Ribbon Cutting for New Goleta Valley Library Bookvan

Source: City of Goleta

The Goleta Valley Library is excited to show off its brand-new Library Bookvan for the Isla Vista community at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony this Monday, October 4th at 1:30 p.m. at the Isla Vista Community Center parking lot (976 Embarcadero Del Mar). We invite the community to attend and see the new Bookvan first-hand.

Speakers include Senator Monique Limón, who generously procured the $200,000 California State Grant for the project, Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, Isla Vista Community Services District Board President Spencer Brandt, and Isla Vista Recreation & Park District General Manager Kimberly Kiefer.

The ribbon-cutting also marks the Bookvan’s first day of service. Starting on October 4, 2021, the Bookvan will operate Monday through Friday with stops throughout the Isla Vista area. The Bookvan will provide library services to the wider Isla Vista community with the delivery of books, audiovisual materials, Library of Things items, technology, craft kits for kids, honor system books, free books, and more. Library cards will be issued to anyone who wants one. There will be WiFi available near the van so that people can download some of the more than one million items available through the Goleta Valley Library databases. The specialty van will be able to hold approximately 500 books and will be powered with Wi-Fi and a solar battery.

The Bookvan schedule repeats every two weeks and is available here on the Library’s website. The stops include the Isla Vista Friendship Manor, St. George’s Teen Center, IV Community Center, Storke Community Center, Estero Park, Studio Plaza Apartments, Sea Lookout Park, Perfect Park, UCSB Early Childhood, West Campus Playground, and Isla Vista Elementary School.

Materials will be provided in English, Spanish, and Simple Chinese, reflecting some of the main languages used in Isla Vista. 

The library is grateful for the funding secured by Senator Limón which allowed not only for the purchase of the van but for the hiring of four staff members to run it for a pilot program of two years. The funding also paid for computer equipment, furniture, a solar-powered energy resource, downloadable materials, a circulating collection of books, DVDs and Books on CD, as well as programming supplies.

Also, Little Libraries have been provided by the Goleta Valley Library to a number of spots in Isla Vista with more on order. There will be a book return at the Isla Vista Community Center for people to return items early or if they cannot meet the Bookvan at one of its scheduled stops.

For more information on the Library Bookvan contact Library Director Allison Gray at 805-562-5502 or agray@cityofgoleta.org.