We are excited to announce that Zip Books are back!

What is the Zip Book Program? Let us share the latest way that you can get books that aren’t in our collection.

Patrons with a Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries card in good standing can complete a form to request books, large print books, or books on CD to be mailed directly to their home from an Amazon bookseller. Zip Books are purchased with grant funds made available through the California State Library, so payment is not required for your requests.

To be eligible for the Zip Book Program, your request must meet this criteria:

• Title is not already owned by the Goleta Valley Library, Solvang Library, Buellton Library or Isla Vista Bookvan
• Title must be available from Amazon for less than $50 in print or large print formats, or less than $75 in book on CD format.
• Requests are limited to FIVE books per household per month. There is no due date; items should be returned in-person to your home library when finished reading with a note that says “Zip Book Return.” Please do not return Zip Books in the book drops.

Ready to get started? Complete our Zip Books Request form here.

Questions? Email zipbooks@cityofgoleta.org

Happy reading!

This Project is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

After 37 years of library work, 15 of those at the Goleta Valley Library, Director Allison Gray has retired; her last day was March 24, 2023. The City of Goleta wants to express its sincere appreciation to Ms. Gray for the positive impact she has made during her tenure.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “Her commitment to the importance of literacy and accessibility will continue to benefit Goleta for generations to come.”  

Neighborhood Services Director Jaime Valdez said, “Words don’t do justice to her magnificent career. Ms. Gray is incredibly bright and caring for her staff, the library, and our community.”

Corinne Horowitz, President of the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library group, said, “Allison has been a wonderful Director. She is very understanding of and responsive to the needs of the patrons, and always been helpful to the Friends and our group of volunteers.”

Ms. Gray’s passion for public libraries has always been a life-long affair. She said, “My mother was a public library director in East Hampton, New York, and I am proud to have followed in her very big shoes. That’s 59 years of being backstage in libraries.”

Ms. Gray’s library journey began in 1987 as a Library Assistant in East Hampton. After receiving her Masters Degree in Library Science, she found work on Long Island as the Head of Children’s Services and Assistant Director at South County Library in Bellport, New York. Following this, she became Library Director for the John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor, New York, until moving to California in 2008. After a brief time in Palmdale, she joined the Goleta Valley Library as Branch Supervisor, a role she held for 10 years until being promoted to Library Director.

A staunch advocate of youth literacy and user accessibility, Ms. Gray also served on various committees that included the 2001 Newberry Award Committee, 2009 Caldecott Committee, Notable Children’s Books Committee, Notable Children’s Audio Recordings Committee, Batchelder Award for Best Children’s Book Translated from a Foreign Language, Best Books for Reluctant Readers (Teens), and also chaired the 2023 Excellence in Non-Fiction for Teens Book Award.

Ms. Gray’s experience and dedication helped lead the Goleta Valley Library System through the COVID-19 closures. She was recently presented with a City Tile at the Library’s 50 Years at Fairview Celebration event on March 11, 2023.

At her last City Council meeting on March 9, 2023, Ms. Gray said, “I know that the library will continue the tradition of excellent customer service. I really appreciate having had the opportunity to work for the City of Goleta and help carry the library services forward.”

On behalf of the City of Goleta and the lives you have impacted, we want to wish Allison Gray a well-deserved retirement. 

Pictured left-to-right: Library Director Allison Gray with her City Tile, Mayor Paula Perotte, and Neighborhood Services Director Jaime Valdez

Watch Video Highlight Reel of the Milestone Event

While Saturdays are typically a popular day at the Goleta Valley Library (GVL) located at 500 N. Fairview Avenue, Saturday, March 11, 2023, was especially busy. Patrons of all ages gathered for the GVL’s 50th at Fairview celebration. Throughout the two-hour event, patrons came to pay tribute to a library that has given so much to the community over the past five decades. Watch a recap of the special afternoon here: https://youtu.be/oA7e1cSK7PQ.

Mayor Paula Perotte, joined by the entire Goleta City Council, issued a proclamation for the GVL in recognition of its golden birthday and rich history of serving the community. She said, “It’s a pleasure to see so many people here today and so many different faces and ages. Why? Because you all enjoy and love this library. It’s more than just a library with books, it’s a library of things. It’s a safe place, a safe environment, for anyone to come and mingle and gather. We are so very fortunate to have this library.”

Community leaders with special connections to the GVL who shared their thoughts on this meaningful occasion included Santa Barbara County Supervisors Joan Hartmann and Laura Capps, Ethan Bertrand from Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s Office, Library Advisory Commissioner Lori Goodman, Friends of the Goleta Valley Library President Corinne Horowitz, Goleta Union School District Superintendent Diana Roybal and Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martin whose 1st District includes GVL. The speakers all echoed the importance of having access to a public library and the impact it can have not just on one’s life, but the community as a whole. They praised the work of the Library staff and the more than 100 volunteers who keep the place running smoothly.  

A highlight of the event was finding out that one of the guests attending, Judy Arbuckle, took part in moving books into the library 50 years ago when it opened. She received a round of applause from the audience and shared some of her memories.

Another special moment came when Mayor Perotte and Neighborhood Services Director Jaime Valdez presented outgoing Library Director Allison Gray, who is retiring on March 24, 2023, with a City Tile. After 36 years of working in library service including 15 years at the GVL, leaving is bittersweet for Ms. Gray. Many guests wore the color gray in honor of her.

Jaime Valdez said, “Allison is a gem of a person. She really wants to leave the library in good shape when she leaves because that is the kind of person she is. She is making sure we are prepared for the next 50 years.”

Allison Gray, said, “What makes this library great are three things. The staff who care so much about the people who come to the library. The volunteers, without whom we would be sunk. Thirdly are the users. We are so glad we have been able to provide such great customer service to you. I look forward to joining you as a patron soon.”

Following the tributes, the attendees sang Happy 50th Birthday to the library and cheered with sparkling apple cider and mini-cupcakes.

Guests were entertained throughout the event by library staff member Nicole Lvoff and Joe Woodard. Attendees also participated in a “My Favorite Thing about the Goleta Valley Library” activity, photo station, scavenger hunt and signature frame.

“50 Years at Fairview” commemorative bookmarks were also handed out. If you were unable to attend, you can still pick up a bookmark at the library while supplies last.

Thank you to everyone who attended this special event and for your support of our Goleta Valley Library.

Group photo (left-to-right): GUSD Superintendent Dr. Diana Galindol-Roybal, Ethan Bertrand (Assemblymember Gregg Hart’s representative), 1st District Councilmember Luz Reyes- Martín, Library Director Allison Gray, Councilmember Stuart Kasdin, 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Neighborhood Services Director Jaime Valdez, 2nd District Supervisor Laura Capps, Mayor Paula Perotte, Friends of the Goleta Valley Library President Corinne Horowitz, Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards, 2nd District Councilmember James Kyriaco and Library Advisory Commissioner Lori Goodman

Library Director Allison Gray with her City Tile

Nicole Lvoff and Joe Woodard performing

Photo station

“My Favorite Thing about GVL” activity

Judy Arbuckle, original GVL at Fairview staff member

“Cheers to 50 Years” group toast