COLUSA COUNTY FREE LIBRARY

CURBSIDE CHECKOUT

Beginning Wednesday, May 20^th, the Colusa County Free Library will offer curbside pickup of library materials placed on hold via the library’s online portal. The pilot program will be available at the main branch Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 am - 4:30 pm. Patrons can also return items during hours of operations; our book drops remain closed for the time being but all due dates have been extended through June 15.

How does curbside pick-up by appointment work?
Patrons will need to place a hold on library materials on the Colusa County Free Library website or by calling 458-7671. To use the online catalog:

1. Log in to your account using your library card account.
2. Search for your item in the Catalog.
3. Select “place a hold.” Please note that holds are only available for items in our collection, at this time, not from our partner libraries in Sacramento, Folsom, Woodland, or Sutter.

Once the hold has been placed:

• Patron will be notified by email or phone that their item on hold is available for pickup.
• Upon notification, patron will schedule a pickup time.
• At scheduled pickup time, patron will park curbside, and retrieve their items at the designated curbside pickup area at the branch. Items will be checked-out to patrons in advance and staged in a bag for convenience. Staff assistance will be provided to those who need help due to mobility limitations.
• Material picked up curbside will be checked out to patrons for 6 weeks. Overdue fines will not apply to these materials.

During the curbside service, we will be employing social distancing and public health recommendations for employees and patrons. This includes placing all returned items in quarantine for 72 hours, and providing checked out materials in a plastic bag for curbside pick-up to reduce contact.

We are working to expand curbside service to the branches as soon as possible and in a safe, coordinated effort.

Likewise, we are working to restore all library services and access soon as possible in a safe, coordinated and phased effort. We will continue to follow the County’s public health guidelines for operations, and all of our reopening plans will be vetted through the County Department of Public Health.

In the meantime, we are continuing to develop digital programming that is educational, engaging, and fun. Currently, the Literacy Coordinator and Youth Services Coordinator are registering participants in three summer reading programs. The programs, which begin in June, will include pre-recorded Storytime’s posted on our Facebook page along grab-and-go bags filled with corresponding activities and supplies. For children, ages 0-5, we are offering the Little Explorers Summer Reading Program. This program introduces STEAM concepts and sensory experiences for our youngest patrons. For primary school students, the Dig Deeper Summer Reading Program is chalk full of stories and activities that encourage kids to read, investigate and discover. And back for its fourth year, the Book to Movie club engages middle schoolers to compare and contrast books and their film adaptations. Call 458-0373 or 458-0379 to find out more or to register your child.

Library Buildings Remain Closed to the Public

The physical library buildings remain closed at this time.  We apologize for any inconvenience and will reopen as soon as we can safely do so.  To contact the Library please use the following information: (530) 458-7671 or colusalibrary@countyofcolusa.com.

During this time all book drops will also be closed. Any library items that have been checked out prior to the closure have had their due date extended to June 15, 2020; no late fees will be charged during this time. Please check your library account to obtain your new due date.  While the libraries will be closed to the public, we will continue to have the WiFi on, so that should you need to access the internet with your personal devices, you may do so from your car.

We encourage you to use our digital library resources, which will continue to be available at any time to all library patrons. On our eLibrary you will find links to several databases that offer eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital magazines, journals and access to the New York Times newspaper. If you don’t have a card yet, we will be accepting card applications over the phone, which will grant instant access to our digital resources.

For questions related to the County’s response to Covid-19, please visit: 

Colusa County Department of Public Health 
California Department of Public Health
State of California Guidelines

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

La biblioteca está cerrada al público

Los edificios de la biblioteca física permanecen cerrados en este momento. Nos disculpamos por cualquier inconveniente y volveremos a abrir tan pronto como podamos hacerlo de manera segura.   Para contactar la biblioteca, por favor use el siguiente informacíon: (530) 458-7671 o colusalibrary@countyofcolusa.com. 

Durante este tiempo, todos los buzones para devolver libros también serán cerrados. Hemos extendido la fecha de vencimiento de artículos prestados de la biblioteca para el 15 de Junio de 2020; durante este tiempo no se cobrará un cargo por mora.  Por favor revise su cuenta de biblioteca para obtener su nueva fecha de vencimiento.  Mientras que las bibliotecas estén cerradas al público, continuaremos a tener nuestro wifi aprendido por si necesitan acceder el internet, puedan accederlo con sus aparatos personales desde su automóvil.  

Les animamos a utilizar los recursos electrónicos de la biblioteca, que continuarán a ser disponibles para todos nuestros clientes.  En la biblioteca electrónica encontrará enlaces a bases de datos que ofrecen libros electrónicos, audiolibros, revistas electrónicas, revistas académicas y acceso al periódico The New York Times. Si no tiene una carta para la biblioteca, aceptaremos solicitudes para cartas por el teléfono, que les dará acceso instantáneo a nuestros recursos digitales. 

Para preguntas relacionadas a la respuesta del condado por el COVID-19, por favor visité el departamento de salud pública del condado de Colusa.

Le agradecemos su paciencia y comprensión durante este tiempo.

Census 2020 @ Your Local Library

The 2020 Census is happening now.  You can respond online, by phone, or by mail.  All seven of the Colusa County Free Library Branches have a Census Kiosk that is free to use, and takes only 5-10 minutes to complete.  You can also click here to complete the Census online through your phone, tablet, or computer.  Your response matters!  Health clinics.  Fire departments.  Schools.  Even roads and highways.  The census can shape many different aspects of your community.  Census results help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities each year.  The results determine how many seats in Congress each state gets.  It’s mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2:  The U.S. has counted its population every 10 years since 1790.
Census Timeline
March 12-20: Homes will receive official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond.
April 1: When you respond to the census, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.

New York Times

The California State Library is pleased to offer the New York Times online to California public libraries! This offer features direct access to nytimes.com from 1851 to right now, including:

• All regular newspaper content (articles, editorials, etc.)
• All multimedia, including video, photography, VR features and all new multimedia to come
• Spanish and Mandarin Chinese versions of nytimes.com
• Personalized access, including e-mail newsletters such as California Today, mobile apps* for phones and tablets, with customizable news feeds, and article recommendations based on topics you most commonly read about.

The State Library is supporting this resource for California public libraries for at least the next 18 months. You can sign up using the link above and a current email address. Registration is required, but is very simple. Enjoy!

Career Online High School

Colusa County Free Library’s Career Online High School (COHS) offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and career certificate online.

The Library’s pilot program provides a limited number of free enrollments to qualified adult learners who are looking to advance their careers, prepare for workforce entry or continue their education. Career Online High School through the Colusa County Free Library is open to all eligible County residents.

Applicants who successfully complete an online self-assessment and prerequisite course, followed by an in-person interview, will be considered for enrollment.

Once enrolled, COHS pairs each student with an online academic coach, who provides the student with an individual career path, offers ongoing guidance, evaluates performance and connects the student with the resources needed to master the courses. Students will be given up to 18 months to complete the program.

If you are interested in the program, please contact Literacy Coordinator, Alissa Maas at 530/458-0373 or County Librarian, Stacey Zwald Costello at 530/458-0372.

Branch Contact Information & Hours of Operation