Chico Branch Library

The Chico Library is a branch of the Butte County Library system. The library has a huge children's area with regularly scheduled storytimes for infants to preschoolers, a fiction section, non-fiction section, a teen area, magazines, newspapers, audio CDs, books on tape, music CDs, DVDs, videos, local history books, telephone books, an historical local newspaper collection on microfilm, and many documents and maps pertaining to the State of California. Because this library has a large fiction section, it is a perfect companion to Chico State's Meriam Library, which has only non-fiction texts. The library has a number of publicly available computer terminals with Internet connection, including one system dedicated to Consumer Reports access. In addition, they have accessibility services for the hard of seeing, allowing conversion of text into braille using a scanning system. The branch also has a variety of books published in braille. There is free wifi available throughout the library.

The library provides web access to account information and research and educational resources through the use of your library card number. An online catalog is also available, which allows people to see whether or not a book or other type of library material is owned by the Butte County Library system, and whether it's currently checked out or available. Hold requests can be placed on circulating items owned by the Library system regardless of which Library branch they're located at, and the items will be sent at no cost to the branch requested for check out and return.

In order to receive a library card, those 18 years of age and older must bring a photo I.D. and proof of valid mailing address in the form of a California driver's license or I.D., vehicle registration, utility bill, rental agreement, or postal correspondence. Children under the age of 13 must have a parent or legal guardian sign their library card application; those 13 or older may sign their own application and need to provide the name of a parent or legal guardian. Everyone, regardless of whether they live within Chico City Limits or not, may use the Chico Library as well as all other Butte County Library branches.

The Chico Branch Library has a conference room that can be reserved for public non-profit events such as potlucks, book clubs, and meetings. Chico Friends of the Library, for example, hosts regular board meetings and other events at the conference room.

The Friends of the Library have a weekly book sale at the library for fundraising to benefit the library. Cheap books (both hard bound and paperback), maps, movies, and more can be found here. Great for anyone on a budget or anyone who likes to help out their local library!