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What’s Happening

25 Dec

Posted at 02:49h in What's Happening

We did it! Thank YOU for making Plaza Palooza a remarkable success. The event showcased the strength of our community, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support, dedication, and enthusiasm you brought to this journey. You stood by the Santa Barbara Public Library and Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation through every step, sharing in our vision and helping to make it a reality. Your commitment to the Michael Towbes Library Plaza has done more than transform a physical space; it has created new opportunities for connection, learning, and celebration within Santa Barbara. This accomplishment is a testament to your dedication and shared vision. The

26 Sep

Posted at 23:00h in What's Happening

Santa Barbara, CA — On Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, from 10 am – 2 pm, volunteers from the League of Women Voters and Library support groups were present at Santa Barbara’s Central Library to engage with the community and provide essential voter information for National Voter Registration Day. This initiative aimed to educate local voters ahead of the upcoming Presidential Election in November 2024. Volunteers offered detailed information about the Candidate Forums organized by the League, which feature candidates for races in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Goleta. As well as their upcoming webinar discussion of “Pros and Cons” for the state

12 Aug

Posted at 15:30h in What's Happening

The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation is announcing their newest 2024-2025 Board members, Paloma Arnold and Brooke McDermott. The 2024-2025 officers include new Board President Anna Alldredge, Vice President Raissa Smorol, Secretary Peter Ginsberg, and Treasurer Brooke McDermott.   Paloma Arnold, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President of Student Affairs at Santa Barbara City College, brings nearly 25 years of experience in higher education. With a deep commitment to students and community, she champions the mission of California Community Colleges, focusing on equity and access. A third-generation Santa Barbaran and alumna of Santa Barbara High School, Arnold has served on several local boards, including Riviera

12 Aug

Posted at 15:28h in What's Happening

For many, June 16th comes and goes like any other day. For classic literary enthusiasts, however, it symbolizes one of the most remarkable books of the early 20th century. 120 years ago, James Joyce’s “Ulysses” chronicles the adventures of Irishman Leopold Bloom as he navigates Dublin in a single day—June 16th, 1904. With the novel's raging success, June 16th became Bloomsday, a commemoration and celebration of Joyce. Santa Barbara's annual Bloomsday event consists of live spoken-word readings from "Ulysses" and other Joyce works performed by our thespians and literary lovers. Local authors James Buckley Jr. and DJ Palladino, host the Bloomsday

12 Aug

Posted at 14:00h in What's Happening

For the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation, every cent counts towards the long-term sustainability of the Library. That's why programs like Lazy Acre's Envirotokens are important to a steady stream of donations from Santa Barbara community members who don't even have to open their checkbooks! Lazy Acres incentivizes sustainability through this program. To participate, when you shop at Lazy Acres and bring your own reusable bags, they give you a 10¢ Envirotoken per bag. You can then pay it forward to one of six local nonprofits with a focus in K-12 education efforts, hunger relief, and environmental stewardship. Every month, Lazy Acres

24 Jul

Posted at 22:18h in What's Happening

We are thrilled to share an exciting update with you regarding our ongoing efforts to enhance the Santa Barbara Public Library Plaza. The Lower Plaza named the Marjorie Reeds McNeely Courtyard, is nearing completion and will be the first space to be accessed by the public until the entire project is complete. The Marjorie Reeds McNeely Courtyard will accommodate a wide range of activities, from educational workshops and book readings to cultural events and outdoor performances. The first program to kick-off use this summer is Lunch at the Library - feeding children and young adults every Monday - Friday, 12pm-1pm until

25 Jan

Posted at 22:40h in What's Happening

Did you know that the Santa Barbara Public Library is one of fifteen California local library systems (1,127 total public libraries in California) selected to receive first-ever funding from the State Library to support projects focused on sustainability, climate resilience, and community engagement for the 2023-2024 year? This State Library grant will fund a series of programs and classes, and in collaboration with local businesses, non-profits, and City departments. SBPL will engage the public in bilingual hands-on gardening programs, mending workshops, expand our Library of Things collection to include tools, household goods, host educational lectures on sustainable living topics, and more! Library

15 Nov

Posted at 22:35h in What's Happening

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

15 Nov

Posted at 22:24h in What's Happening

The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation has a temporary home at CoLab, a coworking space designed for nonprofits. The new office is in the La Cumbre Plaza in the space formerly occupied by Tiffany & Co. CoLab is launching with four nonprofit tenants in place—the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation, the Common Table Foundation, the Children’s Creative Project and the Arts Fund. CoLab is currently seeking two to three more nonprofits to share the space for the next year. CoLab is managed by CLAY, a nonprofit consultancy founded by Santa Barbara resident Jamie Dufek. Dufek also is the Chair of the board

15 Nov

Posted at 22:14h in What's Happening

Rita Boss, MLIS is a graduate of UCSB and worked with the Santa Barbara Public Library system while completing her Master's in Library and Information Science through SJSU. She also brings experience in non-profit fundraising, including management of the membership program at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and building donor relations at CommUnify. Rita says she is “endlessly inspired and impressed” by our Library professionals and looks forward to expanding support for their critical service to the community.