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State Library Guide
K12 Academics Resource Library

California Libraries: Free for Students, Parents & Teachers

What your California public and state library gives you free with a card: research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, homework help, early literacy, and accessible reading.

Public Libraries
221
Locations
1,236
Annual Visits
87,336,371
Items Borrowed / yr
218,162,056
Your State LibraryBy the NumbersEarly LiteracyAccessible ReadingFind a LibraryOfficial Links
Your State Library

California State Library

Every resident of California has free access to a statewide library system run by California State Library. With a local library card, students, parents, and teachers can use research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, and learning programs at no cost. Here is what is available and how to get it.

Worth knowing: Publishes an annual compilation of California public library statistics; has a Student & Teacher Resources area.
The state, by the numbers

California public libraries at a glance

Public libraries
221
library systems in the state
Service locations
1,236
main libraries, branches & bookmobiles
Visits a year
87,336,371
in-person visits statewide
Items borrowed a year
218,162,056
total materials circulated
Program attendance
9,122,659
at library programs
Children's program attendance
5,443,583
at youth programs
Visits per resident
2
per person, per year
Source: U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Public Libraries Survey (FY 2024). View the data →
Birth to kindergarten

Early literacy programs

California Library Literacy Services includes Families for Literacy, delivered through local public libraries.

For print-disabled readers

Accessible reading & talking books

Students and family members who cannot read standard print (because of a visual, physical, or reading disability such as dyslexia) can get free audiobooks and braille through Braille and Talking Book Library, part of the national NLS network and its BARD download service. The Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL) at the California State Library in Sacramento serves Northern California through the NLS network, while Southern California is served by Braille Institute Library Services; certification required.

Get started

Find a library & get a card

Use the official locator to find your nearest California public library, hours, and how to get a card. Find a library →

Verify at the source

Official links

California State Libraryhttps://www.library.ca.govFind a libraryhttps://www.library.ca.gov