2026-2027 Zip Books
At a glance
2026-2027 Zip Books is a closed California state grant opportunity from CA State Library (State of California). The application deadline was May 20, 2026. Total estimated funding is $800K. Applicant types listed as eligible include public agency. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.
Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.
Expected to open around April 2027
This program has posted at about the same time each year. If it follows its pattern, the next round should post between Mar 16, 2027 and Jun 4, 2027, with about 29 days to apply.
Based on 5 past postings: Jun 22, 2022, Apr 3, 2023, Apr 28, 2025, Apr 22, 2026 and earlier. Confidence: low. Agencies can change or skip a year; only the agency's posted notice is official. Watch it and we'll email you when the next round posts.
Key facts
- Apr 22, 2026Posted
- May 20, 2026Application deadline
- Opened
- Apr 22, 2026
- Close date
- May 20, 2026
- Award floor
- Not specified
- Award ceiling
- Not specified
- Est. total funding
- $800,000
- Expected awards
- Not specified
- Matching funds
- Not required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)
- Type
- Grant
- Funding source
- State — This project was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
- Matching funds
- Not Required
- Funding method
- Advances & Reimbursement(s) — A typical payment schedule is as follows: 90% upon execution of the agreement and the State Library’s receipt of the awardee’s claim form; and 10% upon receipt and approval of the final reports. It may take up to 8 weeks to receive a check after the claim form is processed.
- Estimated number of awards
- Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
- Estimated award amounts
- Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
- Award period
- 07/01/26-08/31/27
- Expected award announcement
- July 2026
- Letter of intent
- Not required
- Geography
- This opportunity is for public libraries in California.
- How to submit
- Online: https://www.library.ca.gov/grants/zip-books/
- Latest change note
- Added application due date.
Who can apply
Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.
- Public Agency
Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)
The only eligible applicants are California public libraries. A public branch library should apply to participate through its jurisdiction, not as a specific location within the jurisdiction.
A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.
Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.
What it funds
Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.
Purpose
The Zip Books program provides library users with access to books that are not available at their local libraries. A patron requests the item, the library purchases it from qualified vendor, and the book is shipped to the patron’s home. The patron returns the book to the library, and the library adds it to the collection. Because Zip Books is a user-driven program, the library collection becomes more closely matched to the needs of the community.
Description
The Zip Books program is an alternative model for interlibrary loan service that bridges the gaps between a library’s patron request service, a normal acquisitions process, and an outreach/home delivery service. It is based on a project called “Zip Books—Digital Library of Northern California,” conducted by the Butte, Shasta, and Humboldt County Libraries under a FY 2011/12 LSTA grant from the California State Library. The Zip Books program is currently supported with California Library Services Act funds from the state of California. Under the Zip Books program, patrons request books that the library does not own. The library then orders the book from Amazon, and the book is shipped directly to the patron’s home. When the patron is finished with the book, the book is returned to the library and added to the collection. Please note, the recently passed state budget does not contain money for the Zip Books program. The State Library is unable to award grants to libraries that applied for funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. We want to express our appreciation for the time and effort your library team put into your 2026-2027 Zip Books applications. If you have any questions, please contact Reed Strege, Library Programs Administrator, at reed.strege@library.ca.gov.
Past applications & awards
Historical data · not a predictionReported by the agency for this listing
- Fiscal year 2025–2698 applications · 0 awards
Program contact (as published)
zipbooks@library.ca.gov
1-916-603-7159
Quick answers
Who is eligible to apply for “2026-2027 Zip Books”?
The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Public Agency. It adds: “The only eligible applicants are California public libraries. A public branch library should apply to participate through its jurisdiction, not as a specific location within the jurisdiction.” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.
How much funding is available through “2026-2027 Zip Books”?
Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $800,000.
How do I apply for “2026-2027 Zip Books”?
Applications go directly to CA State Library, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://www.library.ca.gov/grants/zip-books/. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.
Related open opportunities
Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.
Lunch at the Library Summer 2027
CA State Library- Award range
- Amount not specified
- Closes
- Ongoing
- Who can apply
- Nonprofit and Public Agency