The Friends of the Santa Barbara Public Library invites the community to a reception unveiling its new Eastside Library painted Book Bench, a whimsical, functional piece of art that celebrates imagination, reading, and community spirit.

The event will be 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Eastside Library, 1102 E. Montecito St., Santa Barbara.

The bench project is a gift from the Friends of the Santa Barbara Public Library, made possible through the creativity, generosity, and collaboration of many partners.

The library thanks the following groups and idividuals:
• Author Janet Lucy for inspiring the project with her book “Makana is a Gift – Makana es un Regalo.” 
• Artist Ann Hefferman for beautifully interpreting the original illustrations by Alexis Cantú.
• Translator Marcos O. Martinez for bringing the story to life in Spanish.
• Santa Barbara Beautiful, for helping dreams bloom in our community.
• Library Director Brandon Beaudette, for finding the bench its perfect home.
• Deckers Gives, for helping “Makana is a Gift” take flight.

Attendees will be offered light refreshments; have the chance to win one of 10 copies of “Makana is a Gift – Makana es un Regalo” in a raffle; and buy signed copies of the book.