Zip Books - Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zip books?
Books (print only) delivered to you free and directly from Amazon, which you return to your local library when you are done.
Wow, sounds cool. Who sponsors this?
This is a grant program funded by the California State Library. This program concludes on June 30, 2026 or when we run out of grant funds, whichever happens first. If further funds are received in the future, we will then reopen the program for requests.
What’s the catch?
None! But this service is for books the library does not own, and there are some parameters:
- You must have a library card in good standing with OC Public Libraries
- You are limited to ordering 2 books a month and 2 checked out at one time
Items that can be requested:
- Items published more than 12 months ago
- Items that conform to OC Public Libraries Collection Development policy
- Items shipped by Amazon
- Items sold by Amazon or a USA based third-party seller (No overseas sellers)
- New Print books must be valued under $50, new World Language books can be valued up to $75
- Items not already owned by OC Public Libraries or titles where all copies are lost
- Alternate formats (such as Large Print or in another language) are okay to order
Items that do not qualify for the Zip Books program are as follows:
- Used Items
- Non-Fiction titles more than 5 years old.
- Media items such as Audiobooks, DVDs, or CDs
- Textbooks, study guides, workbooks, or fillable books.
- Novelty books (sticker, color, spiral-bound, pop-up books, etc.)
- Items only available from non-US vendors
- Items published less than 365 days
If you have books you’d like us to buy beyond the books you’ve ordered, please use our “Request a Purchase” form.
If the book you want doesn’t qualify (maybe it’s out of print), please use our InterLibrary Loan (ILL) service.
How do I order Zip Books?
Just fill out the form! (But you might want to check our catalog and Amazon to see if a book is currently available from us and meets the criteria above).
If your request is approved, the item will be shipped directly to you at no cost via Amazon and staff will notify you of the expected delivery date and your due date.
What do I do after my Zip Book is delivered?
- Enjoy your book
- After three weeks, return the book to your library branch and hand it to staff or place in the bookdrop so it can be checked in and removed from your account. Place the book in the original packaging with the Amazon receipt in the book so we know it was a Zip Book (very important!)
- Note: Zip Books are not renewable.
- If you throw away the amazon packaging, do not worry. Just let staff know that it is a Zip Book when you return it so it can be removed from your account.
- IMPORTANT!! Items not returned, returned damaged, or returned items which can’t be identified as a Zip Book by staff, will be billed to your account.
What happens to the book after I return it?
Many, but not all, Zip Books are added to OC Public Libraries circulating collection, if the book meets our Collection Development Criteria.
What happens if the Zip Book item is lost or return damaged?
Failure to return a Zip Book or returning a Zip Book damaged will result in a fee, covering the cost of the item, being billed to your library account.
What if I have more questions?
Please email ocpl.booksbymail@occr.ocgov.com for more information.
To make an eBook or eAudiobook request to the Palace Project: eBooks for All please see here:
English: https://califa.org/zipbooks-eng
Spanish: https://califa.org/zipbooks-spa
This project was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
