Who We Are
The Friends of the Library is the non-profit support group of the library dedicated to the growth and development of the Santa Barbara Public Library ensuring free access to information and resources to all members of the community. The Friends raise funds for materials, programs and services that would otherwise not be provided.
The Friends endeavor to preserve and strengthen the importance of our Library in this community as a vital, irreplaceable source of information, education and culture—thereby providing everyone with opportunities and resources for lifelong learning.
Become a Friend
There has never been a more important time to become a Friend of the Santa Barbara Public Library. The demand for access to books and computers, educational opportunities for lifelong learning, public meeting rooms and galleries, is continuing to rise. From toddlers to teens, new immigrants to entrepreneurs, people are flocking to their libraries.
As a Friend, you’ll help provide additional funds for direct financial and program support. Membership begins at just $35, although we hope you will consider a larger contribution. There are also other ways to support the library, including one time and recurring donations, planned giving, and gifts to the endowment fund.
Get Involved
Library funding rarely keeps pace with the changing information and resource needs of our community. Please let local officials know that the Public Library is one of the most important institutions in our area. Learn more about becoming an advocate for the library here, and find contact information for the Board of Supervisors and the Santa Barbara City Council. Let them know that you care about the Santa Barbara Public Library.
There are many other ways to support the library, including volunteer opportunities with the Friends of the Santa Barbara Public Library, such as helping with special events.
Summer Reading Program Kick Off Events Begin June 6th!
This year’s summer reading program at all Library branches begins on Friday, June 6!
The kick off for the Summer Reading Program for kids will happen at the Library Plaza on Sunday, June 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The theme will be “Treasured Tales.” Kids can sign up for the program, pick out a free book to keep, and celebrate the start of summer. The library staff has daily conversations with young readers about what they’ve been reading throughout the summer. Children collect beads for every reading conversation, which builds their narrative storytelling skills and increases their engagement with other readers. There is great excitement as children string up their beads!
Adults can kick off their summer of reading with Santa Barbara Public Library at Fox Wine Co. in the Funk Zone on June 6th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.!
Teens can celebrate the start of Summer with SBPL and Lighthouse Skate Shop on June 13th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. !
A new addition to the Summer Reading Program will be an ice cream social alongside a kids’ art show. That fun event will happen on August 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on the Library Plaza. The Friends are sponsoring the Mister Softee truck.
Help Support the Summer Programs of the Santa Barbara Public Library with a gift of $25 (book prizes), $50 (10 arts/crafts kits), $200 (materials) , $300 (summer camp experience), or any other amount.
Kerry Methner and Mark Whitehurst of Voice Magazine are graciously allowing the Friends of the Library to sell gently used books in front of the Voice Gallery in La Cumbre Plaza. The selection includes books for all ages. We even have a cute bunny displaying children’s books for sale!
Did you know that your Santa Barbara Public Library card provides free digital access for downloads and streaming services of ebooks, audio books,comics, music, movies, and television with Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby/Overdrive? Learn more about downloads and streaming 
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Santa Barbara’s Central Library the Friends of the Library have published Library Book: Writers on Libraries, an anthology of prose and poetry about the glory of libraries. Over 80 writers are represented, including Ray Bradbury, Fannie Flagg, Sue Grafton, Pico Iyer, Leon Litwack, and all the living Santa Barbara poets laureate. Writers who were raised in Santa Barbara, such as Gretel Ehrlich, Hilary Dole Klein, and D. J. Palladino are included as well as former Santa Barbarans, such as John Daniel, Jeff Greenwald, and Gayle Lynds.
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