Looking for a place where you can gaze at the stars, build an animatronic robot, blast off into space, explore nature or even earn a free book—all in the same library system?
The San Bernardino County Library encourages residents to discover why today’s libraries are so much more than shelves of books. With 32 unique branches spread across the county, every visit offers a new adventure waiting to be explored.
Whether you’re escaping the summer heat, spending time with family or looking for your next hands-on learning experience, your local library is one of the coolest destinations in town.
Explore something extraordinary
At the Lucerne Valley Janice Horst Branch, visitors can look beyond the horizon at one of the nation’s first public library observatories. Featuring a motorized ScopeDome observatory and professional-grade telescopes, the branch hosts public stargazing events throughout the year where families can marvel at the moon, planets and distant galaxies.
Creativity comes to life at the Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center, home to the nation’s first Animaker Space in a public library. Developed in partnership with Garner Holt Productions, this innovative space invites teens and adults to design, build and invent using 3D printers, laser cutters, sound recording equipment and animatronics programming stations.
Future astronauts can launch their imaginations at the Chino Hills James S. Thalman Branch, where a NASA-inspired children’s area features a life-sized space capsule, mission-control stations and interactive STEM exhibits that transform young visitors into explorers.
For those who prefer trails to telescopes, the Highland Sam J. Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center blends traditional library services with nature-based programs that inspire curiosity about the environment and the world around us.
And because kindness deserves celebrating, several branches feature Good Deeds Library Book Vending Machines, where children who demonstrate positive behavior during library programs earn tokens to select and keep a brand-new book—turning acts of kindness into lifelong reading habits.
Adventures beyond the building
The excitement doesn’t end when you leave the library.
Library cardholders can also:
- Borrow a California State Library Parks Pass for free day-use admission to more than 200 participating state parks.
- Check out a San Bernardino County Museum Pass for complimentary admission to the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands or the Victor Valley Museum in Apple Valley.
- Discover regional voices through Writer’s Nook, a digital collection showcasing works by San Bernardino County authors and celebrating the literary talent found throughout the county.
- Explore your family history through HeritageHub®, an online genealogy resource featuring historical newspapers, obituaries, census records, military records, city directories, and other valuable historical documents.
- Earn an accredited high school diploma through Career Online High School, a program that has already helped more than 260 county residents achieve this important milestone.
- Join 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, encouraging families to build early literacy one story at a time.
Start exploring
From observatories and Animaker Spaces to museums, parks, career training and unforgettable family events, the County Library offers experiences that surprise, inspire and connect people of all ages.
This year, as you explore county services, make your local library one of your first stops. You might come for a book—but you’ll leave with a whole new adventure.
For more information about the San Bernardino County Library system, visit library.sbcounty.gov, call 909-387-2220 or follow us on Facebook or Instagram. The San Bernardino County Library system is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries serving a diverse population across a vast geographic area. The County Library is committed to providing equitable access to information, technology, programs and services for all San Bernardino
Additional County Update News – August 20, 2026
- Board Actions, Aug. 18
- Ayala Park celebrates new improvements with ribbon cutting during National Night Out
- Behind the Ready: Keeping communities informed and equipped
- County launches environmental justice ordinance effort with Bloomington presentation
- Care and Connect Safety Expo brings autism community together with first responders in Fontana
- CARE Act program helps residents build stability and independence
- Applications for free children’s summer nutrition program due Aug. 31
- Children and Family Services Parent Partners turn lived experience into hope for families
- County Library celebrates 40 Career Online High School graduates
- New rental brings fresh overnight experience to Yucaipa Regional Park
- Animal Care is seeking short-term foster families to support upcoming Wings of Rescue flight
- SBC Through Your Eyes: Joshua Tree National Park
- Submit your photos and videos of the county’s destinations, nature and cityscapes
- San Bernardino County history: Ontario Motor Speedway
- Things to do in San Bernardino County
- Pet of the Week: Vint