See Why Your Library Needs Your Help!

Libraries are Under Attack

All over the country libraries are facing numerous challenges, ranging from budget cuts and reduced funding to closures and threats to intellectual freedom. These attacks endanger the very essence of what libraries do: education for all ages, building a community of readers, empowering individuals with free access to information, and connecting people to community resources. Book challenges have doubled since 2020 and three states have left the American Library Association demanding censorship.

Literacy Rates are Declining

Schools in Santa Barbara rank 61st in the state in terms of reading proficiency scores, and over 65% of our third graders read below grade level. A child’s ability to read at grade level is a predictor of future academic success, high school graduation, gainful employment, and even risk of incarceration.

Funding is at Risk

The City of Santa Barbara is the main funding arm of the Santa Barbara Public Library, but approximately 15% of all funding to support the Library comes from private dollars and grants. In fact, the majority of Library programming offered is grant-funded and at risk. Even Library collections have faced significant cuts by $87,000 in Fiscal Year 2024 and $154,112 in Fiscal Year 2025. With the support of the community the Library Foundation successfully advocated to restore the Library budget to re-open seven days a week. While this was a big win, it is only a Band-Aid until 2025.