Welcome to the Library Reading Corner for April 2022

A Note from Library Director Allison Gray: 

I am so pleased to introduce our new Goleta Valley Library Branch Supervisor, Carla Mason, to our community! Carla comes to us with ten years of experience, most recently as Librarian at the main branch of Seattle Public Library. She graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities and then went on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Drexel University. In her previous positions, she has specialized in developing programs and partnerships that help meet the needs of the community. Her accomplishments include obtaining a $75,000 Grant to Fund Wired Furniture and Digital Literacy Workshops and a $48,000 grant to create a digital arts lab.

Carla is going to be a great fit in our community-oriented library and a welcome addition to our staff. She begins work in mid-April; if you are at the library, please say hello!

Carla Mason

Stay Connected

We would love for you to follow us on social media! Stay up-to-date on what’s happening at the Library by following us on Facebook and Instagram (below) and our YouTube channel (Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries). We post regularly about programs, books, resources, and more. Please also visit our website, www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org, for the latest information.

• Goleta Valley Library: Facebook: Facebook.com/GoletaValleyLibrary and Instagram: Instagram.com/goletavalleylibrary
• Solvang Library: Facebook: Facebook.com/SolvangLibrary and Instagram: Instagram.com/solvanglibrary
• Buellton Library: Facebook: Facebook.com/BuelltonLibraries and Instagram: Instagram.com/buelltonlibrary

B. Allison Gray
Library Director

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Library Director Allison Gray

New System Debuting at Library Libraries Closed April 22 & 23 Library staff is busily working behind the scenes to get our new Circulation, Acquisitions, and Materials Management system ready for debut on April 25. In order for this to happen, the libraries will be closed on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23. Patrons will also not be able to place holds on any items from home or access the e-Library on either of those two days. Learn more here.

Get Your Home Energy Savings DIY Toolkit & Attend Free Webinar The Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) has partnered with local libraries to bring you the Home Energy Savings DIY Toolkit! Join in Thursday evening, April 21st at 6:00 p.m. for the DIY Toolkit Earth Day Webinar which will cover the tools, equipment and a guide to help you save energy and increase the comfort of your home. Register here today. Home Energy Savings DIY Toolkits are available now at the Goleta, Buellton and Solvang Library branches and can be checked out through the Library of Things collection.

In-Person Programming Resumes

After more than two years, your local libraries are transitioning back to in-person events, while retaining some online programming for patron convenience. We hope to see you soon in whatever format works best for you! Below is a list of upcoming programs by library branch.

Goleta Valley Library

Annual Children’s Bookmark Contest April 1st – 30th Stop by the library to pick up a Bookmark Contest entry form or download a copy here! This year’s theme is “Dive into a Good Book.” Let your creativity run wild as you design the bookmark of your dreams! Open to children ages 12 and under. Winners will be announced mid-May and will be recognized on the library website and social media, and will receive a certificate and a prize. Winning bookmarks will be distributed to the public.

Homework Help Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Kindergarten – 8th grade students can now receive free, one-on-one help with their homework after school at the library. Service is provided on a drop-in basis, so no appointment is needed ahead of time. Our background-checked volunteer homework coaches are excited to help our local students finish the school year with success.

Tech Tutoring Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Are you looking for more information about GVL’s online resources? Do you need assistance with your electronic or mobile device? Simply fill out this form and one of our friendly staff will reach out to meet your needs. You will be contacted by a staff member to schedule a 30-minute in-person appointment at the library.

Craft Kits for Kids and Teens Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Stop by the library to pick up a free craft kit, while supplies last! Baskets of crafts are available in the children’s area and in the Teen Corner. One craft per family per visit, please.

Wiggly Wednesdays Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us for Storytime on Wiggly Wednesdays with Miss Nicole! Best for ages 15 months-5 years old. We’ll do a short story, songs, a dance party, and bubbles. Bring your blanket and join us on the lawn (located behind the Children’s Patio). In the event of rain or cold weather, we’ll be in the Multipurpose Room

Succulent Swap Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Bring your “pest-free” succulent cuttings to share and exchange with other succulent lovers! This outdoor event will be held on the adult patio at Goleta Valley Library. Check out some books about gardening and succulents while you are here and get started on your springtime garden!

Book Discussion: UCSB Reads “Exhalation” by Ted Chiang Tuesday, April 12, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Join us for an online book discussion of the UCSB Reads 2022 selection, Exhalation by Ted Chiang. We’ll examine Chiang’s latest collection of short stories and share our reflections on this title. Register here to save your seat at this engaging, virtual program.

Mystery Book Club Tuesday, April 26th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Our Mystery Book Club will be meeting to discuss Attica Locke’s Heaven, My Home. Email Craig to enroll in the club.

Lego Make and Take Away Saturday, April 30th from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. Create fun Lego structures and keep whatever you create! For children ages 12 and under.

Buellton Library

Buellton Bookworms Book Club Friday, April 15th from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Join in the conversation via Zoom with our monthly book club! This month we will be talking about This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. You can request a copy online through the Goleta Valley Library website or stop by the Buellton Library and ask at the circulation desk for a copy. Registration is not required, and you can join in and meet others using the link posted here.

Solvang

Outdoor Storytime Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Join us on Solvang Library’s back patio for songs, stories and fun for children ages 1-5 and their parents/caregivers. Space is limited, so please sign up each week on the library’s website.

The Investors’ Roundtable Saturday, April 9th at 3:00 p.m. This group welcomes both novice and veteran investors. The April topic will include 3M Corporation, as well as a look at recent markets. Please register here. Note that at this indoor meeting, unvaccinated patrons will be requested to wear masks.

B.Y.O. Book Group April 12th at 6:00 p.m. Our B.Y.O. Book Group is meeting once again at Casa Cassara Winery’s Solvang tasting room! The April title is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. This title is instantly available as either an e-book or e-audiobook on Hoopla. Those who want to “bring their own” are welcome to read, and share, any title set in Appalachia or America in the 1930’s! Register online to reserve a seat.

Book Club for Kids Our Book Club will continue to meet online, but on April 30th at 3pm there will be an additional in-person meeting, just for fun!  This is a group for ages 8-12. April’s book is The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. Sign up here for the online meetings, April 13th and 27th;  and here for the in-person meeting on April 30th.

April Craft Kits:  Seed Bombs!  Celebrate Earth Day by making some colorful seed bombs to plant or give away (the seeds are drought-tolerant wildflowers). The free kits are available in the Solvang library hallway while supplies last.

Facility Updates

The Multipurpose Room at Goleta Valley Library is available for reservations once again. Please contact the library for availability and details. View the Rental Policy and complete an application here.

The Los Olivos and Santa Ynez Libraries are now open once again on Saturdays.

For more information on programs and services at the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org.

Thank you for your interest and support in our libraries. Happy Reading!