Cocktails & Culture: A Centennial Celebration

The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation is proud to announce a celebration of the Central Library’s 100 years of service to the community, “Cocktails & Culture: A Centennial Celebration” on Saturday, November 4, from 7 to 9 pm in the Central Library at 40 E. Anapamu St. Funds raised will be used for the foundation’s Next Steps Projects at the Central Library, which include a Teen Center, exterior enhancements, re-opening the second floor patio, refurbishing the library plaza and fully endowing the Children’s Library Community Coordinator position.

The gala will feature literary cocktails, ample hors d’oeuvres, celebratory dessert, entertainment and stories about the library from the past, present and future.

Guests will enter through the original entrance doors on Anapamu St., which have not been used by the public since 1980. The doors are noted for their unique and colorful tympanum, which features statues of Aristotle and Plato and shields representing noted European libraries. 

Library Director, Jessica Cadiente, says: “We are thrilled that the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation is helping us to accomplish the library’s mission of building community. The 21st century public library reflects a shift away from building collections to building connections and knowledge networks.  Our community is at the center of our mission.”

Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation’s Board President, Anne Howard, says: “We welcome you to join us for this celebration of our city’s most valuable public resource. Our Foundation, with your generous support, provides critical funding to keep our libraries open, excellent, and free. Libraries are the cornerstone of our democracy – and today we need that cornerstone strengthened as never before.”

The Cocktails & Culture gala committee, chaired by foundation board member Zora Charles, with able assistance from Co-Chairs Katie Szopa and Dianne Duva, has planned an elegant and enjoyable evening in the library. The gala committee includes members of the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation board, the Santa Barbara Friends of the Public Library board and library personnel.

The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation was created in 2012 to raise funds for the new Children’s Library at the Central Library, which opened in September of 2015. To date the foundation has raised close to $5 million dollars for capital projects at the Central Library.

Tickets are $100 and may be purchased online at SBLibraryFoundation.org or by calling 805.689.2448.