Black Gold Cooperative Library System

For over 50 years, the Paso Robles City Library has been a member of the Black Gold Cooperative Library System—a group formed by independent libraries along the California Central Coast that today includes the Santa Maria Public Library, Lompoc Public Library, Goleta Valley Library System, Carpinteria Community Library, and the Blanchard Community Library in Santa Paula. The partnership provides patrons with increased access to physical and electronic materials through a shared catalog. As part of the system, the Paso Robles City Library has also benefited from the introduction of updated technology and innovations in service to support local patron needs.

Update:

Recently, the San Luis Obispo County Library system and the Santa Barbara Library announced their departure from the Black Gold Cooperative Library System. To assist patrons with this transition, we have provided these FAQs.

FAQs

Is the Paso Robles City Library leaving Black Gold? No. While Paso Robles is in the County of San Luis Obispo, the Paso Robles City Library is an independent municipal library, outside of the San Luis Obispo County Library system. It will remain in Black Gold. 

Will I have access to library materials from other libraries? Yes. Paso Robles City Library cardholders will continue to have seamless access to over 500,000 physical items belonging to the remaining Black Gold libraries, which will continue to be accessed in the shared catalog. In addition, cardholders will continue to have access to over 400,000 titles in the consortium's OverDrive eBook, audiobook, and magazine collection.

Will I need to get a new library card? If your library card begins with 22138, you can continue to borrow items from the Paso Robles City Library or one of the remaining Black Gold libraries. Please note: In the system migration during April 22-23, passwords were changed to the last four digits of your primary phone number. You can reset your password if you choose. Library cards beginning with 22063 or 21447 now only work in San Luis Obispo County library branches or the Santa Barbara Public Library, respectively. Those library cardholders are welcome to apply for a Paso Robles City Library card to continue borrowing Black Gold materials.

What if the Black Gold libraries don’t have what I want to read? Paso Robles City Library card holders can use our grant-funded Zip Book program to request material that is not available in the Black Gold catalog. To learn more about Zip Books, or to place a request, go to  ZIP Books.

Can I still return San Luis Obispo County or Santa Barbara Public Library materials here? To ensure proper return, items should be returned to their owning location. We are only able to check in items that belong to Black Gold Cooperative Member Libraries. This includes: Paso Robles City Library, Santa Maria Public Library, Lompoc Public Library, Goleta Valley Library System, Carpinteria Community Library, and the Blanchard Community Library in Santa Paula.