Read Books, Earn Prizes and Attend Special Events at the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries
The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are the place to be this summer! This year’s Summer Reading Program, Adventure Begins at Your Library, kicked off in mid-June with over 1,600 visits across all libraries during opening weekend (June 15 & 16). At Goleta Valley Library, nearly 250 patrons participated in a themed Scavenger Hunt and over 50 earnest teen volunteers earned community service hours while distributing Reading Logs and answering questions about the program, as excited families looked forward to a story-filled summer. Together, the Buellton and Solvang libraries had 70 people sign up for the Summer Reading Program the first weekend.
Goleta Valley Library Children’s Librarian Kaeley Christensen said, “I am thrilled at the turnout for our Summer Reading Program so far. It is wonderful to see the kids come in so excited about reading books and sharing stories with our teen volunteers this summer. The enthusiasm is catching, as our adult participation has increased this year as well!”
If you haven’t picked up your Reading Log yet, don’t worry! The program runs through July 27th and Reading Logs are available at Goleta Valley Library, Solvang Library, Buellton Library, and the Bookvan.
How It Works: All ages are encouraged to participate in this annual celebration of literacy and lifelong learning. Children in grades K-6 earn prizes for every five books or 300 minutes they read, and teen participants (grades 7-12) earn prizes for every book they read. Similarly, adults 18+ receive one prize drawing ticket for each book they read, which they can enter in the library’s weekly prize drawings. Reading in all formats is welcome, including print books, graphic novels, eBooks, and audiobooks. Click here to access digital content for free with your library card through the e-Library.
Fun-filled special events are also an exciting part of the Summer Reading Program. Each week, programs, activities and performances are provided for free at the Goleta, Solvang and Buellton Libraries. Don’t miss these upcoming special events at Goleta Valley Library:
4th of July Craft for Kids
Wednesday, July 3rd from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Summer Craft for Adults
Saturday, July 6th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Camping-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Tuesday, July 9th – Sunday, July 14th All Day
Hula Show with “Hula Anyone”
Saturday, July 13th from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Teen Craft: Morse Code & Friendship Bracelets
Thursday, July 18th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Storyteller Alan Salazar
Saturday, July 20th from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Franklin Haynes Marionettes: Frankie’s Toy Box!
Wednesday, July 24th from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Drop-Off: Thursday, July 25th from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Pick-Up: Saturday, July 27th from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
View the full Calendar of Events here. We look forward to seeing you at the library this summer!
The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to the generous local businesses and organizations who have provided amazing prizes that inspire readers to reach and exceed their reading goals: Albertson’s, Anna’s Bakery, Birkholms Bakery & Cafe, Blenders in the Grass, The Book Loft, Brick Barn Winery, The California Nature Art Museum, Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard, Chipotle, Chomp!, The Coffee House by Chomp, Community Clayworks, The Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, Enjoy Bagels & Sweets, The Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley, Goleta Train Depot, Golf N Stuff, Habit Burger Grill, Ice in Paradise, Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates, Isla Vista Food Co-op, Islands Restaurant, Kona Ice, Kyle’s Kitchen, Lighthouse Coffee, Los Arroyos, Maritime Museum, Mother Hubbard’s Restaurant, MOXI Museum, Mystic Merchant, New Frontiers Natural Marketplace & Deli, Ocean Nails & Spa, Old Town Coffee, Paragon Academy Goleta, Powell Peralta, Queen Cup Coffee, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Santa Barbara Blueberries, Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Parks-Janeway Carriage House, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Solvang Bakery, Solvang Flavors, Solvang Theaterfest, South Coast Deli, South Coast Montessori, Starbucks Coffee, Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA, Timbers, Vega Vineyards, and Woodstock’s Pizza.
Pictured: Puppet Show at Goleta Valley Library June 22, 2024