Library

A five member Library Board of Trustees, appointed by the City Council, makes recommendations to the City Council regarding the operation of the Library system.

Through membership in the Inland Library System, the resources of 18 local libraries as well as other networks are available to registered borrowers in person and through inter-library loan. 

Trustees:

Nancy Bumstead - President
Elizabeth Ann Palicki - Vice President
Rachel Carmona - Secretary
Irene Chisholm - Member
George A. Newberry - Member
Shawn Thrasher - Library Director

Adult Services and Reference Desk

Adult Services offers a variety of life skills classes covering various topics. Classes may reflect educational needs as well as stimulating personal growth topics. In addition to regularly scheduled classes and workshops, our collection for adults consists of books, DVDs, audio books and interactive computer based tutorials.

Email a Librarian

The Reference Desk staff are here to assist you in locating any information you might need.  If you have a question, you can email a question to our librarians.

Inter-Library Loan

Looking for a specific book that we don't have? You can request it through interlibrary loan and we will try to borrow it from another library within the United States. The fee for interlibrary loan is $2.00 per item, charged to your library account when the item arrives in the mail. Items are held for 7 days. Items not picked up within 7 days are returned to the lending library. The $2.00 fee per item requested applies whether or not items are picked up by the requestor, or if an interlibrary loan request is cancelled while an item is en route. Delivery time for requested items may vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the location and procedures of the lending library, and the U.S. Postal Service. Requests can be placed through the library's catalog. Ask at the reference desk for details.  

Meeting Rooms

Meeting rooms are primarily designed for Library and City programs. When not in use by the Library or the City of Ontario, meeting rooms can be used for a rental fee by community groups. View the meeting room policy below. Need an application? Download the application below. Please drop off the completed form at the Library Administration office located at the Ovitt Family Community Library.

Teachers & Schools

Assignment Alerts - Help us assist your students by letting us know in advance about major assignments. Use our Assignment Alert sheet. We can make materials available to a greater number of students by setting shorter loan periods or by creating an in-library use only section of materials related to your topic. Copies of the Assignment Alert sheet are available at the Ovitt and Lewis Family Branch at both the Youth and Adult Reference desks.

Class Visits - We encourage teachers to bring their classes to the Library. We can provide many services tailored to your needs. In order to accommodate your class, please plan to schedule visits at least two weeks in advance.

What We Can Do For Your Class:

• Library tours
• Computer training
• Discuss library resources for your particular assignment
• Reference materials instruction
• Booktalks to introduce interesting books to students
• Introduce your class to books on a subject being studied

Teen Services

Ontario City Library Young Adult Services provides teens a happy place to grow and socialize while fostering a love of reading and learning.

• We believe teens should have their own library space to read, learn and interact.
• We provide a forum for social networking and encourage a unique community of dedicated teen library users.
• We provide professional services and programs to assist teens in achieving their recreational, educational and career-oriented goals.
• We respect the needs and expectations of teens and value their opinions.

Teen Board/Volunteens 

Community Service opportunities are available in two ways: as a member on the Teen Board or as a Volunteen. For more information contact the Teen Alley at 909.395.2228 or at Lewis Family Branch Library at 909.395.2272.

Homework Help

Ovitt Family Community Library

Homework Help is provided at the Ovitt Family Community Library. They will provide homework help to teens ages 13-18. We do ask that students requesting homework helpers bring their materials to their sessions. Homework Help schedules and times change. To schedule an appointment, please call 909.395.2243 prior to your first session.

Youth Services

At both Lewis Family Branch and Ovitt Family Community Libraries, Youth Services provides a wide range of programs and services for children and young adults. Storytimes for toddlers, preschoolers, and grade school children are held on a regular basis throughout the year, with special storytelling events for the entire family available periodically. Summer and other special reading programs provide reading incentives for children and young adults. Other special programs are offered on a monthly basis. Our large collection contains both fiction and nonfiction for children through the eighth grade, while our Parent's Shelf provides material for adults on various aspects of child development and parenting.

At both the Ovitt Family Community Library and the Lewis Family Branch, children can access the internet, perform research and type school assignments.

Homework Help

Homework Help is provided at the Ovitt Family Community Library by Cal Poly work study students. They provide homework help to school aged children, ages 5 – 12. Homework help is by appointment only. Appointments can be made up to one week in advance. We ask that students bring their homework materials to their Homework Help appointment. Homework Help schedules and times change quarterly. To schedule an appointment, please call 909.395.2207 during library hours.  

ZIP Books

Adults 18 or older can use ZIP Books, a new service available at the Ontario City Library. Simply fill out a request form at any desk, and the title will be shipped directly to your home address. This service is free thanks to a grant from the California State Library, but customers are required to have a current Ontario City Library Card. Restrictions do apply. For additional information, contact the Ovitt Family Community Library Adult Reference Desk 909.395.2205, or the Lewis Family Branch Reference Desk 909.395.2256.