CityofGoleta
Source: City of Goleta
Now that the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton library branches will be reopening for Express Service to the public in limited capacity beginning Wednesday, June 2, 2021, we want to prepare you for what this will look like. Library staff will be following COVID-19 safety guidelines, and patrons who choose to come inside the library must wear a mask (ages 2 and over) and maintain at least six feet of distance from others. There will also be gloves and hand sanitizer available at the entrance.
Express Service Library Hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The hours are the same as Sidewalk Service which will remain open. Please note, the entire library will be open at all three branches except for the restrooms. Below is information on how each of the three library branches will operate:
- Goleta Library: Patrons will be allowed in on a first-come, first-served basis and will have 15 minutes to spend inside picking out material and checking it out on a self-checkout machine, using an Express computer, and/or browsing the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Up to 25 people will be allowed in at a time.
- Solvang Library: This branch will accommodate up to six people at a time. There will be a limited number of public computers available. Solvang Library will take reservations 24 hours in advance via the library website (www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org) and via telephone at 805 688-4214.
- Buellton Library: The Buellton branch will accommodate up to five patrons at a time. This branch will also follow a first-come, first-served basis. Patrons can also call the Buellton Library at 805 688-3115 if other accommodations are needed.
Sidewalk Service will remain open Wednesdays – Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for those who want to quickly grab their holds without entering the building.
For now, the material available to check out, whether in-person or through Sidewalk Service, will continue to only be from the Goleta, Solvang or Buellton branches. There is not a date set for when patrons can begin receiving material from other Black Gold Libraries. Black Gold receives funding from the Federal Government that is funneled through the California State Library which pays for the shipments between the seven Black Gold jurisdictions. The funding was severely slashed for this 2020/21 Fiscal Year and we do not yet know what will happen for FY 21/22 which begins July 1, 2021.
We are so excited to be reopening! We have missed you all after this long year and can’t wait to see you back in the library beginning June 2!
Santa Barbara Public Library Increases Access to Buildings for Express Library Services
Source: City of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara Public Library will increase access to buildings for expanded library services beginning June 1st, 2021. SBPL has been meeting the needs of the community through adjusted service models in response to COVID-19, including Sidewalk Service, Grab n’ Go and browsing, homebound delivery, chromebook and hotspots, and our continued commitment to customer service, and is now ready to enter the next phase of reopening. To prepare the buildings for reopening, all SBPL locations will be closed on Saturday, May 29th.
The public will be invited to visit the Library for up to 30 minutes at a time. To ensure that all are able to access the Library, patrons will be limited to one visit per day. Each building will have limited capacity to ensure social distancing and are set at 25% building capacity, including Library staff. Self-serve holds pickup and self-checkout stations will be available. Stacks will be opened for browsing. Computers will be available for use, however, side-by-side assistance from staff will not be available, as staff will still maintain 6 feet of distance from patrons. Patrons can access copiers or printers. Wifi will be available for patrons to use with their own devices. Limited seating and tables will be available, and all furniture will be spaced out more than 6 feet. Staff are able to assist with account questions, help accessing or locating library resources, and other quick reference questions. For those who need in depth research assistance, Reserve a Librarian appointments are available.
The Library will continue to require masks to be worn by all patrons 2 years of age and older at all times when inside Library buildings, even if this practice is discontinued by local public health orders. Read the full outline of health and safety procedures and full reopening document on the Library’s website. The Library does not plan to offer in person programming inside the building at this time.
Meeting room reservations are not available at this time, and there will be no toys or manipulatives in the Children’s Library. In addition to the Library’s regular Rules of Conduct, staff ask that patrons refrain from eating in the library. Restrooms will be open and available as part of a visit of less than 30 minutes.
Holds for materials are still limited to items owned by Santa Barbara Public Library. There is no estimate on when shipment between other Black Gold Libraries will resume, though SBPL is prepared to resume shipment as soon as the other jurisdictions are ready. If patrons are in need of items not currently owned by an SBPL location, they are encouraged to submit a purchase request or request items through the Zip Books program.
HOURS AND CAPACITY BY LOCATION
Central Library
Visit the Santa Barbara Public Library online at SBPLibrary.org for information about programs and services. All library programs are free and open to the public.
