Welcome to the California Area Public Library, the right stop for your information and entertainment needs. Climb aboard the Information Station for California, Allenport, Coal Center, Long Branch, Elco, Roscoe, and West Pike Run Township. Explore the five literacies with us: Basic, Information, Civic & Social, Health, and Financial.
"Moving Forward: Keeping on Track"
We are looking for a paid Program Specialist (10 hours per week) to plan and present programs, particularly Preschool Storytime.
Are you vaccinated? No need to Mask Up when you visit, but please sanitize your hands. Not vaccinated? You must continue to Mask UP during your visit -- that means mask over your nose. Thank you. Our front door is not locked but it is a bit sticky in humid weather.
USED BOOK SALE is in progress now. We will have another book sale during Riverfest in August. We are not accepting donations of used books at this time.
AUTOMATIC RENEWALS have come to our libraries. You will receive an email two days before your original due date, explaining that your book has been renewed for two weeks. Two weeks later, the process repeats. While you may have six weeks of check-out time, we appreciate patrons who return their books in a more timely fashion so that others may also enjoy them. And, if you don't return your books after the six weeks, they will be considered lost and you will be charged.
We can copy a page (20 cents) or send a fax ($1 a page), scan and send ($1) a page, or you can send to print via wifi (20 cents a page). Double-sided is 30 cents. Cash only.
If you prefer Curbside Service, we can do that. You may call and ask us to look up a book or movie for you. Or you can search our catalog yourself. Here's how it works: Browse
SUMMER QUEST's 2024 theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library. Check out our FB page or stop by the library to inquire about activites and leave your contact information. July brings a 14-library EXTRAVAGNZA to Mingo Creek park. We'll be posting details soon.
Our Facebook page contains the most recent updates and many links to information and activities. Visit our links page to find the quickest path to many digital sources. Our homepage displays links to the catalog as well as to audiobooks and eBooks. Explore our many digital resources.
September brings the annual DAY OF GIVING sponsored by Washington County Community Foundation. We send Thank You cards after we recieve the list of donors. Of course, any day is a great day to support your local library.
VOTE! Mail-in ballots are new -- any registered voter can apply. Stay safe from COVID-19, vote by mail.
Need to print tax forms? Click here:
Annual Giving: NOW is the time. ANY TIME is perfect. When you donate $20 or more, we will present you with a blue string backpack bearing our logo and acknowledging that you "Climbed Aboard." Libraries offer free access to all those in good standing, but libraries are costly endeavors. The state expects us to raise $5 each for the 8,911 people living in the communities we serve; that's significantly more than our annual budget. State and county support increases when our community shows that it cares about California Public library by laying down some dollars. While donations of books and other items are always appreciated, when it comes time to file the state report upon which our funding rests, the important factor is how much cash our citizens, school district and municipalities donated to the library.
MEMORIAL GIFTS and HONORARIUMS: An enduring tribute made in the form of a book, a technology upgrade or a grounds beautification/comfort improvement, your gift will be marked and will be announced to the appropriate honorees. Many people donate $25 or more when presenting a gift for a book. Gifts are announced on our Donations page, where you'll find a downloadable gift form.
We are truly grateful each time you make a cash donation or memorial book gift but, we also want to remind you that cash donations from residents, busineses and community government are what the state and county officers are looking for when they decide how generously they will fund California Library in 2023. (Special shout-out to California and Roscoe Boroughs.) Your cash donations pay staff and utilities, fund upkeep and, of course, help us to expand our book collection, offer free access to computers, provide adult and children's programming, and generally keep the library Moving Forward! Please consider donating before December 31. We send a hearty "Thank you!" to our loyal patrons.
ONE TAP READING. THAT'S LIBBY. . . . Libby is OverDrive's free one-tap app for borrowing digital books and audiobooks. It works with Android, IOS (iPhone/iPad/IPod touch) and Windows 10 devices. Visit your app store, search "Libby", install the app. Open it and find your library (search by library name, zip code, or city). Browse your libray's collection. Simple! You'll need to sign in using your library card when you are ready to borrow an item. Borrowed items download automatically and are stored on your Shelf so you can read when you're offline. (We're happy to help you figure it out.)
Visit our LINKS page to explore ACCESS PENNSYLVANIA POWER Library digital resources for every age. It's where you'll find an up-to-date reference collection and so much more.
New! POWER Teens is available from a feature box on the POWER Library homepage or directly from:
If you have overdue library materials, we've probably called you several times. Please return them soon. Our drop box is always open. No fines on overdue material but we do charge for damaged or lost items. A helpful tip: if you are moving, do not pack your library books in boxes! Just drop them in our drop box ASAP.
Have you used your library card lately? Remember, Waggin Network library cards must be used at least once every three years or they expire. We no longer charge overdue fines. We do charge for lost or damaged material. Books automatically renew twice.
Visit our Links page for helpful information about coping with or recovering from SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE: PCAR Sexual Violence Legal Assistance Project provides short-term help for victims of non-intimate partner sexual assault where services are not available. For legal assistance call the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) at 717-901-6784.
VOTER'S GUIDE
Tools to help you Register to Vote: Here are some links to help you:
PA Forward Star: Pennsylvania Libraries is coming to our library! You are an essential player in our quest to earn Bronze Star status. The program helps each of us to Build a Better World for Pennsylvanians. Keep your eyes open for details during your next visit.
OPPORTUNITIES:
<RENT AN LCD PROJECTOR KIT from us and add a special focus to your next family event, business or club meeting. Our kit includes the projector, a screen and, if you need it, a laptop computer. You provide the photos or PowerPoint show. $20. We suggest you allow time for our staff to walk you through the process of setting up, if you're not familiar with using audio visual equipment.
INVESTING FOR OUR FUTURES: Many of our donors have been contributing to the Library for decades. They know that a public library is a community treasure. Please visit, volunteer, and donate this year. YOU are vital to our mission to provide everyone with access to information in a happy space where we all thrive. Our fundraising goal for 2018 is $30,000. We bet you did not know that we habitually fall short by $23,000 below what the state expects us to raise. Please remember this the next time you think to yourself, "They're always asking for money, and yet they never close." We haven't had any support from our school district since 2011, and fewer than half of the communities in our service area make annual contributions. Everyone is feeling short of funds, we understand. But if everyone gave something (and those who can gave a bit more), we might be able to meet the state's expectations. We are especially grateful to those donors who have moved from the area but continue to give, or who don't often use the library but habitually give. We thank each and every donor, local or not.
Our boutique features these items: American Tradition woven baskets, tote bags, cloisonne pins, stationary, and historic maps of California. By the way, we always have used books on display for purchase: $1 a book or $5 for a plastic grocery bag full.GOT PAPER SCRAP? The paper recycling bin is back (but is no longer sponsored by the library). Please be considerate and keep the area neat; if the bin is full, take your papers back home. Plastic bags go home with you, also: not into or around the bin. Read the restrictions clearly painted on the bin. Cardboard does not recycle here! Many Californians appreciate the convenience of the Royal Oaks Paper Recycler bin. Don't be the person who creates a "this is why we can't have nice things" situation. (Please note: This is not the place to get rid of any cardboard!)