With a Central library closure, the Library on the Go schedule is an option
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Construction issues at the Central Library has forced a full closure and a greater community outreach through the Library on the Go program.
The library is getting its air systems checked and it won't have results until next week.
On a stop at Shoreline Park, the van was surrounded by kids and adults, taking part in activities and looking at books to check out.
"We have been definitely utilizing our Library on the Go van and going to different parks," said Anthony Meza-Cordona with the City of Santa Barbara Library. "We also have a lot of people that live here, go on their morning walks, so we try to have an adult fiction cart and a non fiction cart and it's great to have that small curation."
Often people from the nearby neighborhood are coming and going to return books and pick up another one.
Judy Cosio was there talking to the staff and said, "I think it is just a gift and they go to all the different parks to reach all of the community not just one area, so that's a part. That's nice about it as well. "
The stops throughout the city are listed on the library's website and Meza-Cordona said, "we do more than just books there's a wi-fi if you want to connect, there's laptops you can use if you want to, there is a printer you can hook up to."
The team comes prepared for all ages. "It's all about being there when someone is interested in learning more about the library, check out books or whatever it is," he said.
In addition to Shoreline Park, the Library on the Go Van can often be seen at Bohnett Park on the Westside and Alameda Park Downtown.
Nearby the Eastside Library and the Montecito Library are good alternatives.
Related to the library construction, the city says in a news release:
Santa Barbara Public Library’s Library on the Go van will add additional stops on Friday, Saturday, and Monday featuring collections and children’s programming.
On Friday, January 27, Library on the Go van will be at Alameda Park from 2:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. following the regular Shoreline Park visit from 10 a.m. until noon.
The van will visit Alameda Park from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 28. Library staff will have children’s activities all day, in addition to a Poetry Walk featuring poems written by local poets as part of a workshop with Mission Poetry Series.
On Monday, the van will visit Shoreline Park from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a special pop-up Stay and Play class for families and young children and will visit Alameda from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. with activities for school-age children.
