15 Nov Celebrating Community, History, and 50 Years of the Eastside Library
The Eastside Library has been a hub for sharing resources and community building for half a century. To commemorate this milestone, the Santa Barbara Public Library hosted a special 50th birthday celebration in September, featuring activities like Lotería, mariachi performances, crafts, and food, allowing patrons to savor both the rich history and the bright future being created today. The event also paid tribute to Elvira Gomez de Tafoya, a dedicated volunteer and supporter of the Eastside Library who left a lasting legacy before her passing in late 2022.
The Eastside Library has a history of serving as a community center for the Eastside neighborhood. Over the years, it has provided a gathering place and programming space for the predominantly Latinx, Hispanic, and Black communities. From lowrider car shows to poetry workshops, dance classes, and photography exhibits, the Eastside Library has been a source of cultural enrichment and education.
Last fall, the UC Santa Barbara Library Special Research Collections embarked on an outreach mission to preserve the recent history of the neighborhood. The UCSB Library and Santa Barbara Public Library joined forces to bring a captivating local history showcase to Santa Barbara’s Eastside and surrounding communities. Families from various neighborhoods came together to contribute their photos and videos during a free scanning and copying event and their cherished memories were then showcased and made available to the public. Learn more about the rich community history of the Eastside Library in this video on the History of the Eastside Library here.
In early 2020, the Eastside Library underwent renovation, transforming into a dynamic community hub. It now offers a wide range of services, including early literacy classes, job and career support, language conversation groups, computer and internet classes, tech coaching, book clubs, activities for teens, and educational events for all ages. The Library’s curated collection and access to Central Library’s resources further enhance its offerings. Take a virtual tour of the Eastside Library by watching this video here.
Libraries like the Eastside Branch are more vital than ever, serving as hubs for learning, literacy, and community building. They provide spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can come together, share stories, and strengthen their connections. As we honor the past through the Santa Barbara Community Archives Showcase and the Eastside Library’s 50th-anniversary celebration, we exemplify the power of community and the preservation of cherished memories that make Santa Barbara a special place to call home. Listen to the beautiful stories of Eastside patrons here.
We especially would like to honor a significant contributor to our Santa Barbara community and Eastside Library, Sojourner Kincaid Rolle. She will forever be remembered as an extraordinary beacon in the Santa Barbara community whose truth, passion, and radiance enriched us all. Scroll to 17:17- 17:47 on the video to learn more about her poetic influence on the Eastside Library.
The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation is here to support the long-term health and sustainability of our beloved Library through ongoing public-private partnerships. 🤝 Join us in preserving this vital resource for future generations. Together, we can ensure this community gem continues to thrive for another 50 years and beyond!
