16 May LOTG Happy Hour
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 for the whole family. Although this day was during a heat spell, the setting sun, perfectly placed umbrellas, and the one-of-a-kind Lotería game were the perfect combination of distractions. Hand painted by a SBCC student, the Lotería cards featured local landmarks and locations that are unique to Santa Barbara. This clever hometown twist brought extra excitement to the tables.
Once the cards were handed out, the playful chatter turned to focused silence, determined to win their own Poppy tote bag and other Library merchandise. Even when the microphone gave out, librarian Catalina stole the show. She enthusiastically projected her voice and gestured her hands, keeping everyone laughing and fully engaged. Meanwhile, our vintage typewriters, who were dressed as 1960’s secretaries, invited guests to type and send postcards to the president. Within all the Library fun, this served as a powerful reminder for local advocacy and how the Library needs community support now more than ever.
The celebration didn’t stop there! Guests also showed their support by signing up for Library cards and purchasing books for the LOTG Van. Each book purchase included a special LOTG sticker, allowing the donor to write their name and place it inside the book of their choice. Donors thoughtfully scanned the shelves to discover a book that resonated with them, carefully placing their personalized sticker on the inside cover. This was a wonderful way to near the end of National Library week and we want to thank everyone who showed up and made this event possible.
Posted by SBPLF Intern Briana Ibarra-
Briana is a fourth-year student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, majoring in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing on the Civic Engagement track. She hopes to apply her communication and writing skills to a career in marketing or public relations after graduation.
