CityofSantaBarbara
By the City of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Public Library reached a construction milestone last week after several days of closure in January, February, and March for construction activities. Central Library’s main level now includes access to fiction, DVDs, and audiobooks on CDs for browsing. Nine computer workstations are now available for patron use on the main level, in addition to several on the upper level. Copying and printing are now also available on the main level.
“Most libraries would have closed indefinitely during a construction project of this scope and scale, but we are committed to remaining open to the fullest extent possible. Library staff have worked through the challenges presented by operating a library in an active construction zone with creativity and hard work. It has required a lot of flexibility and relocating critical operations multiple times. Still, we’re glad to serve the community and thankful that Public Works supported that goal,” said Library Director Jessica Cadiente.
During the disruption of services at Central Library for the last several months, SBPL has increased the amount of programming at Eastside Library and outreach initiatives in the community. Though Central Library is almost back to normal operations, SBPL has no plans to scale back on these additions to the schedule.
“We’ve found that while construction has been inconvenient, focusing on programming at Eastside Library and getting the Library on the Go van out to more locations has allowed us to bring library services to many people in our community for the first time,” said Cadiente.
Eastside Library’s early literacy classes are full to capacity most weeks. Hours for Community Connections assisting with social service navigation, SBPL Works! Appointments with jobseekers, English Conversation groups, and adult programs have all expanded. The Library on the Go can be seen around town at parks, schools, and senior housing an average of 10-12 times a week, in addition to special pop-up events. Central Library will always be the largest library facility most community members use. Still, the opportunity to expand services and target those who live in neighborhoods without a library facility or those who face barriers to accessing library services has been a welcome upside to the long-term construction project.
Central Library’s slate of programs has increased along with access to the building, as has traffic in the building. Central Library is bustling with activities, including weekly early literacy classes, activities for school-age kids, special events for teens, and lectures and learning opportunities for adults.
The Santa Barbara Public Library is a department of the City of Santa Barbara and is dedicated to supporting education for all ages through classes and events, building a community of readers, empowering individuals with free access to information, and connecting people to community resources. Find the full calendar of events and hours and locations on the Library’s website at SBPLibrary.org.
This is a strange press release. “Most libraries would have closed indefinitely”? No, most libraries would work around necessary infrastructure remodels just as here but “most libraries” would not have so many significant stuff being done so frequently. Patrons of the SB Library have been pushed around like markers on a Bingo card for years. That is why so many have joined the Goleta Library which seems to do just fine with its humble facility and willing staff.
494- I was there yesterday and the only change that was obvious was the lack of a staff desk (or staff) as one walked in, and the book shelves with “Holds”. I didn’t notice that the other side was open, as it was covered in brown paper. As for the children’s library, after being closed for almost 3 years (lots of reason, of course), the staff should hang their heads for restricting access so severely to a vulnerable population. So it costs a lot – that didn’t stop the previous library admin from having convenient computer center, access to the library on every floor, all the time, and internet access for more books thorough Black Gold. You have done a miserable job of service there for three long years.
The architecture for this library is not suited for today’s needs, but what can they do?! In older days when public libraries served a different purpose, they were built to be temples of the grandeur of life-long learning, but those days are gone. The Central Library did a beautiful job with the remodel of the Children’s area, which continues to offer the traditional library services that many of us grew up with. However the internet has radically changed the services asked of libraries serving adults, both young and old. Not only must the librarians cope with this change to offer the information and media services requested, but the Central Library is recognized as a safe environment by many homeless people. The Library, as a public entity, is obligated to allow everyone to be there (as long as they meet a certain set of behavioral and hygienic standards, which are posted). So there is a challenge to have spaces that are not conducive to ‘setting up camp’ for the day, but at the same time respect the fundamental rights of people to be there. It is a complex set of services the Library provides. If you have met the staff there, you have probably noticed that a high level of professionalism and knowledge is combined with kind and respectful courtesy. And it costs a lot to run such a place. They have my appreciation. If you feel as I do, you too can let your council members know, as well as contribute to The Friends of the Santa Barbara Library: https://friends-sblibrary.org/
The accompanying photo captures the philosophy of current leadership. No patrons; nice neat book shelves displaying a much depleted book collection. Cold and sterile. It’s more like a museum than a vibrant library. Shame this is allowed to continue.