News Room

Santa Barbara Reads is the Santa Barbara Public Library’s annual community read program. Generously funded by the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation and support from California Humanities, SB Reads 2020: Create! will investigate the creative process, and will feature the book Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, along with a small selection of other titles in English and Spanish. The goal of the program is to engage the community with local artists and writers to explore creativity and, as Gilbert suggests in her book, encourage embracing “a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear."

The Library’s buildings may not be open, but Santa Barbara Public Library has never truly closed.

Over the last six months, Library staff have creatively adapted in order to offer services during the COVID-19 pandemic. From mailing books during the stay at home order, generously funded by the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation, to continuing to offer Lunch at the Library in partnership with the Foodbank over the summer, the Library has continued to provide critical services.

The Library is a source of information for all, and dedicated to elevating the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color through our programming and collections. We’re also committed to interrogating our own systems, policies, and work as an institution.

We are ready to begin phasing in additional library services per local health public health officials' guidance.

Websites and resources related to COVID-19, including individual mental health and healthcare resources, and support for impacted workers, nonprofits, and businesses.