FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MODOC COUNTY LIBRARY & MODOC COUNTY
How old is the Modoc County Library?
The first library in the area opened in 1906 as the Women’s Improvement Club Reading Room. Modoc County Free Library—established in Alturas by Modoc County Board of Supervisors decree on July 15, 1915. It celebrated the 100th anniversary on May 18, 2016.
How is the library funded?
Budgetary issues in 1988 compelled the creation of a special (Mello-Roos) tax district to support the library. Via a ballot measure, citizens voted to tax themselves $18 a year per individual property owner for a special assessment to fund the county library.
How is the library governed?
The County Library is governed by the Modoc County Board of Supervisors. The 1988 ballot measure created a Library Advisory Board made up of BOS-appointed representatives from the five supervisorial districts, a representative appointed by the Alturas City Council and a representative appointed by the Friends of the Library nonprofit organization. A member of the BOS attends the LAB meetings ex-officio.
What is the mission of the library?
"Open to all, the Modoc County Library is dedicated to building a thriving, educated, and enlightened community through literacy and lifelong learning." The county library vigorously supports an open and inclusive environment.
Does the library have any branches?
The Main Library is located at 212 W. Third St. in Alturas. There are small branches located in the outlying towns of Adin, Cedarville and Lookout.
Modoc is a rural county. Does the library have internet for its patrons?
The Main Library and the outlying branches have public access computers, as well as free Wifi.
How has COVID affected library operations?
Except for a short time at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, the library has continued to provide services to patrons. Almost immediately, staff was able to create a curbside pickup program for checking out materials. The library is currently open for patrons, and follows statewide mandates regarding safety precautions.
What kind of community is Modoc County?
Located in the rural northeastern corner of California, bordering Nevada and Oregon, Modoc County has a a population of 8,923 (as of 2021) within an area of 4,200 square miles, the population density in the region is extremely low with only 2.25 people per square mile. Agriculture and tourism are the economic mainstays for Modoc County. Nearby attractions include the Modoc Wildlife Refuge, the Modoc National Forest, the Lava Beds Monument, Burney Falls and Lassen National Park. An hour away, Hat Creek is a famous fly-fishing location.
What was the Library's income for Fiscal Year 2020/2021?
$286,649. Additionally, the Friends of the Modoc County Library contributed $5,000 for the purchase of new popular books, and the Library received an $8,000 grant from the California State Library for the Zip Books program.
How many patrons use the library each year?
According to the latest report filed with the California State Library, there are 6577 patrons, approximately 8,000 patron visits, and 20,246 materials were checked out.
How many books are in the library’s collection?
There are 66,759 books, 2181 audio materials, and 4590 DVD and Video materials in the Library's collection.