Stanislaus County Library

Stanislaus County Libraries are open without capacity restrictions

Effective June 15, 2021, most Stanislaus County Libraries are open to the public without capacity restrictions. Masks and social distancing are no longer required for fully vaccinated customers or staff. All public computers are available for use, with a maximum of three hours (180 minutes) per person per day, in 60 minute sessions.

Most locations are open Monday through Friday; Modesto and Salida Libraries are open Monday through Thursday and Saturday; Empire Library is open Tuesday through Saturday; see the complete list of hours here.

Libraries in Denair and Keyes continue to offer holds pick-up only at this time. The Turlock Library remains closed for expansion and renovation. It is expected to reopen in August.

Book returns reopened on March 22 and there is no longer a quarantine period on returned materials. Libraries have also resumed accepting book donations.

Extreme Heat

High temperatures are expected over the next several days. Remember to drink plenty of water and avoid outdoor activity during the heat of the day. Seek air conditioned spaces. Libraries and other community locations are Cooling Zones. For more information and heat safety tips, please visit StanEmergency.

Empire Library Building Project

The new Empire Library located at 98 I Street, next to the Regional Water Safety Center/Empire Pool and park, opened for operation beginning June 9. Visit the Empire Library Building Project page for details.

A video of the celebration of the completion of the Empire Community Library on Tuesday, June 8 is available here.

La nueva Biblioteca de Empire está ubicada en el 98 de la calle I al lado del Centro Regional de Seguridad Hídrica/la Piscina de Empire y Parque, la biblioteca abrió para proveer servicio al público el 9 de junio. Visite nuestra página acerca del Proyecto de Construcción de la Biblioteca de Empire para obtener más información.

Aquí se encuentra un video de la celebración del martes, 8 de junio, de la clausura del proyecto de construcción de la Biblioteca Comunitaria de Empire.

Didgeridoo Down Under - June 16-24, 2021

The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound, but Didgeridoo Down Under is much more than music. Enjoy this interactive, educational, motivational and super fun virtual program. You’ll learn about Aussie culture, animals and more, all while moving & grooving to the rhythms of the didgeridoo.

Reading Challenges

The Summer Reading Challenge begins May 18 and runs through August 3 with a challenge for everyone! Register today on Beanstack. More information is available on our Reading Challenges page.

El Reto de lectura de verano se llevará a cabo entre el 18 de mayo al 3 de agosto. ¡Hay un reto de lectura para todos! Inscríbanse en el reto de lectura por medio de nuestra página de Beanstack. Más información está disponible en nuestra página de Retos de lectura.

Brainfuse JobNow & VetNow

The library is now offering JobNow and VetNow, which features live online assistance, resume lab help, and wide range of academic tools to help job seekers and veterans reach their goals. Users have access to live help from tutors and job coaches. Log in with your library card number to access the many online tools available. This service is provided through the California State Library.

Library Virtual Escape Rooms

Join us for some virtual escape rooms, also known as Panic or Breakout Rooms. In these fun activities, you'll discover clues and solve puzzles to unlock the answers. Take a walk down the yellow brick road and test your knowledge in the Wizard of Oz Escape Room.

Meet Libby, Our New eMagazine App

Check out and download from over 3,000 eMagazines in our new OverDrive Libby app on your smart device or the Libby app website on your computer.

Enjoy free access to thousands of eMagazines, including popular titles such as Better Homes & Garden, Vogue, Newsweek, and more. A valid Stanislaus County Library card is required. This app is for eMagazines only. eBooks and eAudiobooks are available through cloudLibrary and Hoopla.

For more information about eMagazines and the Libby app, please visit our eMagazine Information page here.

Reading Recommendations

Need help finding your next great read? Fill out the Book Recommendations form and we will provide personalized recommendations for you.

Apply for a Digital Services Library Card here.

Transparent Language Online

The library is now offering a new online language learning program. Transparent Language Online offers a comprehensive language-learning program. With this flexible program, you can quickly and easily learn new languages using a wide variety of courses and activities. Explore the available languages and then start learning here.

Enjoy these free online resources

While libraries are closed, please enjoy our digital materials, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video on the eResources tab, where you'll find links to resources from CloudLibrary, Hoopla, RBDigital, and more. In addition, we've compiled other free resources available online, including at-home learning resources for students and parents, free eBooks, eAudiobooks, online story presentations and author talks, as well as virtual tours of famous museums, zoos and aquariums. Visit our More Free Online Resources page and come back often as we add more resources you can use.

Library Wi-Fi

Free library Wi-Fi is now available outside the Modesto Library. Daily access is available 8 am to 8 pm in the library parking lot 7 days a week.

Online Payments

You can pay your library fines and fees online through our secure site.

Access the online payment site here, or select "Make a Payment" from the "Useful Sites" menu on the right, or from the "About Us" drop down menu above. Log in with your library card number and PIN. You will be able to select which fines or fees you would like to pay. There is a minimum payment of $1.00 required for online payments.

Turlock Library Expansion

The Turlock Library is growing!

The Turlock Library will be closed for expansion and renovation beginning March 16, 2020. Completion of the expanded Turlock Library is expected in Spring 2021. The expansion project will increase the size of the library by 60%, with larger spaces for children's and teen collections, a community room, a makerspace and outdoor spaces for library programming. Please visit the Turlock Library Expansion & Renovation page for additional information, construction photos, and more.

During the closure, we invite you to visit and pick up holds from our nearby libraries.

• Denair Library, 4801 Kersey Road, Denair, CA 95316 (5 miles)
• Keyes Library, 4420 Maud Avenue, Keyes, CA 95328 (6 miles)
• Hughson Library, 2412 A Third Street, Hughson, CA 95326 (8 miles)
• Ceres Library, 2250 Magnolia Street, Ceres, CA 95307 (10 miles)

You can find a complete list of our locations and hours here.

If you would like to change the pick-up location of hold you have placed that has not yet been filled, please visit our website or Library mobile app to access your account and make the change online.

To change the pick-up location of a hold that has already been filled, please call the Modesto Library Circulation Department at 209-558-7808 for assistance.

Didn't find what you were looking for in our catalog? Try Zip Books! Zip Books is a service for customers to request books and audiobooks that are not in the Stanislaus County Library's catalog. The item is delivered to your home for a three-week checkout, free of charge, using Amazon Prime. More information and request form.

Free online access to the New York Times from 1851 to present, including newspaper content, multimedia, videos, Spanish and Mandarin versions of nytimes.com, and more. To activate your subscription, register with the nytimes.com or log in with an existing account. Detailed access instructions here.

Sign up to receive news about library programs and services delivered straight to your inbox!

You can now subscribe to the library's monthly calendar of events, as well as periodic email blasts from your local library. These emails come in an engaging format that are easily accessible from a computer or mobile device.

Sign up here

Stanislaus Memory Project

You can be a part of preserving history! The purpose of the Stanislaus Memory Project is to collect, digitize and preserve photos, videos, audio, documents, and objects of historical significance, in order to preserve the unique history of Stanislaus County. The project was initiated by collecting materials related to Graffiti, cruising, and the local car culture. In the future, materials related to other aspects of the county's history will be added. The public is invited to submit photos or other materials for possible inclusion in this collection of Stanislaus County history. Please contact the Library if you wish to contribute to the Memory Project or have an idea for a future collection.

Access your "my Social Security" account, view and apply for benefits, access forms, and more.

Learn about happenings at Stanislaus County Libraries in the 2019-2020 Annual Report available here .

Not sure where to start your family history research?

Visit the Modesto Library. Members of the Genealogical Society of Stanislaus County offer free, personalized assistance in the Special Collections Room every Monday from 10 am - 3 pm. Also available by appointment. For more information, please call (209) 558-7814.

Affordable Care Act Information

Want to learn more about the Affordable Care Act? Here are some useful resources:

• Covered California

Toll free help line:

• 800-300-1506 (English)
• 800-300-0213 (Spanish)

Help is also available in 200 other languages

The California Report Card

Here's your opportunity to grade California on various issues facing our state. Anyone can participate by taking a few minutes to assign grades to the state of California on timely issues including healthcare, education, and immigrant rights. Participants are then invited to enter an online "Cafe" to propose issues for future versions of the platform.

The California Report Card works on all screens and is designed for mobile phones held vertically. To participate, please visit California Report Card

About Us

Who We Are

We are a system of 13 libraries located in communities throughout Stanislaus County. Stanislaus County Library engages all members of the community and offers access to information, knowledge, and the tools for innovation and personal development.

What We Do

• We provide information and reading material in print and electronic formats.
• We provide special programs for children and teens, designed to enhance learning and encourage a lifelong love of reading.
• We provide presentations on various topics of interest for adults.
• We offer a passport application acceptance service.
• We offer language learning materials.

What We Offer

The Stanislaus County Library provides books, books on CD, magazines, newspapers, premium content databases, and a mobile app, as well as downloadable digital content such as movies, music, TV shows, magazines, audiobooks, and language learning software. The library also offers a robust line-up of programs and presentations that enhance learning at all levels.