Over 1,200 Readers Participated at Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries
The 2025 Summer Reading Program has crossed the finish line with success after this year’s theme invited readers to Level Up at Your Library!
During the six-week program, over 1,247 readers participated in the all-ages program, logging an impressive total of 7,580 books and 148,039 minutes.
The Summer Reading Program is an annual literacy tradition at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, with a goal of connecting readers of all ages through community events and making reading even more rewarding through earning prizes.
This year, Children’s Librarian Kaeley Christensen redesigned the program to keep access levels high across all libraries while Goleta Valley Library moved into its temporary home during construction. The online tracking tool Beanstack allowed participants to log their reading from anywhere, at any time, while continuing to offer paper logs ensured that families could participate in their preferred format.
Events were held over the course of the Summer Reading Program at each of the libraries in our system. In Goleta, a first-ever Kick-Off event at Stow House attracted over 1,000 attendees who joined us to play games, register for the reading program, hear live music by Nathalia and Ukulele Jim, and even enjoy an interactive performance with Elemental Aerial Arts.
Special events such as magic shows, hula lessons, outdoor concerts, and reptile visits continued throughout June and July at the Goleta Community Center, at the new Buellton Library’s outdoor spaces, and at Solvang Library where there was often standing room only. The program concluded with a brand-new event in Goleta – a Silent Disco, where children ages 6-12 danced to their preferred music playlist through special wireless headphones!
Overall, a total of 13 free community events were held, and 2,137 patrons of all ages gathered to learn, engage, and delight in these interactive performances.
The program would not have been such a success without the efforts of dozens of hardworking teen volunteers, who supported staff in essential ways: covering shifts at special events, awarding prizes as participants reported on their reading, and helping to take photos and interact with families during performances. We also wish to thank the many local sponsors whose generous donations of reading incentives helped participants meet and exceed their reading goals for the summer.
Lastly, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, Friends of the Buellton Library, and Friends of the Library of the Santa Ynez Valley, whose incredible support funded prize incentives and special events throughout the program.
Planning for the 2026 Summer Reading Program is already underway – join us for more literary fun next year!
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Good work – congratulations!
You’re a star, Children’s Librarian Kaeley Christensen!
I was lucky that my mom had worked as a New York Childrens’ Public Librarian. I grew up immersed in books; still have my original AA Milne/Winnie the Pooh four-book set, among others. Mom’s reading aloud was unmatched.
Now that I’m retired, I live my childhood dream of waking up in the morning and reaching for my book. With at least one cat on the bed, another constant since childhood! 🙂