Library

The San Bernardino County Library provides public library services, digital research materials, educational programs, online learning resources, literacy assistance, age-specific services, community events, and specialized support for veterans and their families. This article explains how residents can use the library’s official online services, identify the right program or branch, prepare for literacy participation, locate events, select appropriate research tools, and avoid common problems when using county library resources.

Library Services and Online Access

The official San Bernardino County Library website is the central starting point for library information and online services. The site brings together traditional library functions with digital research databases, educational platforms, reading materials, language-learning programs, technology training, historical collections, and other resources that can be used for school, work, personal research, or lifelong learning.

Visitors should begin by identifying the type of service they need rather than searching through every available database. Someone researching a school topic may need a different resource from a person working on vehicle repairs, learning basic computer skills, studying a new language, researching family history, or looking for tutoring assistance. The library organizes many of these services into areas such as the Digital Library, online databases, age-based sections, events, and literacy programs.

The official website should also be used to verify current service information before relying on an older bookmark or saved page. County pages can display system maintenance notices, and temporary website interruptions may occur during scheduled maintenance. The referenced library pages include a county maintenance notice for September 9, 2026, between 11:00 p.m. and midnight, during which intermittent downtime may occur.

Research and Digital Content

The library maintains a dedicated Research and e-Content section organized around the Digital Library, online databases, Click and Learn, and Writer's Nook. This section is useful when the goal is to work with electronic materials instead of locating a physical item at a branch.

The library's database collection covers several distinct purposes. Choosing a resource based on the subject and intended audience can reduce unnecessary searching and help users work with material designed for the type of question they have.

Academic and General Research

Students and other researchers can work with multiple reference and research platforms available through the library. ProQuest is described by the library as a resource that simplifies the research process and supports novice researchers in grades 6 and above. Gale in Context resources are divided by audience and subject, including Elementary, High School, Biography, and Opposing Viewpoints. General OneFile provides another research option, while Archives Unbound provides access to archival materials.

Britannica School is another educational research resource, and Britannica Escolar provides a Spanish-language option. National Geographic Kids offers content intended for younger users who want to explore subjects through National Geographic materials.

When selecting between these services, users should pay attention to the intended age or research level. A middle school student, high school student, adult learner, and experienced researcher may be better served by different databases even when they are researching the same broad subject. Starting with the resource that matches the user's level can make the search process more manageable.

News and Historical Sources

The library also provides access to current and historical news resources. NewsBank offers news materials from around the world with access available around the clock. The California Digital Newspaper Collection provides digitized historical California newspapers published from 1846 to the present. The New York Times is also included among the library's available news resources.

These services serve different research needs. Someone studying a historical California event may find the state newspaper collection more relevant, while a user following current national or international issues may begin with a contemporary news source. Researchers should consider the publication date and type of source when using newspaper material for school assignments, historical research, or personal projects.

Family and Biography Research

HeritageHub provides another specialized research option through the library. It allows users to explore family history through U.S. obituaries and funeral notices covering records from 1704 through the present. Gale in Context: Biography can support research focused on individual people.

Users doing family-history research should distinguish between biographical reference sources and obituary or funeral-notice collections. They may overlap in subject matter, but they are designed for different types of research and may contain different information.

Learning and Skill Development

Many San Bernardino County Library digital services are designed for learning rather than traditional reference research. These include language instruction, digital literacy training, professional courses, educational exercises, tutoring, and academic preparation.

Languages and Digital Skills

Mango provides instruction intended to prepare learners for realistic conversations and communication in more than 70 world languages. Users interested in improving computer skills can turn to Northstar Digital Literacy, which defines basic skills needed for common computer and online tasks.

LinkedIn Learning provides thousands of online courses taught by industry experts and covering in-demand skills. The library specifically directs users to begin LinkedIn Learning with a library card. Users following a database link should use the library's own access path rather than assuming that directly visiting the provider's general website will produce the same library-supported access.

EBSCO LearningExpress is another learning platform listed by the library, including resources for Spanish speakers. Users can also find educational support through Brainfuse HelpNow, which provides on-demand eLearning for different ages and learning levels.

Children's Learning Platforms

Several resources are intended specifically for children or families. ABCmouse includes interactive educational games designed around individual learning concepts. TeachingBooks provides resources connected with books and reading. Scholastic Teachables is another educational option listed by the library.

Footsteps2Brilliance provides bilingual educational resources and is described as device agnostic, with materials that can work without an Internet connection. This may be particularly relevant to families looking for bilingual reading and learning opportunities.

Subject-Specific Databases

Not every library database is a general research tool. Some are designed around practical subjects, so choosing the right database before searching can save time.

Vehicle Maintenance Information

Chilton Library provides detailed information for vehicle maintenance and repairs. Users researching an automotive problem should distinguish this resource from general article databases because Chilton is specifically presented as a vehicle maintenance and repair information service.

Health and Legal Materials

Gale Health and Wellness is available for health-related information, while LegalForms provides access to legal-form materials. These resources can help users locate published information and forms, but library materials should not be treated as individualized medical or legal advice.

When a task involves a particular form, health topic, or technical issue, users should select the specialized resource rather than entering broad keywords into several unrelated databases. This helps keep the research focused on the type of material the library has organized for that subject.

Library Events and Programs

The library events calendar provides a centralized way to locate scheduled programs. The calendar supports keyword searches and allows visitors to view events in list or month format.

Several filters can be used to narrow the calendar. Available filters include library location, age group, program or event type, city, day, and time. Changing a filter causes the event results to refresh, which is useful when the calendar contains many programs on the same date.

The calendar includes a wide range of activities. Examples shown for September 2026 include preschool storytimes, toddler and movement programs, adult crafts, book clubs, family game activities, computer and Internet classes, bilingual book and craft programs, reading events, Friends of the Library activities, and other branch programs.

Event Status and Scheduling

Users should read an event's current status before planning a visit. The calendar identifies some events as canceled, and a canceled program may remain visible as part of the day's schedule. A listing appearing on the calendar therefore does not automatically mean that the program is still taking place.

The specific branch, date, and time also matter because similar programs may be offered at different locations or on different days. Filtering by library or city can help prevent confusion when several branches offer programs with similar names.

Adult Literacy Services

The library's Adult Literacy Program provides one-on-one tutoring for adults who want to learn to read or improve their reading skills. Adult volunteer tutors are trained through the program and paired with adult learners.

The service is described as free and confidential. Tutoring focuses on literacy-based goals, improving reading skills, and helping learners build confidence. Because the program involves an ongoing tutoring commitment rather than a single class, prospective learners should review the participation requirements before contacting a literacy site.

Adult Learner Requirements

Adults interested in participating should meet the criteria stated by the library:

Speak basic English.
Be at least 17 years old.
Not be enrolled in school.
Read or write below a seventh-grade level.
Be willing to meet at the library for tutoring two hours each week for at least six months.

These requirements are significant because the program is designed for sustained one-on-one literacy instruction. A person who is currently enrolled in school or cannot make the required tutoring commitment should not assume that the Adult Literacy Program follows the same participation rules as an ordinary library class or drop-in event.

Volunteer Tutor Requirements

The Read to Learn Adult Literacy Program also accepts prospective reading coaches. Volunteer tutors must meet several requirements before being paired with a learner:

Be at least 18 years old.
Speak English well and have good reading skills.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Commit to meeting an adult learner in the library for two hours per week for at least six months.
Participate in tutor training and attend an orientation.
Sign and comply with San Bernardino County Library volunteer expectations and requirements.
Have an interest and willingness to teach basic literacy skills to an adult learner.
Have patience while working with a learner.

The time commitment applies to both sides of the tutoring relationship. Prospective volunteers should account for the weekly meetings and six-month minimum before completing the volunteer process.

Literacy Sites and Service Areas

The library identifies literacy program sites across the county. Each site may also serve nearby branch libraries, so the nearest participating literacy location may not have the same name as the community where the learner lives.

Adelanto Branch Library serves Adelanto.
Apple Valley Newton T. Bass Branch Library serves Apple Valley and Lucerne Valley.
Barstow Branch Library serves Barstow, Needles, and Trona.
Big Bear Lake Branch serves Big Bear Lake.
Chino Branch Library serves Chino.
Chino Hills Branch serves Chino Hills.
Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center serves Fontana, Bloomington, and Kaiser branches.
Grand Terrace Branch serves Grand Terrace.
Hesperia Branch Library serves Hesperia.
Highland Branch serves Highland and Grand Terrace branches.
Lake Arrowhead Branch serves Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Running Springs branches.
Loma Linda Branch serves Loma Linda.
Rialto Branch Library serves Rialto.
Twentynine Palms Branch Library serves Twentynine Palms.
Yucaipa Branch Library serves Yucaipa, Loma Linda, and Mentone branches.
Yucca Valley Branch serves Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree branches.

Because several literacy sites cover more than one branch or community, users should base their selection on the service areas published by the library rather than assuming every branch operates a separate literacy program.

Services by Age Group

The library separates some online content by age, which can help users reach material designed for an appropriate audience without sorting through the entire website.

Children Ages Six to Eleven

The Kids Zone is identified for children ages 6 through 11. Its navigation includes courses, an Info Zone, and games. Families looking for educational or interactive material for this age range can begin there instead of using the teen or adult sections.

Teen Services

The Teen section is intended for ages 12 through 17. It includes courses, research and resources, book lists, and information about volunteering with the library.

Students in this age range who are working on research projects may also use appropriate resources from the library's research database collection. For example, the main library site describes ProQuest as suitable for grades 6 and above and also offers Gale in Context: High School.

Adult Library Programs

The Adult section is identified for users age 18 and older. It includes courses, volunteer information, and Career Online High School. Adult learners interested specifically in basic reading improvement should distinguish these general adult services from the separate Adult Literacy Program, which has its own participation requirements.

Veterans Resource Centers

The library operates services for veterans and their families through its Veterans Resource Center program. Veterans Resource Centers are identified at the Lewis Library and Technology Center and the Twentynine Palms Branch Library.

The library's veterans page connects users with information involving advocacy and assistance, education, employment, healthcare, housing, and VA claims. It also points users toward government service providers, including San Bernardino County Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, California education and rehabilitation agencies, and other public programs.

For assistance outside the resource centers' normal operating hours, the library directs veterans to their County Veteran Service Office or CalVet. Users seeking a library-based veterans service should distinguish the Veterans Resource Centers from the broader government agencies listed on the page, since those organizations perform different functions.

Resource Center Hours

The Lewis Library and Technology Center Veterans Resource Center is listed as open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m.

The Twentynine Palms Branch Library Veterans Resource Center is listed as open Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors should pay attention to which Veterans Resource Center they intend to use because the published schedules differ.

Avoiding Common Library Mistakes

Several problems can be avoided by matching the service to the user's actual goal. A general research database is not necessarily the best place to search for vehicle repair instructions, historical California newspapers, literacy tutoring, or a local storytime. The library provides separate systems and sections for these purposes.

Users planning to attend an event should verify the specific branch, date, time, and event status. The event calendar includes canceled programs alongside active listings, so seeing a program name on a particular date is not enough to confirm that it will occur.

Adult Literacy Program applicants should review the age, school-enrollment, reading-level, language, and time-commitment requirements before treating the program as a general tutoring service. Volunteer tutors have a separate set of requirements that includes training, orientation, education, reading ability, and a minimum six-month commitment.

Digital resource users should enter services through the San Bernardino County Library website and follow the access instructions provided there. LinkedIn Learning, for example, specifically identifies library-card access. Users should not assume that every commercial-looking database or educational platform follows the same sign-in process.

Age-based pages should also be used according to their intended audience. The Kids Zone is for ages 6 through 11, the teen section covers ages 12 through 17, and the adult section is for ages 18 and older. These divisions help users locate courses, research materials, book information, volunteer opportunities, and other services appropriate to their age group.

Library Offices and Locations

San Bernardino County Library
268 W. Hospitality Lane, 3rd Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415
909.387.2220

Lewis Library and Technology Center
8437 Sierra Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
909.574.4560

Twentynine Palms Branch Library
6078 Adobe Road
760.367.6210

Library FAQs

Can I get a library card online?

California residents can register online for a digital San Bernardino County Library card and begin using eligible online databases and downloadable content immediately. A digital card does not allow checkout or holds for physical branch materials, and it cannot be used for public computers or printing inside a branch. To receive full borrowing privileges, take the digital card number, valid identification, and proof of your current address to a library branch. Existing standard cardholders do not need a separate digital card. Visit the official Library Account Services page to reach account and registration options.

Can I pay library fees online?

Yes. Fees can be paid by credit card through the online catalog after signing in with a library card number and PIN. The online payment option requires payment of the entire balance rather than a partial amount. Customers who need to make a partial payment or prefer another accepted payment method must handle the payment at a branch.

How long will the library keep my hold?

When a requested item becomes available, the library sends a notice by phone or email based on the account settings. Hold status can also be checked through the online catalog under the account's requests section. Delivery time varies because an item may be coming from another location or may already have a waiting list. After the item reaches the pickup branch, it is held for 14 business days.

Does every branch have free Wi-Fi and computers?

All San Bernardino County Library locations offer free Wi-Fi, and a library card is not required to connect to the wireless service. Using a library computer is different: customers need a library card and PIN. The official library locations page can be used to check branch locations and operating schedules before visiting.

Can I reserve a study room ahead of time?

Some branches have study rooms, but they cannot be reserved in advance. Rooms are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are guaranteed for one hour. A customer may continue using the room after that hour when nobody else is waiting for it, so availability can change throughout the day.