Starting June 15, the Kern County Library will offer curbside services at select locations.
Access Our Contactless Services!
An appointment is strongly encouraged to reduce wait times and to ensure smooth, quick service. Fill out our online form to make an appointment request, call 661.868.0701 to schedule an appointment, or email info@kernlibrary.org.
Although an appointment is not required to receive service, scheduling an appointment does ensure that your materials are ready for pickup and that you receive quicker service. Customers that arrive without an appointment may experience wait times and all materials may not be available.
Make a Request
Request items through your Library account on our ValleyCat catalog.
Skip to Step #2
You can also skip straight to requesting an appointment through our online form. This works perfectly if you would like a “grab bag” of 3-5 titles preselected by our staff or would like staff to check the shelves to see if titles are on-site.
Notification
The system will automatically notify you that your item(s) are available.
Schedule an Appointment
Request an appointment to pick up your items at one of our seven locations offering Curbside Services through our online form.
Request Appointment
Â
Arrive at Your Appointment
Follow the directional signage to the parking area.
Wait in your car and Call the posted phone number.
Have your Kern County Library card Ready.
Library staff will deliver your materials to the trunk and/or rear of your vehicle.
Tell Us What You Want, What You Really Really Want
Pick Up Your Existing Holds
If you received notice prior to the Library’s COVID-19 closure beginning March 17 that your hold was ready, you may still have holds available for curbside pickup. Library staff will be contacting all customers with holds from not-currently-open locations to see about moving them to a curbside-service branch.
If you have holds available, request a pickup appointment at one of the branches offering curbside services by accessing our online form, calling the Library at 661.868.0701, or emailing info@kernlibrary.org
Ask Library Staff to Make Recommendations
Call 661.868.0701 to speak with a Library staff member from our Call Center (calls answered between 12-6pm, Monday-Friday). Library staff will place the hold for you at a library branch of your choice.
Holds are filled in the order they are received. After you get the notification that your holds are available, request a pickup appointment at the Library of your choice by filling out our online form, calling the Library at 661.868.0701, or by emailing info@kernlibrary.org.
Pay Fees
The Library will not be accepting cash during curbside services.Â
If you need to pay a fine or fee, please use a credit card or debit card and pay online via our website.
Place New Holds
Place new holds through the ValleyCat catalog, and make sure you are requesting the title to arrive at a branch offering curbside service. Â
Holds will be filled in the order they are received. After you get a notification that your holds are available, request a pickup appointment by filling out our online form, calling 661.868.0701, or emailing info@kernlibrary.org.
Staff Picks & Grab Bags
Tell us what you would like to check out! Library staff will place holds on a selection of titles for you based upon your interests.
You can request staff picks and grab bags by filling out our online form. You will be notified if your books will take time to arrive or are already on-site.
Holds will be filled in the order they are received. After you get a notification that your holds are available, make a pickup appointment by calling 661.868.0701 or emailing info@kernlibrary.org.
Return Items
The Library is accepting returns through our bookdrops at all 24 locations across the County.Â
Returns should be placed in the bookdrop only; we will not be accepting returns personally at curbside. Returned items will still show as checked out on your account while undergoing our 7-day quarantine process before staff can safely check them in.
Library Programming
The Library is still offering its Summer Reading Challenge — just virtually instead!
Sign up and track your reading through Beanstack. Some prizes will be awarded digitally, while physical prizes included the FREE book will be available for pickup beginning July. Library Programming is being held regularly on branch Facebook pages and includes crafts, puppet shows, magic shows, and much more! Access our Summer Reading page for more info.
For customers interested in claiming their In-N-Out FREE Hamburger certificates, schedule an appointment for pickup in July.
Updates on COVID-19
The Library encourages customers to access the Kern County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 Dashboard and to stay informed about health updates.
For even more information and resources, access our Health Resources page for more info.
Interested in accessing our services?      Learn More About Getting a Library Card
Select Curbside Locations
Curbside service will begin on June 15, 2020 at select Kern County Library locations.
Arvin Branch
201 Campus Drive
Tuesdays – Thursdays @ 12-6pm
Beale Memorial
701 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield
Mondays – Fridays @ 12-6pm
Grab-N-Go Lunch on September 21 – December 18
Mondays – Fridays @ 12-1pm
Delano Branch
925 10th Avenue
Mondays – Thursdays @ 12-6pm
Kern River Valley Branch
7053 Lake Isabella Boulevard
Wednesdays – Fridays @ 12-6pm
Ridgecrest Branch
131 E. Las Flores Avenue
Mondays – Thursdays @ 12-6pm
Taft Branch
27 Cougar Court
Mondays – Wednesdays @ 12-6pm
Tehachapi Branch
212 S. Green Street
Wednesdays – Fridays @ 12-6pm
Questions?
Call 661.868.0701 to talk to a real person or reference our frequently asked questions below!
What safety precautions is the Library taking?
All Kern County Library staff have received training and the personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to keep themselves, other staff, and the public safe. All employees wear face coverings according to the CDC and County recommendations, and the Kern County Library asks that Library customers observe social distancing best practices.
Materials returned to the book drop or during curbside service will not reflect immediately on customer accounts due to the Library’s three-day quarantine process of materials, which will preserve the safety of staff and community members.
Who can use Curbside Services?
Curbside Services is available for all Kern County Library customers with an account in good standing. If you are experiencing any issues with your Library account, we encourage you to call us at 661.868.0701 on Monday-Friday or email us at info@kernlibrary.org.
Who can pick up my items?
During Curbside Services, you can allow anyone to pick up your items. Inform staff prior to your appointment time who will be picking up your items. The person picking up items will need to show their ID for verification purposes.
What if I no longer want to check out the items I have on hold?
You can either call us at 661.868.0701 on Monday-Friday to cancel your holds, or you can cancel holds through the ValleyCat catalog or app.
How long will my holds be available for pickup after I receive phone/email notification?
Your holds will be available for 10 days from the date your items are received at the requested pickup location. This information is provided in the notice as well as on your holds page in ValleyCat online or app. When you receive notification, you request an appointment for pickup through our online form, by calling 661.868.0701 on Monday-Friday, or emailing info@kernlibrary.org.
How many grab bags can I request?
We are limiting grab bag requests to 2 grab bags per card holder per appointment. Each grab bag includes 3-5 titles.
How long can I keep my checked out items?
We have extended our standard loan period of 21 days to 28 days during this timeframe. If you need to renew materials, you may do so through ValleyCat Online, the app, or by calling 661.868.0701 on Monday-Friday.
Where do I return items?
You may return your materials to any Kern County Library branch bookdrop, even at branches that are not currently offering curbside services.
Why are items I have returned still showing as checked out on my account?
In order to ensure the health and safety of our staff and customers, we are quarantining all returned materials for 7 days. Depending on the day you return an item, it could take 7-10 days for your library account to reflect a returned item. All materials are checked in for the date you have returned them, not the date that quarantine has completed.
Where do I go when I arrive at the Library?
Although not detailed, here is a general layout of where parking and picking up books will take place. Library staff will be on-site to direct you.
How do I renew my Kern County Library card?
You may renew your Kern County Library card online or you can call 661.868.0701 on Monday-Friday.
Do Grab-N-Go Lunches require a Library card or an appointment?
Grab-N-G0 lunches do not require a library card or an appointment. Families will be directed through to the lunch pickup line.
