Goleta updates Library Funding and gets update on Writing the Next Chapter Campaign

GOLETA, Calif. (KEYT) As children earned tokens for the Claw Machine during the Summer Read-A-Palooza, the Goleta City Council had some reading to do.

The council agenda included library funding sources that needed updating and approval.

"Every year there is an assessment for the library, it is approximately $31 and every year we apply a cost of living, so we applied a 3.2 percent cost of living and that is money that goes to support the operation and maintenance of our library, so it is something we do every year," said Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet.

The other item the council considered was Development Impact Fees for numerous categories including libraries.

"When new houses are built in Goleta they pay a fee that goes to future libraries and so forth," said Nisbet.

City Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo presented an update on the Capitol campaign with the clever name.

It is called "Writing the Next Chapter."

The library is under construction thanks to grant funding reserved for infrastructure only, so it needs monety to improve and update the interior.

The campaign, that ends in December, has raised more than a million dollars.

"We are just at $1.12 million right now, we are seeking to raised $1.7 million, so it is just under $600,000, we are hearing from foundations and patrons every week," said Saucedo.

She expects to welcome readers back to the library on Fairview Ave. next summer.

"The interior design will ensure that when we open the doors next summer, when the project is complete and we welcome everyone in, it still feels like that cozy familiar cherished neighborhood, but it also feels like it is prepared for the modern needs of the modern library patron and it can support the next 50 years of what this library can offer to its community," said Saucedo.

Saucedo showed the council the art under consideration for a donor wall as well.

While the main library on Fairview Ave. gets an infrastructure upgrade, readers have been welcomed to use the temporary Goleta Valley Library Express location at 6500 Hollister Ave., Suite 105, steps away from the city council chambers.

Dorothy Chun, who lives by the Fairview location, has grown accustomed to riding her bike to the GVL Express.

"I am glad that we have something that we can come to because I borrow and return books all the time and I was just mentioning that the other one is closer to my home, but this is a great 4 mile bike for me, so I get 8 miles round trip," said Chun.

Children inside the express reading rooms are logging their books.

They are earning tokens, good for prizes including items from the Claw Machine and an entry into grand prize drawings following the 2 month reading program.

Isabel, 9, and Madilyn, 6 and 1/2, Becerra are enjoying it together.

"It was really fund reading the books that I chose out and I got a book "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," that my dad is holding," said Isabel.

"I like about reading that there is big words in it and also that I read five books everyday," said Madilyn.

Some parents said they can't wait for the main library to open up with a new kids section and computers.

One parents said she likes giving her kids books to touch and feel, rather going through apps for everything.

For more information visit, https://goletavalleylibrary.org/summer or https://www.goletavalleylibrary.org/about/gvl-capital-campaign-writing-the-next-chapter

Your News Channel will have more on the Goleta Valley Library tonight on the news.