Holdings | Reference | Periodicals | Special Collections | Books
Audio-Visual | Library Cards | Loan Periods, Limits & Renewals
Home Delivery Service | Telephone Reference Service  
Reading Works |  Library Annual Reports   
Community Meeting Rooms  |  Library Desktop Wallpapers  
Traveling Tales | Interlibrary Loan

Holdings

The Stanislaus County Free Library has reference and circulating books for adults and children, videotapes, books-on-tape, instructional foreign language audiotapes, newspapers, magazines, and government documents. In addition, we have California and federal law codes, as well as college catalogs for all colleges in California and some out-of-state institutions, topographic maps, telephone books from around the world, and pamphlets. Special areas are set aside for genealogy and Californiana. Chilton's automobile repair manuals may be requested at the Magazine Desk; Kelley Blue Books are at the reference desk.

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Reference

Reference materials in the Stanislaus County Free Library cannot be checked out, with the exception of older encyclopedias. We have separate business and law reference sections.

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Periodicals

We subscribe to many newspapers and hundreds of magazines. We carry several indexes, including the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, the San Francisco Chronicle index, the New York Times index, and the Wall Street Journal index. In addition, we also provide access to an online magazine index, EBSCOHOST through our OPAC and remote use.  Current issues of magazines and issues older than 6 months do not circulate.

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Special Collections

The Special Collections room at the Modesto Library includes works on genealogy, sections on California and local history, and older high school yearbooks. This area also includes non-current editions of local telephone and city directories. None of these items may be checked out. The Special Collections room is maintained as a "quiet area" of the library.

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Interlibrary Loan

The Interlibrary Loan program is used by Stanislaus County Library cardholders seeking books, periodicals and other resources not owned by the Stanislaus County Library system. Items may be obtained from institutions throughout North America. To place a request, please call the Reference Department at (209) 558-7814 or go to your local library reference department. There is a $5.00 search / request fee per title.

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Books

Fiction books are shelved according to the last name of the author. Non-fiction items are shelved according to the Dewey classification. Other book areas include large print, test books, biographies, teens' books, paperback fiction and foreign-language.

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Audio-visual

Videotapes are shelved near the front of the library. We do not carry current popular titles, but we do have many older classic and foreign films, as well as videotapes on many subjects.

We also have books-on-tape and foreign-language audiotapes. The library does not have equipment for in-library use of audio or videotapes.

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Library Cards

Stanislaus County Library cards are available at all SCL branches. The card can be used for library services at all 13 libraries in the Stanislaus County Library System. The card is free. A piece of identification, such as a California DMV identification card or driver's license, is required. Customers must also provide proof of current address, such as a utility bill, to verify their mailing address. Library card applications for customers 12 years old or younger require a parent's or a legal guardian's signature. There is no replacement charge for a lost card. If you change your name or address, please notify us by calling (209) 558-7808 or your local branch. Please call (209) 558-7808 immediately if your card is lost or stolen; call Monday-Thursday 10 am - 9 pm, Friday-Saturday 10 am - 5 pm.

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Loan Periods, Limits and Renewals

Materials may be renewed twice, unless a hold has been placed on the item.

Books and magazines may be returned to any library in the county system, either inside the library or at the curbside book drops that are located at many of the libraries. The Modesto Library has two book drops, one in front of the library and one just inside the front door. Please return all materials by the due date. Materials not returned on time are subject to the following:

1. Fines of 25 cents per day per item for all items will be levied, except for videos, which are $3.00 per day.
2. If materials are overdue, one courtesy reminder will be mailed to you. Please inform us of any address changes.
3. If you do not return materials after the courtesy reminder, your account will be sent to a collection agency. A $7.50 collection fee will be added to the charges you owe.
4. If you accumulate charges above $5.00, we must suspend your checkout privileges until we receive payment.

If your card is lost or stolen, contact us at (209) 558-7808 immediately. Replacement cards are free.

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Home Delivery Service

Home delivery service is available for customers who are unable to come to the library. Call (209) 558-7817 for more information.

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Telephone Reference Service

Stanislaus County residents may call in with reference questions. The telephone number is (209) 558-7814. Telephone reference service is available Sunday-Saturday during regular library hours.  For online reference see Ask the Library.

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Reading Works

Modesto Library Reading Works Location: 
Monday - Thursday     10 - 4
Friday  - Sunday          closed

Program and volunteer information.   

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Traveling Tales

 Thanks to a grant from the Stanislaus County Children and Families Commission, the Stanislaus County Library is pleased to offer themed storytelling kits and in-depth storytelling training to those who serve children 0-5 years old in Stanislaus County.  Each theme kit contains 4-8 storybooks, fingerplays, a flannel board story or activity cards, a puppet, an audio cassette or CD, and instructions.  After enrolling in Traveling Tales, these storytelling kits are available for check out from any of the Stanislaus County Library's 13 branches.

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