Zip Books is another way to request books not owned by Ontario City Library. The item is shipped directly to you using Amazon Prime. After it is returned, the library may add the item to its collection for others to check out.
Guidelines
Patrons must:
• be 18+ years old.
• have an Ontario City Library account in good standing, with fines under $10.
• have fewer than five Zip Books ordered this calendar month.
• have fewer than five Zip Books out at the time of ordering.
• have fewer than $100 worth of purchases this calendar month.
Acceptable Zip Books requests are:
• standard print books, large print books, or CD audiobooks
• less than $60 including tax and shipping on amazon.
• not currently in the Ontario City Library catalog.
• not textbooks, study guides, workbooks, journals, consumables, or used.
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. Note: Without an email, we will be unable to keep you informed of your request.
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.
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.
Ontario City Library is proud to offer interlibrary loan service. If there is specific material not available at either location, library staff can request the material from another library within the United States. If another library is found that allows interlibrary loan services of the material in question, it can be mailed to Ontario City Library for patron checkout. There is a $2.00 fee per borrowed material that will be due when the material is picked up. The patron placing the request for the interlibrary loan service is responsible for the $2.00 fee, regardless of whether it is picked up. 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.