Daily Archives: October 31, 2023

Meet Goleta Valley Library’s New Children’s Librarian

Kaeley Christensen has strong ties to Goleta as Librarian and Resident

The Goleta Valley Library has a new Children’s Librarian. Kaeley Christensen is a familiar face to the Goleta community having worked the past five years as the Library Media Specialist for Mountain View Elementary School in the Goleta Union School District.  She has a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State and brings a wealth of experience to the position. As an added bonus, Kaeley is a longtime patron of Goleta Valley Library herself and understands the importance of creating a nurturing and welcoming environment for children and families at this cherished community hub.

City of Goleta’s Neighborhood Services Director said, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Kaeley Christensen join our team as the new Goleta Valley Library Children’s Librarian. Kaeley has a wonderful background with elementary school-aged children and parents during her time at Mountain View school. She will be responsible for overseeing youth services at Goleta Valley Library, including programming, collection development, and outreach.”

Kaeley said “As a longtime member of the community, the Goleta Valley Library holds a special place in my heart, and I am incredibly honored to be in this role, serving our young patrons. I look forward to planning new events, as well as supporting all the well-loved programming already in place. I can’t wait to meet everyone and help you find your next favorite book!”

As the Children’s Librarian, Kaeley also does story times and hosts field trips.

When Kaeley isn’t busy at the library, she enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones.

Please join us in giving Kaeley a warm welcome as she brings her creative storytelling skills and passion for education to our community. Be sure to say hello next time you’re at the Goleta Valley Library!

The Goleta Valley Library, located at 500 N. Fairview Avenue, provides essential library services to the City of Goleta as well as the unincorporated County areas of the greater Goleta Valley, Isla Vista, Hope Ranch, and Gaviota

City Receives $4.2 Million Library Grant

Grant Funding to be Used to Improve Goleta Valley Library Facility

The California State Library has awarded the City of Goleta a $4.278 million dollar grant to be used for improvements to the Goleta Valley Library’s (GVL) facility. The GVL recently celebrated fifty years at its location at 500 N. Fairview and provides essential library services to the City of Goleta as well as the unincorporated County areas of the greater Goleta Valley, Isla Vista, Hope Ranch, and Gaviota. The funding is earmarked exclusively for Library-related infrastructure, supporting critical maintenance needs, safety improvements, energy-efficiency, and physical access.

Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet said, “We are grateful for this grant funding from the California State Library to ensure that this well-loved community hub that serves an average of 260,000 patrons a year is structurally sound, safe, and accessible to everyone who comes through its doors for years to come.” 

The Round Two of Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program funding is a $5.348 million project (including a City match of $1.069 million) and includes the following improvements to the Goleta Valley Library:  

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Restrooms Upgrade
  • Modernizing and Replacement of HVAC Systems
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Path of Travel
  • Life Safety and Security Installation and Upgrades
  • LED Lighting Retrofits
  • Doors/Windows Replacements and Upgrades
  • Fascia Repair and Exterior Paint

The project would be completed by mid-2027.

The Goleta City Council is expected to consider approval of the grant funding agreement at its December 5, 2023, Council meeting.

PoweredUp Goleta: Solar + Battery Storage with No Up-Front Costs

Watch Lunch N’ Learn Webinar Recording  

As part of the City’s launch of the PoweredUp Goleta program with Electriq Power Holdings, Inc., the City hosted a virtual Lunch ‘N Learn October 11th, where nearly 50 participants learned about a new program for increased access to residential solar + battery storage for Goleta homeowners.

PoweredUp Goleta is a City-approved program that allows homeowners to have a turnkey solar + battery storage system installed in their home. The program provides everything needed for energy independence, including solar panels, batteries, software, project management, financing, installation, maintenance, and grid services at zero up-front costs. There are no income, credit score or property lien requirements to participate.

If you missed the Lunch ‘N Learn but are interested in learning more about the PoweredUp Goleta program, you are invited to watch a recording of the program. The recorded session includes a 10-minute presentation and a Q&A session with answers to over 40 questions from participants about the program, including how city residents can acquire a complete solar + storage system at no upfront cost. Residents interested in learning more about the program, the process of participation, and enrollment can watch the recorded webinar by visiting www.CityofGoleta.org/PoweredUp.

By installing a complete solar + battery storage system through PoweredUp Goleta, residents can lower their electric bills, be prepared for power outages and reduce their carbon footprint, creating a healthier and safer environment. Solar panels allow homeowners to power their homes using clean energy from the sun. When coupled with a battery storage system, excess energy can be stored and used to power the home when utility costs are high to save money, or during a utility power outage to ensure families stay safe and comfortable.

To learn more about PoweredUp Goleta, visit www.PoweredUpNetwork.com.

New Parental Leave Policies for City Staff

The City of Goleta will soon have a comprehensive parental leave program for its employees giving parents peace of mind that they will have the time to bond with their new child without added financial worry. At the October 17, 2023, Goleta City Council meeting, the Council adopted new policies that will provide staff with at least ten weeks of pregnancy disability leave and at least six weeks of parental bonding leave, without losing their pay and benefit contributions, and without having to use their accrued vacation and sick time.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We are proud to be able to offer our employees this benefit. Welcoming a new child is an intense and joyful time for a family. This new policy will ensure that our employees don’t have to worry about losing pay and health benefits, or exhausting their leave balances, during a pregnancy. It will also allow all new parents paid time away from work to bond with their new child.”

District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín added, “As a working mom of young children, I understand firsthand how vital this policy is. It is important that our City employees are supported with family leave policies that allow them and their children to thrive. I hope that Goleta can be an example for other public agencies and businesses in doing all they can to support parents in the workplace.”

Currently, City employees who take time off for pregnancy or to bond with a new child often end up exhausting their leave balances and transitioning to only partially paid (via California State Disability or Paid Family Leave) or fully unpaid leave. Parents may also end up exhausting their City-paid contribution to medical benefits, requiring them to pay the full premium amount during parental bonding leave. The new policies will supplement California State Disability or Paid Family Leave payments to provide better income replacement and benefit continuation for new parents.

Multiple studies have shown improved physical and mental health outcomes for parents and children related to the availability of paid pregnancy and parental leave, and resulting reductions in negative outcomes such as interfamily abuse. The City hopes that the existence of these policies further demonstrates its commitment to families and has a positive impact on employee recruitment, retention, and engagement.

The City Council meeting is available to watch on the City website at https://tinyurl.com/ym28fmyn. The staff report can also be found here: https://tinyurl.com/4rv7zcnp.