SBPLibrary
Source: Santa Barbara Public Library
Santa Barbara Public Library is kicking off a major construction project! Beginning July 11, 2022, construction begins on 3 projects at Central Library: Library Plaza renovation, a new ADA-compliant elevator, and a lower level staff area renovation.
These projects will expand programming space, ensure the Library is safe and accessible, and build a more efficient and modern staff work space. During construction, in order to ensure the safety of staff and the public, there will be reduced access and changes to operations at Central Library in two phases. SBPL’s goal is to maximize access and services to the community during this time, while ensuring the safety of Library staff and members of the public during construction.
Hours of operation at Eastside Library will be increased, and all Library Services will be available at that location as well as Montecito Library.
Eastside Library will expand hours to:
- Monday 10 AM – 5 PM
- Tuesday 10 AM – 5 PM
- Wednesday 10 AM – 5 PM
- Thursday 10 AM – 6 PM
- Friday 10 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
The Library on the Go outreach van will be increasing its schedule of public stops for materials checkout and programming during closure dates and times of reduced operations at Central Library.
Youth Programs will return to local parks. Visit the Library’s Events Calendar for details and locations.
SBPL Works! appointments will be available Tuesday through Saturday, 2 PM to 5 PM at the Eastside Library.
In order to prepare for construction to begin, Central Library will be closed Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9.
Phase 1 of modified operations begin July 12. These are expected to continue through July 28.
During Phase 1, the entire Library will be inaccessible to the public and Library staff will have limited access to many areas of the Library. Similar to Sidewalk Service during the pandemic, patrons will be able to check out reserved material by presenting their ID or Library Card to staff in the Lobby, who will retrieve their holds, check them out, and deliver them.
What’s available in Phase 1?
- Holds pickup in Lobby
- Lunch at the Library
- Faulkner Gallery
- Restrooms
What’s not available in Phase 1?
- Access to Main Level
- Access to Children’s Library
- Access to Upper Level
- Public computer use
- Printing
- Study and Workspace
Click here to read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Haven’t been in the actual library in several years. Can anyone tell me the current homeless/bum situation in and around the building?
P.S. – I used to enjoy sitting in the reading room looking at various periodicals and out-of-town newspapers. Those halcyon days are long gone for me.
The bums are everywhere.
Those days are still gone for all of us. But perhaps they can be brought back. I used to do my junior high school projects there and it was the place to be to do my “7th grade research”. For some reason the Library has turned into a homeless shelter, and that is making the education of our kids and populace in general that much harder. If the Library is going to go through this big taxpayer-finder project, who is ready to commit to defending it? … because that’s what it will take. Otherwise, keep pouring money into it and the homeless, “non-homed”?, vagrants, call them what you want – will displace all who it was intended for.