Pandemic Progress: Montecito Library Increases Hours and Services

Montecito Library will be open four days a week starting June 1. This date marks our biggest reopening level in over a year. 

Our new hours will be:

• Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 2-5 pm
• Thursday 10 am – 4 pm

Along with new hours will be a 30-minute per day maximum and new building capacity limits. The Community Hall will be available as a reading area where people can sit, spread out, charge up their devices, and access our public Wi-Fi. We will also have two public computers, a printer, and a copier. 

Our four newspaper subscriptions are set to resume as well. Hooray!

Feel free to call if you have questions. This is new for us, and we expect to adapt and evolve over time, under the direction of Library Administration.

Don that Mask, Though

The most important thing to know is that masks are still required for all patrons with the exception of individuals under the age of two — this is the standard at all public library locations. Many library users remain ineligible for vaccines and, much like schools, libraries need to safely provide services to everyone.

If you just don’t want to put a mask on, we can explain procedures for digital or homebound services over the phone so that you are able to access materials without having to come in. Please call us if you would like to learn more at 805-969-5063.

Summer Reading Program

What do library and school staff have in common? We all look forward to summer! Summertime is when public libraries kick into overdrive, getting to interact with some of our most delightful patrons — children and teens. 

For kids up to five years old, we have our “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” program, encouraging quality time together to build the joy and love of reading for our youngest patrons.

For school-aged kids and teens, we have two programs tailored for each age group which include choosing a free book just for getting started. This year, Youth Services staff heard loud and clear that many families and educators were sick of so much time online.

In response, we are offering a summer program rich in outdoor experiences, including our “Build a Bug Hotel” garden program outside the Montecito Library on June 18 at 2 pm for kids six to 106 years old. Supplies are provided and space is limited so register soon before it fills up. 

We will also have a brand-new Library on the Go outreach van and Storywalks at parks around town so check the library calendar for details. Visit SBPLibrary.org for more.

Black Gold Resource Sharing Resumes

It is with great excitement that I announce news that Black Gold will start sharing materials again starting on July 1. For seasoned library users who have been missing this service since the pandemic paused it in March 2020, I am so happy to share this news.

I should also probably explain that our library is part of a consortium that shares library materials with all of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties’ libraries (and even Blanchard Library in Santa Paula), greatly expanding access to books, audiobooks, and movies. For avid users of our physical collections, this is a huge step back to normal.

On that chipper note, I’ll wish you the best summer yet and happy reading.

See you at the library!