15 May Plaza Events
The excitement and liveliness of the Plaza Palooza grand opening on November 3rd was just the beginning. The Michael Towbes Library Plaza has quickly become a vibrant space for community engagement, and we’re thrilled to see it come to life with each event. Since the grand opening, events such as Raíces y Sueños for Hispanic Heritage Month and our annual Local Author Book Fair in December, all took place in the Plaza. This is what the Library is all about: bringing people together to celebrate culture, creativity, and our wonderful Santa Barbara community.
To celebrate Santa Barbara’s rich creativity and culture, the Library hosted the Mercado Raíces y Sueños market on November 9th, transforming the plaza into a lively showcase of art, tradition, and community. Colorful papel picado fluttered from the light posts and an arch of bright orange marigolds sat above the altar de ofrendas, covered in candles and skulls. Vibrant booths displayed handcrafted treasures, varying from crochet stuffed animals and jewelry to potted plants, embroidered bags, and clothing. while colorful papel picado fluttered from the light posts. Attendees also experienced hispanic culture through dance performances, a game of Lotería, bilingual story time, and creating their own flower crown! This is exactly what we imagined for the Michael Towbes Library Plaza.
To further celebrate Santa Barbara’s creativity, the Library closed out the year with the Local Author Book Festival on December 8th, themed “Books Make Great Gifts, Shop Local!” This festive event kicked off the holiday season perfectly, consisting of 40 different local authors selling and signing their books, perfect for thoughtful gifts or personal treasures. Book lovers, holiday shoppers, and curious readers filled the plaza, exploring titles across all genres, from Children’s Books and Young Adult to Adult Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry. Beyond book browsing, aspiring writers had the chance to connect with authors, gain valuable insights, and spark new inspiration.
This Spring Plaza fun continued when the Library Plaza hosted a vibrant Children’s Resource Fair, offering parents a one-stop opportunity to explore Santa Barbara’s wide range of educational resources for young learners. From infants to 12-year-olds, families discovered valuable information on childcare, preschool, TK registration, summer camps, enrichment programs, and family support services. In partnership with the Santa Barbara County Education Office and the Santa Barbara Child Care Planning Council, the event provided expert guidance to help families find the best fit for their children. Parents also enjoyed connecting with one another, having their questions answered, and participating in fun, family-friendly activities throughout the day.
We invite you to Check it Out next time you are downtown. Make the most of your Library visits by stopping by on Wednesdays. From 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM, the Considered Coffee Bus will be parked on the plaza, offering the perfect pairing: great coffee and great books. Sip on your favorite brew as you dive into a new book, or grab a “Little One’s Latte,” a smoothie, or some banana bread off the menu so the whole family can join in on the reading fun. There’s no better way to spend a morning than with a good book from the Library, a delicious drink, and the inviting atmosphere of the Santa Barbara Library Plaza.
Don’t worry, you haven’t missed all the Plaza fun! Make sure to check out the Library calendar for upcoming events in the Michael Towbes Plaza. We are excited to see you there!
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.
