The mission of the Santa Barbara Public Library System is to provide information services, reading materials and educational resources to residents of all ages from the Santa Ynez Valley to Carpinteria.

Description:
The Santa Barbara Public Library System serves the community from Ventura County border through the Santa Ynez Valley, including the communities of Carpinteria, Montecito, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Solvang, Los Olivos, and Santa Ynez.

The Library's Adult Literacy Program provides free, confidential, one-on-one tutoring for adults who want help with basic skills including reading, writing, and math. All tutors are trained volunteers.

The Library System also uses volunteers in many other capacities, including the Summer Reading Program for youth, the Volunteen program, and with various regular functions and special events at the library.

History:
Miss Sara Plummer established Santa Barbara's first library on State Street in 1870. After Miss Plummer married, the library was sold to the Odd Fellows who moved it to their lodge at State and Haley Streets. The library finally became public and free when the Odd Fellows donated their collection of about 2,000 volumes to the City after the enactment of the California Municipal Library Law by the State Legislature in 1880.

In 1882, the City Council established, by ordinance, the first Library Board of Trustees. When the 1967 City Charter was adopted, the duties of the Board were expanded and its name changed to the Library Board.

Contact people:

Beverly Schwartzberg, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Ellen Cunningham, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email) Janice Rorick, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

PO Box 1019, 40 E. Anapamu St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Directions:

The Central Library is located at 40 E. Anapamu St., at the corner of Anacapa and Anapamu Sts. in downtown Santa Barbara. We also have branch libraries where volunteers serve or tutor, including the Eastside Library at 1102 E. Montecito. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: All buses stop at Transit Center; also lines 1, 2, and others stop on the same block as Central Library, 5 minute walk