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What’s Happening

17 Dec

Posted at 00:42h in What's Happening

This past September, the Santa Barbara Public Library introduced new library cards! Library cards are the key to a world of possibilities in addition to a plethora of inspiring stories to discover. From the California State Parks Pass to accessible film & tv platforms to 3D printing, there is no shortage of life enriching opportunities and access that the public library provides. Each of the new cards highlights artwork by local Santa Barbara artists as well as the neighborhoods championed by the SBPL branches. As released by the Santa Barbara Public Library, the new additions to the family are the

17 Dec

Posted at 00:42h in What's Happening

This past August, the M Club joined the Santa Barbara Public Library for a wonderful event and tour. Guests enjoyed coffee and snacks alongside an awe-inspiring presentation by Jace Turner. We were guided through the history of the Library, heartfelt stories from patrons, the renovations made possible through donor support, and the many services the Library provides to the community. The tour included stops at the 3D printing technology lab, tech support area, mural of repurposed novels, book club–ready book bags, and more. This impactful event underscored the importance of reflection and of appreciating the “small” things—which truly aren’t small at all—while

17 Oct

Posted at 00:24h in What's Happening

In September, we kicked off National Library Card Sign-up Month with a special celebration at Brass Bear Uptown! Community members of all ages joined us for an evening of books, conversation, and the unveiling of our brand-new Santa Barbara Public Library cards featuring artwork by talented local artists. Guests explored a variety of books for every age and interest, discovered upcoming library events, and stopped by to connect with Library staff. The highlight of the evening was sharing the joy and creativity behind the new card designs—each one a reflection of the vibrant community we serve. National Library Card Sign-up Month is

15 Oct

Posted at 22:26h in What's Happening

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the James M. Cox Foundation, the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation is excited to spread the word of The Santa Barbara Public Library’s second Library on the Go 2.0! This mobile library expands accessibility to library services in our communities. The Library seeks to knock down barriers to library access, and with an additional outfitted mobile library the SBPL will be able to reach more readers and neighbors. These mobile libraries are supported with computers, Wi-Fi, printers, and a plethora of educational tools and technological trinkets. Learn more about this meaningful development here, as reported

15 Oct

Posted at 18:58h in What's Happening

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, families from across Santa Barbara gathered at the Central Library to celebrate a very special milestone—the 10th birthday of the Children’s Library! Since opening its doors in 2015, the Children’s Library has blossomed into a vibrant hub for young readers, growing from serving just 3,700 children annually to welcoming more than 39,000 each year. The birthday bash was a joyful reminder of just how far this space has come in fostering a love of reading and learning. The morning was filled with face painting, crafts, games, birthday treats, and fun surprises. Families received special commemorative

15 Oct

Posted at 18:54h in What's Happening

Santa Barbara Public Library recently hosted a special event, AI for Everyone: Explore, Create & Discover What’s Possible with Artificial Intelligence, led by Jim Sterne, Mike Wald, and Mark Sylvester. Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a part of everyday life. This program introduced community members to this fast-growing technology, sharing key points on utilizing prompts within Chat GPT. At the AI for Everyone Event, the speakers shared insights into what’s possible with today’s tools, from sparking creativity to boosting productivity, while also opening the conversation to what a thoughtful, responsible future with AI might look like. The introduction and evolution of artificial

14 Oct

Posted at 17:28h in What's Happening

For the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation, every cent counts toward the long-term sustainability of the Library. That’s why programs like Lazy Acres’ Envirotokens are so important—they provide 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. When you shop at Lazy Acres and bring your own reusable bags, you receive a 10¢ Envirotoken per bag. You can then “pay it forward” to one of six local nonprofits focused on K–12 education, hunger relief, and environmental stewardship. Each month, Lazy Acres tallies the Envirotokens donated,

14 Oct

Posted at 17:19h in What's Happening

With the heartfelt goal of updating our beloved and “well-loved” Children's Library, the Foundation recently hosted an intimate evening titled Libraries for the Next Generation. Held in a stunning mission-style home just down the street from the Library itself, the event brought together over 90 local supporters, advocates, and lovers of the Library. They arrived in their finest “Santa Barbara Cocktail” attire, enthusiastic to support a space that helps local children learn, grow, and feel safe.  The evening began with an interactive entry experience: guests selected notecards from a canvas covered in envelopes, each revealing a unique fact about the Library. From

16 May

Posted at 00:43h in What's Happening

Thanks to the voters in the City of Santa Barbara, Measure I will be active as of April 1, 2025. Introduced by the city council, this measure is designed to support Santa Barbara’s essential local services. Funds collected under Measure I will be allocated based on the most pressing needs, as determined by the council’s collective priorities list. This includes affordable housing programs, maintaining 911 emergency response, keeping public spaces clean, and, of course, supporting Library services. To generate these essential funds, the city council has implemented a small, one-half percent increase in sales tax, estimated to raise $15.6 million annually.

16 May

Posted at 00:04h in What's Happening

On the warm evening of April 10th, community members of all ages gathered at the Shalhoob's outdoor patio in the Funk Zone to keep the National Library week celebrations going! The Library on the Go (LOTG) Van tied the space together beautifully, surrounding the space with book carts and the welcoming smiles of our incredible librarians. As everyone trickled into Shalhoob's, greeted by hugs, laughter, and the scent of sizzling barbecue, it quickly became clear that this event was going to be something special. Attendees enjoyed a vast menu, from tri-tip sandwiches to pulled pork buns, paired with refreshing beverages fit