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

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
Details/Detalles:

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.

Read to a Dog

3:00pm–4:00pm
School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Books & Reading, Spanish

Practice your reading with our furry friend, Tallulah! Sign up at the desk for a 10-15 minute reading session, first come, first served. Reluctant readers, emergent readers, and dog-loving readers are welcome!  Our volunteer therapy dog team is certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

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.

Comic Chaos Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Central Library
Full
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Program Type: Books & Reading
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Share a love of graphic novels with other school-aged kids! Each meeting will be accompanied with an activity inspired by themes in the books we read.

Romance Book Club

5:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Central Library
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).

Nightmare Before Christmas Maker Fair

4:00pm–5:30pm
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, Books & Reading, Special Event
Details/Detalles:

What’s this?!

Stuffed Animal Sleepover: All Aboard the Library Express!

5:00pm–6:00pm
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Room: MLK Jr. Room (Eastside)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Books & Reading, Early Literacy, Spanish, Special Event
Details/Detalles:

Celebrate the Holidays with a Stuffed Animal Sleepover on the Library Express!

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!

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
Details/Detalles:

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.

Read to a Dog

3:00pm–4:00pm
School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Books & Reading, Spanish

Practice your reading with our furry friend, Tallulah! Sign up at the desk for a 10-15 minute reading session, first come, first served. Reluctant readers, emergent readers, and dog-loving readers are welcome!  Our volunteer therapy dog team is certified by the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.

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.

Grupo de lectura en español

9:30am–10:30am
Adults
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Room: MLK Jr. Room (Eastside)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading, Spanish
Details/Detalles:

¡Acompáñanos en el Grupo de Lectura en español de la Biblioteca Pública de Santa Bárbara, el cual se realiza el último viernes de cada otro mes! Este es un grupo para intercambiar ideas y conversar sobre la lectura.

Winter Holiday Closure

All Day 12/22–12/26
All Branches
Closing
Branches:
Central Library, Eastside Library, Montecito Library, Library on the Go (LOTG), Virtual, Off Site
Description:

All SBPL locations will be closed for the winter holiday break.


 

New Year's Eve

2:00pm–7:00pm
All Branches
Closing
Branches:
Central Library, Eastside Library, Montecito Library, Library on the Go (LOTG), Virtual, Off Site
Description:

All SBPL locations will close early for New Year's Eve.

New Year's Day

All Day
All Branches
Closing
Branches:
Central Library, Eastside Library, Montecito Library, Library on the Go (LOTG), Virtual, Off Site
Description:

All SBPL locations will be closed for New Year's Day.

 

Fiction Book Club

5:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Central Library
Open
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

Comic Chaos Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Central Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Program Type: Books & Reading
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Share a love of graphic novels with other school-aged kids! Each meeting will be accompanied with an activity inspired by themes in the books we read.

Romance Book Club

5:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Faulkner Gallery West (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).

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!

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

Comic Chaos Club

4:00pm–5:00pm
School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Central Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Island Room (Central)
Age Group: School-aged children (Grades 3-6)
Program Type: Books & Reading
Registration Required
Details/Detalles:

Share a love of graphic novels with other school-aged kids! Each meeting will be accompanied with an activity inspired by themes in the books we read.

Romance Book Club

5:30pm–6:30pm
Adults
Central Library
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Faulkner Gallery West (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).

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!

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):

Grupo de lectura en español

9:30am–10:30am
Adults
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Room: MLK Jr. Room (Eastside)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading, Spanish
Details/Detalles:

¡Acompáñanos en el Grupo de Lectura en español de la Biblioteca Pública de Santa Bárbara, el cual se realiza el último viernes de cada otro mes! Este es un grupo para intercambiar ideas y conversar sobre la lectura.

Book Release Party: Celebrating the Living Black History of Santa Barbara

4:00pm–6:00pm
Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Eastside Library
Library Branch: Eastside Library
Room: MLK Jr. Room (Eastside)
Age Group: Early Childhood (Ages 0-5), School-aged children (Grades K-2), School-aged children (Grades 3-6), Family
Program Type: Books & Reading
Details/Detalles:

Celebrate the release of We Were Here, We Are Here: A Living History of Black Santa Barbara – a brand new book centering Black history in Santa Barbara, written by local author Simone Akila Ruskamp and illustrated by Reyna Harris.