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
Program Type

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.

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
Details/Detalles:

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

10:15am–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.

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.

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):

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.

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.

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
Details/Detalles:

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.

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.

Lunar New Year Family Festival

1:00pm–4:00pm
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: All Faulkner Galleries (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, Books & Reading, Special Event
Details/Detalles:

Join SBPL and the Santa Barbara Chinese School for a vibrant celebration of the Lunar New Year!

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.

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.

Drumming with Mister Boom Boom

3:00pm–4:00pm
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2)
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Michael Towbes Upper Plaza (Central)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2)
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Early Literacy, Special Event
Details/Detalles:

Join us for a fun, interactive, and educational experience! In an African Drum Circle we’ll learn about a variety of West African hand drums including the djembe, talking drum, and more.

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.

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):

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.

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
Details/Detalles:

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.

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.

Wiggle, Read, Create: Bluey

11:00am–12:30pm
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: 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
Details/Detalles:

Join us dressed as your favorite Bluey character and enjoy all things  Bluey!

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.

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.

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.

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.