Item Number: 16
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: October 21, 2025
Submitted By:
Donna Meester, Community Services Director
Subject:
California State Library Grant Fund Acceptance for Zip Book Project Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council adopt Resolution No. 25-074 and No. 25-075, thereby:
(1) Accepting grant funds from the California State Library, providing the City with $10,317 to aid in the expansion of the Zip Books Project;
(2) Authorizing the City Manager, or his designee to finalize all documents needed to execute the grant contract; and
(3) Amending the annual budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 to reflect an additional appropriation in the amount of $10,317.
Fiscal Impact:
The recommended action will result in an increase of $10,317 in revenue and expenses in the following accounts for fiscal year 2025-2026:
Grants Revenue Library Supplies
1006030-43110 1006030-52110
Strategic Plan Goal:
This item aligns with Strategic Goal F: Communication and Outreach to explore opportunities to add or modify community events and activities. By utilizing this grant funding to provide library patrons with a user-driven program to grow the library’s collection through Zip Books, we can better capture the needs of our community.
Background:
The California State Library Zip Book Project is an alternative model for interlibrary loan service that bridges the gap between a library’s regular collection development practice and a home delivery service. The purpose of the Zip Book Project is to provide patrons with speedy access to materials they might not otherwise be able to get through the library 3 8
2 5
without long wait times often associated with requests. Under the Zip Book Project, patrons request books that the library does not currently own. The library orders the book from Amazon, and it is shipped directly to the patron’s home. Upon finishing the book, the patron returns the book to the library, and it is then added to the library’s collection and placed in general circulation.
The Zip Book Project began as a pilot project in 2011 and has since become extremely popular with libraries and library users. Since its inception, the number of participating libraries has increased to include 99 library jurisdictions, including the Victorville City Library.
Discussion:
While the City’s grant application was approved with an award of $10,317 to be used in the implementation of the Zip Book Project; formal acceptance of the grant and associated appropriations to the 2025-2026 budget is necessary. The library began as a recipient in Fiscal year 2019/2020. Last funding cycle the library received $12,198 in funds that serviced 158 patrons and 775 books cataloged to the library. Over the course of the library’s participation in this program, it is estimated that 3,900 books were added to the library’s collection. Participation in this program bridges the gap between demand and availability, convenient access to a wider range of materials, and creates a patron driven collection development which is a major enhancement of services to the community.
Staff remains available for questions the Council may have.
Prepared By:
Kelsey White Funkhouser, Administrative Secretary
Attachments: A. City Council Resolution No. 25-074 Accepting the California State Library Zip Book Project Grant
B. City Council Resolution No. 25-075 Amending the FY 25/26 Budget
C. Award Letter
D. Award Agreement and Certificate of Compliance