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Welcome to the Library Reading Corner
for December 2025
A Note from City Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo:
Welcome to our final Reading Corner of 2025 library patrons! As we reflect on the months that have passed, we are deeply grateful to our community for your abundant support of our library system. It has been a joy to see your children chasing bubbles at our storytimes, to connect with loyal teen volunteers during the Summer Reading Program, and to engage with our vibrant adults and seniors at lively craft hours and book club meetings. Your enthusiasm and feedback for library services helps keep our presence strong and makes serving the patrons in our neighborhoods a sincere joy.
As we turn the page to 2026, we are looking forward to another great year full of connection and activity. Our team has been working behind the scenes to plan new outreach visits and design creative programs for all ages to enjoy. Construction will begin at our Fairview location, and the launch of our first-ever capital campaign will raise funds to refresh this space based on community feedback received earlier this year. Please stay tuned for exciting details coming very soon.
We wish you a cozy and book-filled conclusion to your year and look forward to serving you in 2026!
Elizabeth & the Library Team
-Elizabeth Saucedo,
City Librarian
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All library locations will be closed on Wednesday 12/24, Thursday 12/25, Wednesday 12/31, and Thursday 1/1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Our e-Library is open 24/7 for books, audiobooks, comics, movies, news articles, and more!
The popular Zip Books Program has returned! Funded by a grant through the California State Library, this program enables patrons to request titles not owned in the Black Gold catalog to be sent to their home at no cost. Contact your local library via phone or in person for more information and to place a request today!
Our seasonal Winter Reading Program will begin later this month and run through the end of January. All ages can enter to win prizes simply by reading books! Participation will take place through our online logging tool Beanstack, with paper options available, too. More details will be shared in early December.
Thanks to a generous partnership with Ice in Paradise, Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Library patrons receive free ice skating admission the first Sunday of every month. Skating sessions are available from 1:30pm - 3:30pm or from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. All you need is your Goleta Valley Library or Santa Ynez Valley Library card to claim your the last free skating admission* of the year on December 7, 2025!
*A $5 skate rental fee applies; One library card per skater; Skaters must be a minimum of 3 years old
We are pleased to share that an updated schedule of Bookvan visits will be starting next month on Tuesday, January 6. The schedule will now include our five most popular and accessible stops on a regular weekly basis: Isla Vista Community Services District Community Center, Estero Park, UCSB Orfalea Family Children’s Center , Isla Vista Elementary School, and Friendship Manor. For the first time, Bookvan service will also be available on the weekends as part of the new Tuesday – Saturday schedule. The updated schedule will be shared on our Bookvan webpage and on our printed calendar.
We look forward to bringing the library to you!
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Goleta Valley Library
Thursday, December 4, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Goleta Community Center, Room 3
(5679 Hollister Ave)
Come make a Winter Gnome! Join us for a fun and easy craft that will look so cute on your gifts, on the tree, or just hanging around. All supplies are provided.
For Adults.
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Saturday, December 13, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Goleta Community Center
(5679 Hollister Ave)
Get ready for a homemade holiday! Join us for a creative afternoon of textile crafting, music, and fun. Bring a friend and your gift list!
For all ages.
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Saturday, December 20,1:00pm - 2:00pm
Goleta Community Center, Room 3
(5679 Hollister Ave)
Join us for the Goleta Valley Library's bi-monthly Horror Book Club. Our pick is The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monica Kim.
For Adults.
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Fridays
Baby & Me from 10:00am - 10:30am
Wiggly from 10:30am - 11:00am
Visit the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan and check out our storytimes at these great community locations!
- 12/5 - Stow Grove Park (580 N. La Patera Lane)
- 12/12 - Evergreen Park (near playground on 7500 Evergreen Drive, off Brandon Drive)
- 12/19 - Tucker's Grove Park (4800 Cathedral Oaks Road)
- 12/26 - Storytime Winter Break
Click here to view the full schedule of Bookvan stops.
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Mondays, 10:30am - 11:00am
Join in the fun with Wiggly Storytime! Join us for a few stories, songs and activities. After storytime, feel free to stay and play with others!
Best for ages 6 months - 5 years old.
Friday, December 19, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Join the Buellton Bookworms book club for a lively discussion of this month's bring-your-own-book theme. The December Theme is “Family" – feel free to come to the front desk if you need any help finding something on-theme to read. We meet in the Buellton Library Community Room at 1pm. See you there!
For adults and teens.
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Saturday, December 20, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Drop in any time between 1:00pm - 3:00pm and make projects for all ages! Join us to make festive ornaments, cards, write a letter to Santa, or find a holiday story! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! All supplies are provided, and the crafts change every month. No registration required!
Best for ages 6 months - 5 years old.
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Wednesday, December 3, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species, is a free lecture with Matt Ritter presented by the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society. The presentation will be available in person and on zoom. Register for the link here: syvnature.org
For all ages.
Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 10:30am - 11:00am
Join us for stories, songs, and more! Please be aware there will be no storytime on December 23, 24, 30, and 31 due to library Holiday closures.
Best for Preschool age.
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Thursday, December 18, 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Are you looking for a place to work on your fiber arts projects with a fun and supportive group of people? Crochet, embroidery, knitting etc. our Fiber Arts Club is just the place for you! For adults and teens!
For Adults and Teens.
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Stay Connected
Keep up to date on our fun programs, new materials, free resources, and more!
Visit www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org for the latest information.
P.S. If you received this e-newsletter from a friend and would like to subscribe, click here.
Thank you for your interest and support in our libraries. Happy Reading!
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