Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Portrait photo of Grace fisher with logos for the Youth Makers Market and Grace Fisher Foundation, with a disability pride flag.

Disability Awareness and Cultural Market

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 10:00am - 2:00pm
Michael Towbes Library Plaza (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Arts & Culture, Raíces y Sueños, Special Event

Age Group:

All Ages
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Michael Towbes Library Plaza (Central)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Raíces y Sueños, Special Event
Details/Detalles:

Celebrate inclusion, creativity, and community at this special event honoring Disability Awareness! Begin the morning with a heartwarming bilingual storytime that encourages empathy and understanding for all ages.

teen volunteer time

Teen Volunteer Time

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00am - 12:30pm
Eastside Library

Program Type:

Civic Engagement, For Teens, Spanish

Age Group:

Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Program Type: Civic Engagement, For Teens, Spanish
Hands use red scissors to cut green tissue paper on a table covered with craft supplies.

Relax & Craft for Teens

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Upper Level (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

For Teens, Spanish, STEAM & Maker

Age Group:

Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Upper Level (Central)
Age Group: Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Program Type: For Teens, Spanish, STEAM & Maker
Details/Detalles:

Calling all teens in grades 7-12! Join us for a relaxing crafting session! Head upstairs to the Teen Area and learn to crochet, relax and color, or explore classic crafts like friendship bracelets and keychain making.

SBPL hosts workshops for intermediate Spanish speakers

Intermediate Spanish Conversation Class

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 10:00am - 11:00am
Tech Lab (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Adult Literacy

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Tech Lab (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult Literacy
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Are you looking to improve your intermediate Spanish-language skills? This class focuses on speaking, listening, and conversational practice.

bilingual songs and stories

Bilingual Songs & Stories for Kids

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 11:00am - 11:30am
MLK Jr. Room (Eastside) at Eastside Library

Program Type:

Early Literacy, Spanish

Age Group:

Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Room: MLK Jr. Room (Eastside)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy, Spanish
White and orange outline of a dog face with a blue book with a tie dye background

Read to a Dog

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Eastside Library

Program Type:

Books & Reading, Spanish

Age Group:

School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Books & Reading, Spanish
practical skills workshops

Practical Skills Workshop for Adult Literacy Tutors

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Off Site

Program Type:

Adult Literacy, Tutor Training

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult Literacy, Tutor Training
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Join fellow volunteers for a hands-on tutoring skills workshop! Learn new skills to use during sessions with learners. Problem-solve challenges and celebrate successes in collaboration with current tutors.

Promotional graphic for the Romance Book CLub with wood grain background

Romance Book Club

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Tech Lab (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Books & Reading

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Tech Lab (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading
Details/Detalles:

Join us for Romance Book Club to meet other romance readers in the community, chat about your favorite romances, and discuss the month's reading selection (books are available digitally for checkout).

Black and white photograph of Gabriela Mistral with her name in large, white text overlaid on the image.

Gabriela Mistral Nobel Prize 80th Anniversary Celebration

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
All Faulkner Galleries (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Arts & Culture, Spanish

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: All Faulkner Galleries (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Spanish
Details/Detalles:

Join us in celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to the Chilean poet, Gabriela Mistral.

Stay & Play

Stay & Play

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 9:00am - 10:30am
Eastside Library

Program Type:

Early Literacy, Spanish

Age Group:

Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy, Spanish
Details/Detalles:

Drop by to learn and play, sing and share stories with your young children. Enjoy company and snacks with other caregivers. Bilingual Spanish and English speaking staff will be present.

Disclaimer(s):

Filters
Age Group

Children's Resource Fair

10:30am–1:00pm
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School), Family
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Michael Towbes Library Plaza (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School), Family
Program Type: Early Literacy, Parents & Caregivers, Special Event
Details/Detalles:

Do you have a child between 0-12 years old? Join SBPL for this special event co-sponsored by Santa Barbara County Education Office to learn what our community has to offer.

Baby & Me

11:00am–11:30am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy

Baby & Me focuses on developing your baby’s pre-literacy skills. In this thirty-minute program, our storyteller will lead the group in songs, rhymes, reading, and sensory play time to develop language skills, social skills, motor skills, and community building. Please bring your own blanket.

This class is best for babies 0-14 months and their caregivers.

Disclaimer(s) 

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.

Montecito Book Club

2:00pm–3:00pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Join the Montecito Book Club every fourth Tuesday of the month!

Take a look at past selections!

Disclaimer(s):

Bilingual Music & Movement

10:15am–10:45am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: All Faulkner Galleries (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy, Spanish

All-singing, all-dancing morning of stories and fun! In this class, children and their caregivers learn how to develop early literacy skills through music, dancing, and creative play in English and Spanish. These sessions are designed for children ages 2 - 5, but children of all ages are welcome.

Disclaimer(s):

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.

Story Creators

4:00pm–5:00pm
School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High)
Program Type: Arts & Culture
Details/Detalles:

Play with writing and storytelling by exploring how to create characters, setting, and plot. Try your hand at writing opinion pieces or storyboarding a script or graphic novel.

Practical Skills Workshop for Adult Literacy Tutors

5:00pm–6:30pm
Adults
Off Site
Open
Registration Required
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult Literacy, Tutor Training
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Join fellow volunteers for a hands-on tutoring skills workshop! Learn new skills to use during sessions with learners. Problem-solve challenges and celebrate successes in collaboration with current tutors.

Music & Movement | Shoreline Park

10:30am–11:00am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Library on the Go (LOTG)
Library Branch: Library on the Go (LOTG)
Room: Shoreline Park
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy, Library on the Go

All-singing, all-dancing morning of stories and fun! In this class, children and their caregivers learn how to develop early literacy skills through music, dancing, and creative play. These sessions are designed for children ages 2 - 5, but children of all ages are welcome.

Disclaimer(s):

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.

In case of inclement weather, outdoor activities may be canceled. For the most up to date information, please contact the library with any questions or concerns before traveling to library events.

SBPL Works! Typing Course

2:00pm–3:30pm
Adults
Central Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Faulkner Gallery East (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult Literacy, Job & Career
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

SBPL Works! invites job seekers to a 8-part typing course, designed for beginners to navigate a keyboard and practice typing in a safe space.

Teen Volunteer Time

4:15pm–5:45pm
Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Central Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Upper Level (Central)
Age Group: Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Program Type: Civic Engagement, For Teens, Spanish
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Teens can earn 90 minutes of community service time every week at the Central Library. Teens will help find books, organize library materials, prepare arts and crafts activities, and other tasks.

Taller bilingüe de artes y manualidades para adultos

9:30am–11:00am
Adults
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Room: MLK Jr. Room (Eastside)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult Literacy, Spanish
Details/Detalles:

Note: This program is bilingüe, Spanish and English.

SBPL x SBMA Teen Art pARTy

3:30pm–5:00pm
Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Central Library
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Age Group: Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Program Type: Arts & Culture, For Teens, Spanish, Special Event
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Teens, join SBPL and SBMA for a special art party, where you’ll get to learn from and work with Teaching Artist Carlos Bardales in the Art Learning Lab to create unique works of art. 

Explore Together

10:15am–11:15am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), Family
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Early Literacy, STEAM & Maker
Details/Detalles:

Join us Saturday mornings at the library for fun, interactive learning activities for the whole family! Explore science, math, literacy, and art concepts together in a hands-on, engaging way.

Baby & Me

11:00am–11:30am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy

Baby & Me focuses on developing your baby’s pre-literacy skills. In this thirty-minute program, our storyteller will lead the group in songs, rhymes, reading, and sensory play time to develop language skills, social skills, motor skills, and community building. Please bring your own blanket.

This class is best for babies 0-14 months and their caregivers.

Disclaimer(s) 

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.

Lego Party

1:00pm–4:00pm
School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Program Type: Spring Break Party, STEAM & Maker
Details/Detalles:

Get creative with Legos or try one of our challenges to master your Lego-building skills!

Disclaimer(s)

Bilingual Music & Movement

10:15am–10:45am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: All Faulkner Galleries (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy, Spanish

All-singing, all-dancing morning of stories and fun! In this class, children and their caregivers learn how to develop early literacy skills through music, dancing, and creative play in English and Spanish. These sessions are designed for children ages 2 - 5, but children of all ages are welcome.

Disclaimer(s):

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.

Imagine That! STEAM Hour

4:00pm–5:00pm
School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Spanish, STEAM & Maker
Details/Detalles:

Get crafty in the library! Turn your imagination into reality with a new, hands-on STEAM-inspired workshop on the first Wednesday of every month.

Bilingual English and Spanish speaking staff will be present.

Fiction Book Club

5:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Central Library
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Faulkner Gallery West (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Let’s talk fiction! We’ll meet monthly and share our thoughts about a novel or collection of short stories.

This month’s title: TBD

Music & Movement | Shoreline Park

10:30am–11:00am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Library on the Go (LOTG)
Library Branch: Library on the Go (LOTG)
Room: Shoreline Park
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy, Library on the Go

All-singing, all-dancing morning of stories and fun! In this class, children and their caregivers learn how to develop early literacy skills through music, dancing, and creative play. These sessions are designed for children ages 2 - 5, but children of all ages are welcome.

Disclaimer(s):

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.

In case of inclement weather, outdoor activities may be canceled. For the most up to date information, please contact the library with any questions or concerns before traveling to library events.

Imagine That: Villains Party

3:00pm–5:00pm
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High), Family
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Special Event, Spring Break Party, STEAM & Maker
Details/Detalles:

Calling all devious divas and shifty scoundrels! Be prepared for your world domination campaign here at the library. Craft your nefarious ne’er-do-well persona with outrageous masks and hypnotize the masses during villain karaoke.

1st Thursday Art Reception

4:00pm–7:00pm
Adults
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: All Faulkner Galleries (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Special Event
Details/Detalles:

Visit the library for a 1st Thursday reception and view the latest art exhibits. Exhibits rotate monthly in each of the Faulkner galleries.

Disclaimer(s):

Teen Volunteer Time

4:15pm–5:45pm
Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Central Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Upper Level (Central)
Age Group: Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School)
Program Type: Civic Engagement, For Teens, Spanish
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Teens can earn 90 minutes of community service time every week at the Central Library. Teens will help find books, organize library materials, prepare arts and crafts activities, and other tasks.

How to Use Your Smartphone 101

4:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Central Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Tech Lab (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult Literacy, Spanish, Tech Skills, Tutor Training
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Learn how to use your iPhone or Android smartphone in 3 weeks!

Each course in this interactive, 3-week series is hands-on and builds on the previous week so you are strongly encouraged to attend the entire series.

Pokemon Battle Party

2:00pm–4:00pm
School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High)
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Books & Reading, Special Event, Spring Break Party, STEAM & Maker
Details/Detalles:

Calling all Pokemon Trainers: who will you choose to battle in our Island Gym? Bring your cards to trade or play with other Pokemon Masters during this special drop-in gym.

Explore Together

10:15am–11:15am
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), Family
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Early Literacy, STEAM & Maker
Details/Detalles:

Join us Saturday mornings at the library for fun, interactive learning activities for the whole family! Explore science, math, literacy, and art concepts together in a hands-on, engaging way.