Tag archives: library

Library Plaza to Honor Michael Towbes
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   April 29, 2021

At a hearing last week, the Santa Barbara City Council approved a proposal to name the soon-to-be revitalized library plaza at the Santa Barbara Public Library in honor of the late philanthropist, Michael Towbes.  The project to remodel the plaza, which is located between the library and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, has been […]

Book to Action
By Kim Crail   |   April 8, 2021

Santa Barbara Public Library is partnering with local organizations and leaders as part of the library’s Book to Action programming, designed to inspire the community to read and discuss a book around important themes, then take action to address community issues. This year’s featured title is The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom.   Winner […]

And… We’re Back!
By Kim Crail   |   April 8, 2021

As of March 24, Montecito Library has returned to its pre-pandemic staffing and we are overjoyed to be together again! It has been an entire year since the stay-at-home order resulted in the closure of Montecito’s charming and beloved library building. Like most, we had no idea that absolutely everything would change so drastically. Our […]

Welcome Back!
By Kim Crail   |   January 28, 2021

We now offer limited indoor browsing for our patrons, one household at a time. We will admit that staff were wary about this. We have been pleasantly surprised by how cooperative and respectful people have been with our new procedures. “Grab-n-Go” is offered Tuesdays from 2 pm to 5 pm and Thursdays from 10 am […]

Grab-n-Go Services Announced
By Kim Crail   |   December 10, 2020

Winter is coming! Santa Barbara Public Library is transitioning our sidewalk service indoors. Montecito Library will be allowing one household at a time to browse a curated selection of materials inside for 15 minutes.  Grab-n-Go in Montecito will be on Tuesdays from 2 pm to 5 pm, and Thursdays 10 am to 1 pm, starting […]

SB Reads: Create!
By Kim Crail   |   November 5, 2020

The Santa Barbara Public Library is excited to announce this fall’s Santa Barbara Reads program, SB Reads: Create! featuring Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert.  Free copies of Big Magic, in English and Spanish, will be available to pick up at Central Library’s Book […]

Keepin’ Tabs
By Kim Crail   |   November 5, 2020

Montecito Library staff have fulfilled more than 1,000 pickup requests for thousands of library materials since we resumed services (outdoors) in July. For our online catalog, please go to sbplibrary.org/catalog to place your requests. Staying Connected Keeping in touch has never felt more important. Library patron Linda was kind enough to share her story: “I […]

The Future of Montecito Library
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   September 10, 2020

Next Monday, September 14, the City of Carpinteria’s Ad Hoc Library Committee and Working Group will make a presentation to the Carpinteria City Council, which could impact funding and management options for both Carpinteria and Montecito libraries. In response to a Request for Qualifications for Library Consulting Services by the City of Carpinteria issued last […]

Let’s Dance
By Lynda Millner   |   August 20, 2020

The Santa Barbara Historical Museum is one of the cultural gems of our city with a collection of more than 80,000 irreplaceable objects and artifacts relating to Santa Barbara’s extraordinary past. For local history it’s a must. The museum complex was constructed in 1965 by the Santa Barbara Historical Society (now called Museum), which was […]

Pandemic Precipitates New Podcast
By Steven Libowitz   |   July 23, 2020

Speaking of stories, the Santa Barbara Public Library is launching its own virtual archive of aural adventures via a new podcast called Cover to Cover. Hosted by Norma Cervantes and Jace Turner – a library administrator and its Community Relations Librarian, respectively – the podcast is set to explore the spirit of Santa Barbara through […]

Picture This: Virtual Game Night
By Steven Libowitz   |   June 25, 2020

Virtual meetings continue to blossom at Santa Barbara Central Library, with a wide variety of programs for kids, families, and adults. Now there’s also Game Night, which is nothing new to the experienced online gamers or even those new to Zoom, but this one gives you a chance to compete against a lot of locals. […]

The Case for Hope
By Kim Crail   |   June 25, 2020

One of the many challenging parts of the library being closed to the public is not being able to have our monthly book discussions. With all of the turmoil people are facing these days, it would feel good to be face to face and get a chance to have civil discourse as well as comfort […]

Baby Steps
By Kim Crail   |   June 25, 2020

The burning question on everyone’s mind is, “When is the library going to open?” Currently, our book drops are open to accept returns on Mondays from 2:30-5:30 pm. We will be rolling out Sidewalk Service to check out holds at this location in early July. This service is currently available at the Central Library for […]

Picking a Winner
By Kim Crail   |   May 21, 2020

“What do you recommend? What should I read next?” At the library, it is easy to see what’s new and in demand, hear rave reviews or scathing critiques. I feel like I’m in the know, surrounded by booklovers. With this lengthy library closure, I thought it might be useful to share some “from home” tricks […]

Book It
By Steven Libowitz   |   April 16, 2020

Suzanne Cuddy has temporarily turned her Little Free Library – one of the charming stand-alone cabinets where people can take or leave books for personal use that have popped up all over town in recent years – into a Little Free Pantry. Folks stopping by location at 2124 Bath Street, close to Pueblo Street and […]

The Books Miss You!
By Kim Crail   |   April 16, 2020

In the absence of open hours and programs, our branch activity has come to a standstill. The Montecito Library has been closed to the public since March 13. That said, you can still access important library services including help with job search, applying for unemployment, answers to your reference questions, book delivery, digital services, and […]

Resources to Use While the Library is Closed
By Kim Crail   |   March 19, 2020

Montecito Library staff take the well being of our beloved community seriously. You are our people! For now, the Montecito Library is closed through April 5, encouraging social distancing and keeping spirits up. Here are some cheery photos taken recently at the library. We will miss seeing you. We are also passing along information that […]

Montecito Library Book Club
By Kim Crail   |   February 13, 2020

Our discussion of Normal People by Sally Rooney last Saturday had no shortage of topics to unpack. Attendee Chris noted how well the book “exemplified the complexities of relationships between young adults” and Pat Musarra noted that it was a good study of “the growth of the two main characters and how they matured” over […]

Native American Storytelling
By Kim Crail   |   February 13, 2020

Thursday, February 20 at 4 pm, we are hosting a presentation by Chumash and Tataviam Elder and proud California Native American Alan Salazar. Learn about traditional paddling of tomol (canoes) and more about tribal history and culture. Salazar has been a preschool teacher, juvenile institutions officer, Native American consultant/monitor, spiritual advisor and member of the […]

Library Learners: They’re just like us!
By Kim Crail   |   February 13, 2020

The library scene is thriving these days. Here are a few examples of the groups that are breezing through on a daily basis: Babies, toddlers, and school-age kids love the library, from rolling up (literally) in strollers to attending Preschool Storytime with their doting caregivers. The older kids stun us with their independence, hunger for […]