The 2022 Summer Reading Program will kick off on Friday, June 3rd and run through Saturday, July 30th. This year our program will be fully in-person for the first time in two years and includes categories for all ages! This year's theme – Oceans of Possibilities – encourages our community to explore the amazing world of reading and to discover the variety of resources available at your library.

As in past years, children and teens will be able to earn prizes at different milestones based on the number of books they read, and adults will be able to enter tickets in weekly prize drawings for each book they read. Reading in all formats is welcome, including print books, graphic novels, eBooks and audiobooks. To get started, visit us in-person at the Goleta Valley Library, Isla Vista Bookvan, Buellton Library, or Solvang Library to pick up a reading log!

Click here to view the full calendar of events and to see a list of the incredible prizes you can earn this summer at the Goleta Valley Library! Thank you to our local sponsors who generously donated reading incentives to this year’s program. Patrons of the Buellton and Solvang Libraries can visit their local libraries for more program and prize information.

The Goleta Valley Library has partnered with EBSCO Learning Express to provide you with free, unlimited access to interactive skill-building courses in math, reading and writing as well as a broad range of practice tests based on official exams such as the ACT, SAT, GED, ASVAB, Firefighter, Police Officer, Paramedic, U.S. Citizenship, Postal Worker, Cosmetology, Commercial Drivers License, Dental Assistant, Nursing School Entrance, and many more. Click here to access the site. Just register once and you can begin learning all kinds of things.  You don’t even need a library card!

Explore one of Santa Barbara’s most interactive experiences in science and creativity at the MOXI museum, the hands-on destination for families and curious minds of all ages. The Goleta Valley Library has purchased three Family Passes that you can check-out for one week at a time.  Each pass allows a family of five to visit MOXI for free. Any Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Library patron with a valid library card can place a hold request on the pass, but the pass must be picked up and returned to the Goleta Valley Library. If you are interested in placing a hold request, please visit our online catalog gvl.blackgold.org.

Shawn McMaster Magic Show

Saturday, June 11, 10am Solvang Library and 2pm Goleta Valley Library
Join us for a dazzling performance from renowned magician Shawn McMaster! You’ll be amazed by his performance and even learn a few tips for doing your own tricks, too. This family-friendly show will be filled with astonishment and hilarity, best for ages 5 and up.

Luce Puppet Co. Puppet Show: Splashy Sea Saga

Saturday, June 18th 10am Solvang Library and 2pm Goleta Valley Library
Enjoy a fantastic puppet show from Luce Puppet Company. In Splashy Sea Saga, you can sail the Seven Seas with Sailor Sam and his little pal Salty as they search for adventure, treasure and…a boat that won’t sink! Join in the slapstick hijinks and meet mythical creatures along the way in this performance the whole family will enjoy.

Goleta Valley Library Writers' Workshop

Saturday, June 4th at 12:30 p.m.
The Goleta Valley Library Writers' Workshop resumes in-person gatherings this June, after almost two years of virtual sessions (including a series of guest-author interviews). This is a forum for writers to share work, exchange feedback and discuss the tools of the trade. The workshop meets on the first Saturday of each month at 12:30 p.m., and is open to writers of every experience level from first-timers to seasoned pros.

Our upcoming discussion on June 4 has the topic: "When Words Collide: Saying Everything with (Almost) Nothing.” We look forward to seeing you in-person at the Goleta Valley Library for this workshop!

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

June 24 -25th 
Join us for this popular summer activity! Your favorite stuffed toy gets to explore the Goleta Valley Library for 24 hours at this fun sleepover. Drop them off on Friday, June 24 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. and pick them up the next afternoon from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. At pick up you will receive a goody bag and photos from their overnight adventure.

Fourth of July Craft

Wednesday, June 29^th from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Let’s celebrate Independence Day with some patriotic crafts! Stop by the Goleta Valley Library to create a red, white and blue treasure to take home and show off your 4^th of July spirit! This family-friendly craft is best for ages 10 and under. All supplies will be provided, no registration is required.

Buellton Library Summer Reading Kickoff on June 4th

We're kicking off our Summer Reading Program with a splash! Following the theme of Oceans of Possibilities, we are giving out free craft kits to build undersea creature race cars, with exclusive stickers. Come by during regular hours (11am – 4pm) on Saturday, June 4^th to pick up your craft kit! Once you've built and decorated your race car, bring it back to the library any time during the Summer Reading Program (June 4 – July 30) and see how fast your car can "swim" down the ramp in front of the building. We will be keeping track of everyone's times and distance on a leaderboard, so it will be a wild race to the finish!

Buellton Bookworms Book Club

Friday, June 17th 1:00 p.m.
Join in the conversation with our monthly online book club! This month we have chosen Alta California; from San Diego to San Francisco, a journey on foot to rediscover the Golden State by Nick Neely, a national best seller about one man's 650-mile journey up the coast of California. Weaving together human and natural history, Neely talks about the Native American History and the Spanish Missions. We have 10 copies of the book available for in-person pick up and additional electronic copies are available through our online catalog at gvl.blackgold.org. This virtual Book Discussion will be held on June 17^th via zoom. For more information and to register for the Zoom invite, please call (805) 688-3115.

Let’s Talk! With Lauren Mahakian

Thursday June 9th, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join memory care expert Lauren Mahakian for an open conversation about dementia held on the Solvang Library patio. When a member of the family shows signs of dementia or is diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other cognitive disorders, the entire family is impacted; questions of care and safety arise, as well as concerns about all the unknowns lying ahead

Lauren Mahakian, a certified dementia practitioner, speaker, educator and founder/CEO of Family Connect Memory Care, will address many of these issues during this free meeting.  Come with your questions, concerns, and allow Lauren to help you work through this process and journey in a loving, caring, and honest way.

Family Time at Solvang Library

This month, join us for one or more of our family-friendly shows. They will be held outdoors under the Sycamore tree. Bring a blanket and be ready for fun!

• Shawn McMaster Magic show- Saturday June 11, 10:00 a.m. Join us for this family-friendly show filled with astonishment and hilarity, best for ages 5 and up.
• Luce Puppets Splashy Sea Saga - Saturday June 18, 10:00 a.m. Join in the slapstick hijinks and meet mythical creatures along the way in this performance the whole family will enjoy
• Join us outdoors on the lawn with your favorite blanket as ventriloquist and master storyteller Randel McGee returns with his hilarious dragon friend Groark!

Book Club for Kids

Wednesday, June 15th 4:00 p.m.
Kids ages 8-11 are invited to participate in this month’s Book Club for Kids. The selected book that kids will be reading (or listening to) is Homer's The Odyssey. Gillian Cross's acclaimed adaption for children is available free to library users as an audiobook on Hoopla (along with her Iliad) and print copies will be available to the first ten children to sign up for the online meeting.