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County of Monterey
Monterey County Free Libraries

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Request Library by Mail Service

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Your library is as close as your mailbox and it is free!
831-883-7544 or 1-800-322-6884

email: Library-By-Mail@countyofmonterey.gov

The Library by Mail program of the Monterey County Free Libraries was established in spring of 1986 with the name Books by Mail to provide free library services to residents living in geographically remote areas of Monterey County and to other people unable to get to a library facility. In spring 2009 Books by Mail was officially renamed Library by Mail to reflect the wider range of services provided by the program and to offer Library by Mail delivery service to residents in Monterey County. It is a modern and convenient way to use the resources of the libraries and it is free.

What is it?

We will send library materials by mail to residents in Monterey County with a valid library card. Postage for delivery and pick up is prepaid, so there is no cost to you.  If you need a valid library card, please go to Get a Library Card to fill out an application.

Most items typically borrowed in person at the library can be delivered to you by mail. This includes adult, young adult, and children’s materials, large print books, talking books, DVDs, videos and more. Book Club to Go bags are not delivered by mail.

You can also request information on any topic and we will send the supporting materials to you by mail.

How it Works

When you borrow through Library by Mail you will have several ways to select your materials:

  1. You can go online to the Monterey County Free Libraries website: www.MontereyCountyFreeLibraries.org
  2. Log into your account and search through our catalog and place materials on hold for yourself. Select “Library by Mail”
    as your pick up location. Materials will be sent to you by mail.
  3. You can call Library by Mail staff with the materials you wish to order, and we will then put your selections on hold for you. 831-883-7544 or 1-800-322-6884.
  4. You can ask the Library by Mail staff to choose items for you.  Just give us the names of authors or subjects that interest you.

Once your requests are received, Library by Mail staff will mail your selections to you in reusable shipping bags. The return postage for each bag is pre-stamped on the mailing label.  You should return items you borrow in the same shipping bag with the pre-stamped return label or return the complete bag to your local branch library.  The loan period for Library by Mail materials is extended to four weeks. Please note that materials borrowed directly from a branch have shorter loan period.

A Vital Service

From its inception, Library by Mail has played an important role in providing library service to residents of Monterey County. Many people use the service each week. You can be one of them!