Books moving out fast at popular tiny libraries on State Street

Tiny libraries inside art sculptures on State Street in Santa Barbara have just gone up and already they have small crowds peering in to each on.

You can’t miss them.

They are shaped like symbols including an ampersand, question mark, exclamation point, pound sign and percentage sign.

They are powder-coated steel and painted in bright colors including yellow, green, blue and red by artist Douglas Lochner. The project was reviewed by the city several times before the design and locations were established.

The project is commissioned by the city, the public library, Santa Barbara Beautiful, Downtown Santa Barbara, the Library Foundation, Santa Barbara Independent, and Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture.

People coming up to the books are often surprised at the availability. Questions have been asked about taking one.

A sign says the books are free and you can borrow a book, leave a book, and keep a book. It is written in English and Spanish.

The libraries are located between De la Guerra Street and Victoria.

They will be up until mid-October.

For more information go to: https://www.sbac.ca.gov/tinylibraries