Welcome to the Tehama County Library! We have outlined a few helpful hints for those of you who are new to the library.
Library Cards for Adults
You will need to show a valid photo ID with your current mailing address. If your ID does not have your current address, you will need to show proof of the current address.
Some examples of what is acceptable are:
Valid Photo ID:
- Driver’s License (Must be valid)
- Any current State Issued Photo ID Card
- Military ID Card
- Passport (Must be valid)
- Mexican Consulate ID Card
Proof of Current Mailing Address
- Bills
- Checks
- Car Registration
- Mail with a current postal cancellation (not junk mail)
Note: We do not accept General Delivery.
Library Cards for Children
Children will need to have a co-signer if under 14 yrs. of age. The only acceptable co-signers are parents, grandparents or legal guardians (proof required). All co-signers must have the above required items.
Library Cards for Young Adults
Young adults ages 15-17 yrs. old do not need a co-signer if they have a current student body card from their local public high school. If they do not, then they must have a co-signer, as described in “Library Cards for Children” above.
- A 4-digit pin number will be given to you for online usage and self-checkout.
- Replacement cards are $1.00 (photo ID verification is required).
Accessing your account online is easy.
Click here or use the “My Account” button on the top left of every page.
Enter your library card number in the box titled “Patron/Alternate ID Number”. Your library card number is the barcode number located on the back of your library card. The first five numbers will be “20187”. Enter all digits without spaces. Enter the four digit PIN number assigned to your account in the box marked PIN. You can acquire a PIN number when you sign up for your library card, or you may request us to add it to your account any time (in person w/ID proof)
The next screen you see will be the Patron Information page. This is your account. You will see your name and other personal information on the left side of the page. Your Account Summary is on the right side. Your Account summary shows the number of loans, overdue items, holds, fees, etc.
You can renew books (unless there are holds pending or you owe overdue fines); make requests for library materials; view and/or cancel holds you have pending; and change your PIN number and address.
If you have a question regarding your account and cannot find the answer online, please come into the library or call (530) 527-0604. Library staff will be happy to help you.
- Computers are available at all branch libraries for public use.
- Patrons must have a valid library card in good standing or photo ID for computer usage.
- Sign-ups must be made in person at the front desk
- Each person is allowed up to 2 hours a day contingent on availability – no exceptions.
- Printing in black ink is available for 10¢ a page. Cash or check are the only accepted payments
- Library staff will provide minimal assistance ONLY to computer users.
- Patrons who require a cosigner must have signed consent for computer usage.
- Each person is allowed 2 hour per day — no exceptions. Users must promptly relinquish their computer terminal when asked to do so by staff.
- No more than two people shall sit at an Internet terminal at the same time.
- The terminal is in a public place. Patron must not display visual information that is objectionable to others.
- Patron can’t use the computers to violate any law.
- Patrons may not turn the computer off at any time. If patron’s computer freezes up, ask the staff for help.
- Patrons may not change any settings on the computer or save any files to the hard disk.
- Computer use for the day is done FIVE minutes before closing. Patrons must wrap up what they are working on and leave the computer station.
Failure to abide by these rules will result in the loss of Internet privileges for six months or longer.
- You can fill out a Request Card at any Tehama County Library branch.
- You can request items by telephone (530) 527-0604 x105
- You can search the online catalog and place a hold. You must already have a library card and pin number before you can place the hold. When you locate a title you want, press the “Place Hold” button in front of it. You will be redirected to your Library Account page and asked to sign in. You will then be asked for the branch library you want your choice to be sent to, then press “Submit Request”. You will be notified when the item is ready to be picked up.
Zipbooks
The Tehama County Library has been selected by the California State Library to participate in a project called “Zip Books for Rural Libraries”. Only a few libraries throughout the State of California are participating in this project which explores an alternative to traditional InterLibrary Loan (ILL).Using a “buy vs. borrow” procurement model, the Zip Books project is funded through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to the California State Library.
How does Zip Books work?
If you request a book or audiobook that the Tehama County Library does not own, the Library will try to purchase the item and have it shipped directly to you rather than borrow the item from another library. When you are finished with your item, you simply return it to your local library branch.
What is eligible for Zip Books?
Books (regular or large print) or audiobooks that cost up to $35 (pre-tax) that the Tehama County Library does not own are eligible for Zip Books. Videos or DVDs are NOT eligible.
Who can use Zip Books?
Registered borrowers in good standing of the Tehama County Library are eligible.
How do I use Zip Books?
Ask for a Zip Books request form. Library staff will help you complete the form. You will be given a simple Zip Books survey form, along with an informational handout. Library staff will try to purchase the requested item through Amazon and have the item shipped directly to you using Amazon Prime free 2-day shipping. Library staff will notify you if we are unable to fill your request through Zip Books.
When you are finished with your item, simply return it to your local library branch, along with the completed survey. This provides required grant feedback and identifies the item as a Zip Book. Although you will not be given a due date for the item, we ask that you return the book/audiobook within 3 weeks.
May I request more than one item through Zip Books?
You may request another item when you return the one that was shipped to you.
What happens to the book/audiobook after it is returned?
The Librarian will review the item and decide whether or not to add the item to the Library’s collection.
What if I have more questions?
Please call Sally Conry, Library Manager, at 530-529-2483 x 107 for more information.
Why did the library go fine-free?
COVID-19
The pandemic has changed many things for the library. Part of our limited reopening strategy included not charging late fees. This was to promote social distancing and self-service models. As the uncertain nature of COVID-19 continues, we need to officially be fine- free.
It is equitable.
Tehama County is better when everyone has access to our programs, services, and materials in order to pursue their dreams.
Effectiveness
Late fines are only effective at encouraging people to stop using the library…not to return materials on time. Studies have shown that fines have no impact on return rates. According to “Removing Barriers to Access,” a Colorado State Library whitepaper: “The scant research on the impact of library fines and fees does not indicate a clear benefit to administering these policies and may be costly to enforce.“ What we do know is this: of our 15,000 patrons, 5,000 have accounts that are blocked and have not used the library in over a year.
Fiscal Responsibility
It isn’t financially responsible. Last year, the library collected $6,000 from overdue fines. This represents less than 1.9% of the Library’s overall annual operating budget. We estimate that going fine-free would result in a reduction of staff time to collect and process overdue fines; it will also encourage the return of library materials, so many items will not have to be repurchased. Once implemented at the Tehama County Library, a fine-free program is estimated to save $7,280 annually.
Health and Safety
It promotes the health and safety of patrons and staff. Having late fees requires considerable contact between our patrons and staff. It can create lines at service counters. Without late fees, we have been able to exclusively use our self-service kiosk at the Red Bluff library. The reality of COVID 19 is that we need to have as simple of a transaction model as possible. Removing late fees promotes this value.
What does this mean for our patrons?
You might be wondering if there will be an added cost to taxpayers? Absolutely not! We plan on adjusting our printing charges to cover any losses and if need be, adjusting other areas of our budget. Our plan is that going fine-free will get more people using the library without any net cost.
You will no longer receive a daily late fine on overdue items.
You are still responsible for returning your items. We do want all items back! The library will still send you a series of reminders to return your items. If you damage a book or do not return it you will still need to pay for it.
Going fine-free is a big change for the library community.
Our hope is that removing this barrier will encourage usage and help our community recover from the challenges of COVID-19. Most importantly we want to remove the shame that being late with a library book can cause.
The Tehama County Board of Supervisors has recently approved an update to our previous borrowing policy.
The Tehama County Library will use the addition of a new automatic renewal process. Now if an item (e.g. book, DVD, audiobook) is due and nobody has placed any holds on it, the item will be automatically renewed (up to 1 time).
Keep in mind that this is only a 1-time automatic renewal on the original due date the items were checked out. There will not be a 2nd or 3rd automatic renewal. Items will need to be returned to the Tehama County Library on the new due date after the 1st renewal.
Our Borrowing Policy: https://tehamacountylibrary.org/about/borrowing-policy/