Library Lines: Contra Costa branches’ 2025 digital checkouts broke record
The Contra Costa County Library system is celebrating a record-breaking year for digital checkouts in 2025, reaching an extraordinary 3,045,601 checkouts via Overdrive’s Libby app.
OverDrive is the Contra Costa library system’s primary digital lending platform, providing access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and more. Contra Costa library users helped propel digital lending to new heights last year, boosting annual circulation by 21% over 2024 and making the library system rank as the seventh-highest circulating OverDrive library in California.
That momentum has carried into the new year, with Contra Costa libraries setting a new daily record of 11,563 digital loans on Jan. 2. Looking ahead, the county’s library system is focused on adding to this success and continuing to expand digital resources for all Contra Costa residents.
Borrow digital titles anytime through Libby, OverDrive’s free, user-friendly app available for Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire devices. For more information on digital resources or to start using Overdrive/Libby, visit the library system’s Digital Resources webpage at ccclib.org/resources.
Pinole closure: Beginning March 1, the Pinole Library will close for an extensive 11-month infrastructure renovation to modernize its 50-year-old facility and address critical deferred maintenance.
Paid for by county library funds, the county’s Measure X sales tax and state and local grants, the project features essential infrastructure upgrades, including a new roof, updated electrical systems, federal Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking improvements and the installation of an all-electric HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) system and energy-efficient lighting.
While the building is closed, patrons are encouraged to use nearby branches in El Sobrante and Hercules and to place holds or access digital resources online. Any holds not retrieved by Feb. 28 will be transferred to the El Sobrante Library for pickup.
Black Children’s Book Week: Officials at Contra Costa County libraries are proud to celebrate Black Children’s Book Week for all of February. Black Children’s Book Week is a global commemoration of Black children and those who ensure Black children are represented in books and media.
The libraries will feature storytime events with authors Robert Liu-Trujillo and Phelicia Lang, a bookmaking program with local educator LeVera Wilson and free bookmark giveaways. For full details, including program locations and times, special booklists and to discover more Black History Month celebrations, visit ccclib.org online.
Black Life in America: This news resource explores the experience and impact of Black people in America as recorded by the news media from 1704 to today. The content is sourced from nearly 20,000 American and global news sources, including more than 400 current and historical Black publications.
It covers many topical categories such as slavery and flights to freedom, voting rights and voter suppression and disenfranchisement, segregation and civil rights, prejudice and discrimination and activism and protest movements. Get free access to this resource by visiting the Digital Resources webpage listed above.
Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to free books and resources. For questions about Contra Costa library services and programming or account information, contact the library system via email at ask@library.cccounty.us or text questions to 925-344-5524.
Brooke Converse is the Contra Costa County Library system’s public information officer and can be reached at brooke.converse@library.cccounty.us.
Library calendar
Lunar New Year Celebration: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Pinole Library. Celebrate the Year of the Horse and Lunar New Year at this library branch. Yee’s Martial Arts will return once again for this astounding annual event, sharing a Lion Dance, drumming & kung fu demonstration with attendees.
Chinese New Year Pop Art Collaboration: 4 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Moraga Library. Join us for a community pop art project and help us create a vibrant Chinese New Year display by coloring one section of our large-scale dragon artwork. All supplies are provided.
Podcast Essentials Workshop: 6 p.m. Feb. 19 via Zoom. This six-week online workshop is perfect for adults and teens eager to start their own podcast or vlog, and no prior experience is needed. We’ll guide you through every step, from planning and recording to editing and marketing, ensuring you have the skills to not only launch but also grow and manage your show. Registration is required. This is the first workshop of a series. See the “Events” link online at ccclib.org for the full schedule.
Charged Particles Jazz Concert: 4 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Bay Point Library. Join Bay Area jazz quartet Charged Particles for an electrifying afternoon of funky Latin jazz. Learn about the history of jazz, listen to different musical styles and enjoy the music. All ages are welcome.