) starting on the day they are delivered. Zip Books cannot be renewed or re-requested at check-in. Patrons with books more than six weeks overdue will not be able to request additional books until the previous books are returned.
Submitting a Zip Books Request
Step 1: Fill out the Zip Books Request Form.
Step 2: Within 10 business days, library staff will email to let you know if your book has been purchased or let you know if it could not be ordered. Most orders arrive within three days of the notification email being sent.
Step 3: Keep the item for up to six weeks. When you are finished, return the item to a staff member at any Ontario City Library during open hours (please do not return to a book drop). If your Zip Books order does not arrive within two weeks of placing your request or is damaged during transit, please contact us via email at zipbooks@ontarioca.gov.
This project is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.