New Goleta Valley Library Bookvan Rolls Into Isla Vista

Ribbon Cutting Held to Kick off Bookvan’s First Day of Service

Library Service is now rolling in Isla Vista. A ribbon-cutting was held on October 4, 2021, at the Isla Vista Community Center to unveil the new Goleta Valley Library Bookvan and kick off the first day of service. Local dignitaries, Isla Vista stakeholders and community members turned out to see the new custom solar powered van in person and cheer as the blue ribbon was cut marking the beginning of on-the-go library programming in Isla Vista. Watch a video of the ribbon cutting here.

City of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte began by saying, “We are really excited to introduce our mini-library on wheels to the community. We hope that by bringing our knowledgeable library staff, books and materials to Isla Vista, our Bookvan will help remove barriers and increase access to library service.” The Mayor concluded her speech with, “We hope that today will be the beginning of many cherished Bookvan library memories in Isla Vista.”

Senator Monique Limón said, “In 2019, I worked to secure $200,000 in state funds to support the City of Goleta in delivering direct library services to the residents and families of Isla Vista. Library services are vital resources that serve as community hubs for people to gather, share information, and promote literacy. I am glad to see this project come to fruition and to see the benefits it will bring to our community for years to come.”

Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann added, “Libraries are palaces for the people, and librarians the guardians. The Goleta Valley Library has thought in a different way how to bring the palace to the people. It gives community members a chance to establish a working relationship with the librarians and library. We are really excited with what is happening here and bringing the appropriate services to the Isla Vista Community, covering the whole span of ages.”

Isla Vista Community Services District Board President Spencer Brandt said, “This is the first time in our community’s over 70-year history that there will be library services accessible to all in Isla Vista. It is incredibly important not just for those students who live here in our community who are college students, but for those who are pre-school, elementary, middle school and high school students, to have services that are publicly accessible and are brought into the community.”

Isla Vista Recreation & Park District General Manager Kimberly Kiefer said, “The concept of bringing books and education in a public space and having it accessible is key. The disparity of people who don’t have access to internet, who don’t have access to books and online things, even on their phone, is real and happens every day.”

The Bookvan will provide library services to the wider Isla Vista community with the delivery of books, audiovisual materials, Library of Things items, technology, craft kits for kids, honor system books, free books, and more. Library cards will be issued to anyone who wants one. There will be WiFi available near the van so that people can download some of the more than one million items available through the Goleta Valley Library databases. The specialty van will be able to hold approximately 500 books and will be powered with Wi-Fi and a solar battery.

The Bookvan will operate Monday through Friday with stops throughout the Isla Vista area. A schedule is available here on the Library’s website. For more information on the Library Bookvan contact Library Director Allison Gray at 805-562-5502 or agray@cityofgoleta.org.

Pictures of the event below: