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Become A Library Advocate Today

Library advocacy ensures the public library has the means necessary to serve as a vital community resource. Consistent advocacy with stakeholders means being top of mind when important decisions are being made.

Now is the moment to build on this momentum. Across the nation, libraries are under pressure—but here in Santa Barbara, we can ensure ours remain strong. As advocates, we are called to protect this cornerstone of democracy and expand its reach for future generations. Take Action Today!

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Literacy Is in Crisis

28% of California adults cannot read, and 53% of Santa Barbara youth are not reading at grade level. Low literacy harms the workforce, slows economic growth, and weakens community well-being.

Critical Services at Risk

The Library is the only free literacy resource for all ages. But state and federal grants are disappearing. Without donor support, essential programs—tutoring, ESL groups, digital literacy, citizenship support, and early learning—are at risk.

Community Impact Depends on Us

Library programs change lives across generations. Adults gain skills and confidence, children succeed in school, and families thrive. With 175 learners per year and a waitlist of 100, every gift helps sustain life-changing literacy services.

Check Out Our Advocacy Toolkit

The Advocacy and Public Policy Committee of the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation is to support the Foundation’s advocacy and public policy efforts on behalf of the Library by collaborating on the continued value, relevancy, and needs of the Library, and to advocate for the resources required to build and sustain a world-class Library system that is dedicated to supporting education for all ages. In 2025, we developed an Advocacy Toolkit to offer resources to support for our community advocates.

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