Regarding your article, “ City Not Renewing Membership with Black Gold Library Cooperative System ”: One of the things that I have most appreciated about our library is access to books that are not in its catalog. During the pandemic, when this service was curtailed, I certainly felt its loss. I probably average around five library books checked out at any given time, and at least two usually come from other libraries.
I find it unsettling that the library made a decision to withdraw from the Black Gold Cooperative System because of an inability to come to an agreement among administrators, without considering the needs of their patrons.
Library Director Jessica Cadiente says in the article: “Anecdotally, we know that Santa Barbara readers have specific and unique interests not necessarily shared by residents elsewhere.” Huh? I’d really like to know more about the “specific and unique interests” here in Santa Barbara that are not shared elsewhere. Details, please.