SANTA BARBARA, CA – May 17, 2021 - Santa Barbara Public Library will increase access to buildings for expanded library services beginning June 1st, 2021. SBPL has been meeting the needs of the community through adjusted service models in response to COVID-19, including Sidewalk Service, Grab n’ Go and browsing, homebound delivery, chromebook and hotspots, and our continued commitment to customer service, and is now ready to enter the next phase of reopening. To prepare the buildings for reopening, all SBPL locations will be closed on Saturday, May 29th.
The public will be invited to visit the Library for up to 30 minutes at a time. To ensure that all are able to access the Library, patrons will be limited to one visit per day. Each building will have limited capacity to ensure social distancing and are set at 25% building capacity, including Library staff. Self-serve holds pickup and self-checkout stations will be available. Stacks will be opened for browsing. Computers will be available for use, however, side-by-side assistance from staff will not be available, as staff will still maintain 6 feet of distance from patrons. Patrons can access copiers or printers. Wifi will be available for patrons to use with their own devices. Limited seating and tables will be available, and all furniture will be spaced out more than 6 feet. Staff are able to assist with account questions, help accessing or locating library resources, and other quick reference questions. For those who need in depth research assistance, Reserve a Librarian appointments are available.
The Library will continue to require masks to be worn by all patrons 2 years of age and older at all times when inside Library buildings, even if this practice is discontinued by local public health orders. Read the full outline of health and safety procedures and full reopening document on the Library’s website . The Library does not plan to offer in person programming inside the building at this time.