Project to help create new Orcutt Library receives $2 million in federal funding
ORCUTT, Calif. -- A long-standing project to help build a new Orcutt Library has received a significant financial boost from the federal government.
Congressman Salud Carbajal recently announced more than $16.6 million in direct federal funding for several Santa Barbara County community projects has been approved, including $2 million for the Orcutt Library.
"We are just beyond thrilled," said Carol Gregor, Friends of the Orcutt Library Vice President. "The need is so great here, and to think that the small community of Orcutt was awarded this amount of money to get us on the road to where we need to be."
According to the Friends of the Orcutt Library group, the facility is used by about 3,000 people each month, and added the current location in the Orcutt Union Plaza is too small to meet the demand for the growing unincorporated community, which is now listed in population over 31,000 residents.
"We enjoy this facility," said Friends of the Orcutt Library President Betty Rose Gunn. "It is less than 5,000 square feet, so as you can see and anyone who comes in, it is extremely cozy, which prohibits us from doing a lot of the programs that we would like to do connected with the community."
The group pointed out the 30-year-old Orcutt Community Plan specified a library should measure at least 20,000 square feet, so the current location is less than one-fourth in size of what is needed.
The funding will go towards either acquiring undeveloped property, and the construction of brand new facility, or towards the purchase and retrofitting of an existing building.
"We are currently renting, but it's not sustainable, the amount of rent, so we're looking to own a building that's bigger than this to retrofit, or purchase property and build it from scratch so we can have the square footage that we need, said Gregor. "We can reach out to our community, so that it can be more of a library/community center, and meet some of those needs that are not being met currently."
The Friends of the Orcutt Library said the current lease is $60,000 a year, but expires at the end of 2022 and is schedule to rise dramatically next year.
"We have been told that the lease amount will probably be twice that, so $120,000, so therefore, it's really put the push on us to find a permanent library," said Gunn.
The City of Santa Maria Public Library operates the Orcutt Branch Library under contract with the County of Santa Barbara.
“This is exciting news for the County, the Library, and patrons who visit the Orcutt Branch Library,” Santa Maria Library Director Dawn Jackson said. “Libraries provide a learning environment to foster joyful exploration, opportunities for community members to connect with others, and a host of resources to positively impact lives.”
According to Santa Barbara County District 4 Supervisor Bob Nelson, the project now has $5 million in funding secured, with $2 million having previously come from a community donation, and the remaining $1 million from other sources, including from the county.
Nelson said creating a new and improved library for Orcutt has been one of his highest priorities since taking office nearly two years ago.
“Funding for a permanent library and community center will greatly benefit the residents in and around Orcutt,” said Nelson. “It’s been a pleasure working with Congressman Carbajal throughout this process, and thanks to his advocacy, coupled with the work of library staff, supporters and residents, the largest unincorporated area in the County has made major strides in establishing an educational and constructive home for our families and youth.”
Nelson added he is hopeful there will an announcement regarding a new building location for the library or the purchase of property to construct one sometime in 2023.
