Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Yarn balls and knitting needles on a blue woven blanket.

Knit 'n' Needle

Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Montecito Library

Program Type:

Arts & Culture

Age Group:

Adults
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture
Illustration of three soft-colored hanging stars and floating bubbles against a blue watercolor background.

Sensory-Friendly Storytime

Friday, March 20, 2026 at 4:45pm - 5:15pm
Island Room (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Early Literacy, Parents & Caregivers

Age Group:

Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family, All Ages
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), Family, All Ages
Program Type: Early Literacy, Parents & Caregivers
Registration Required
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Enjoy a sensory-friendly storytime where all children are welcome. Participate in songs, read stories, and have fun with bubbles while gaining early literacy tips, socialization, and calming breath techniques.

Swap meet LOTG

LOTG | Santa Barbara High School Swap Meet

Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 8:00am - 1:00pm
In the Community at Library on the Go (LOTG)

Program Type:

Civic Engagement, Library on the Go, Spanish, Special Event

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), Adults, Family, All Ages
Library Branch: Library on the Go (LOTG)
Room: In the Community
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), Adults, Family, All Ages
Program Type: Civic Engagement, Library on the Go, Spanish, Special Event
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Join the Library on the Go van at the Santa Barbara High School Swap Meet where we will be stocked with mostly adult items, but we’ll also have some children’s items available.

Illustration of Bluey and Chloe waving while standing on a picnic blanket in a grassy field.

Wiggle, Read, Create: Bluey

Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00am - 12:30pm
Faulkner Gallery (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Arts & Culture

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
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Faulkner Gallery (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: Arts & Culture
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Join us dressed as your favorite Bluey character and enjoy all things  Bluey! Create Bluey headbands, perler bead key chains, paint a Gnome Husband, and hunt for Long Dog.

Illustration of multiple colorful hands raised upward against a white wooden background.

Teen Volunteer Time

Saturday, March 21, 2026 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, March 21, 2026 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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.

Illustration of a child silhouette reaching for stars while standing on an open book with a SBCEO logo against a night sky background.

Children's Resource Fair

Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 10:30am - 1:00pm
Michael Towbes Library Plaza (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Early Literacy, Parents & Caregivers, Special Event

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
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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.

A crescent moon and two stars hanging on a soft pastel background.

Baby & Me

Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Island Room (Central) at Central Library

Program Type:

Early Literacy

Age Group:

Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5)
Program Type: Early Literacy
Illustration of three people engaged in a discussion with colorful, empty speech bubbles appearing above them.

Intermediate Spanish Conversation Class

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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

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Age Group
Program Type

Learn to Play Mah Jongg for Beginners in Four Easy Lessons

2:00pm–4:00pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Waitlist
Registration Required
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Special Event
Registration Required
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Looking for a welcoming, friendly space to learn Mah Jongg?

Creator's Club

2:00pm–3:00pm
School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Books & Reading, Spanish, STEAM & Maker
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Looking for a fun and creative after-school activity? Join us at the Eastside Library for a weekly STEAM activity inspired by children’s literature. Bilingual Spanish and English speaking staff will be present.

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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.

Knit 'n' Needle

2:00pm–3:30pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture

Our weekly Knit ’n’ Needle gathering is a relaxed space for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all fiber artists to stitch, chat, and create together.
All skill levels welcome.

Disclaimer:

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.

Learn to Play Mah Jongg for Beginners in Four Easy Lessons

2:00pm–4:00pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Waitlist
Registration Required
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Special Event
Registration Required
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Looking for a welcoming, friendly space to learn Mah Jongg?

Chess Club

2:30pm–4:00pm
All Ages
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Faulkner Gallery (Central)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Culture
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Ready to make your move? Find your next opponent at our all-ages Chess Club. Stop by for relaxed, drop-in play where beginners and experienced players can learn, practice, and have fun together.

Open Mic Night & Art Gallery

6:00pm–7:30pm
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Teen (Junior High), Teen (High School), Adults, Family, All Ages
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Fireplace Room (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), Adults, Family, All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Culture
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Take the stage and share your voice! All are invited to Santa Barbara Public Library’s Open Mic where all forms of expression are welcome, including spoken word, music, poetry, comedy, and dance.

Explore Together

10:00am–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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.

Learn to Play Mah Jongg for Beginners in Four Easy Lessons

2:00pm–5:00pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Waitlist
Registration Required
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Special Event
Registration Required
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Looking for a welcoming, friendly space to learn Mah Jongg?

Creator's Club

2:00pm–3:00pm
School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Books & Reading, Spanish, STEAM & Maker
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Looking for a fun and creative after-school activity? Join us at the Eastside Library for a weekly STEAM activity inspired by children’s literature. Bilingual Spanish and English speaking staff will be present.

Knit 'n' Needle

2:00pm–3:30pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture

Our weekly Knit ’n’ Needle gathering is a relaxed space for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all fiber artists to stitch, chat, and create together.
All skill levels welcome.

Disclaimer:

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.

Explore Together

10:00am–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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.

Creator's Club

2:00pm–3:00pm
School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Books & Reading, Spanish, STEAM & Maker
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Looking for a fun and creative after-school activity? Join us at the Eastside Library for a weekly STEAM activity inspired by children’s literature. Bilingual Spanish and English speaking staff will be present.

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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.

Knit 'n' Needle

2:00pm–3:30pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture

Our weekly Knit ’n’ Needle gathering is a relaxed space for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all fiber artists to stitch, chat, and create together.
All skill levels welcome.

Disclaimer:

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.

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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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):

World Game Day

3:30pm–4:30pm
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), 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), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Special Event, STEAM & Maker
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Join us for an afternoon of games from around the world. Board games, puzzles, tabletop games, and fun for all ages!

Disclaimer(s):

Guess Who’s in Town Poetry Reading with James Crews and Brad Peacock

5:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Fireplace Room (Central)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Celebrate two Vermont-based poets at the "Guess Who's in Town" poetry reading series.

Explore Together

10:00am–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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.

Creator's Club

2:00pm–3:00pm
School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Books & Reading, Spanish, STEAM & Maker
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Looking for a fun and creative after-school activity? Join us at the Eastside Library for a weekly STEAM activity inspired by children’s literature. Bilingual Spanish and English speaking staff will be present.

Knit 'n' Needle

2:00pm–3:30pm
Adults
Montecito Library
Library Branch: Montecito Library
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture

Our weekly Knit ’n’ Needle gathering is a relaxed space for knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and all fiber artists to stitch, chat, and create together.
All skill levels welcome.

Disclaimer:

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.

Yoga en Silla

9:30am–10:30am
Adults
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Room: MLK Jr. Room (Eastside)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Adult Literacy, Arts & Culture, Spanish, Special Event
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

Join SBPL and Pink Means Go Wellness for a series of special chair yoga and mindfulness sessions. This program is designed to be gentle and accessible for all bodies and abilities.

SBPL x SBMA Teen Art pARTy

3:45pm–5:30pm
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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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

10:00am–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
Event Details / Detalles del evento:

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.