The construction project at the Santa Barbara Central Library is moving to a new phase in May, and the library will be temporarily closed May 8-11 for scheduled work on the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) elevator project.

Construction crews work on Michael Towbes Library Plaza outside the Main Library in downtown Santa Barbara.
Construction crews work on Michael Towbes Library Plaza outside the Main Library in downtown Santa Barbara. Credit: Courtesy photo

The construction work will impact air quality, so staff and the public will not be able to access the main library during this work period

The Faulkner Galleries, which are on a separate HVAC system and can be sealed off from the rest of the library, will remain open.

All scheduled programming, including early literacy classes and special events, well be unaffected. Room rentals will continue as planned.

Also, starting May 5, construction crews for the Michael Towbes Library Plaza will begin laying the pavers, including the path to the Anapamu Entrance. While crews complete that work, the main entrance to Central Library from Anapamu Street will be closed for four-six weeks.

Patrons can still enter the Central Library from the Library Avenue Entrance near the City Parking Lot #7 off Anacapa Street.

For the May 8-11 period, the Faulkner Galleries will be open and available for art viewing during Central Library’s regular open hours, except for scheduled room rentals, but seating and study space are unavailable.

The Library on the Go van will have a pop-up stop on the Anapamu block of State Street, 9:45-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 10.

Holds pickup for items at Central Library will not be accessible during this time, but pickup by dates will be extended. Patrons may request their holds be routed to Eastside or Montecito libraries in advance via their online account in the library catalog or by speaking with staff before transit.

Book drops will remain open. Since Santa Barbara Public Library (SBPL) does not charge overdue fines and the items will not be able to fill requests for other patrons during this time, library staff urge patrons to keep their items, as there will be limited space to store returned them during the closure period.

Also unavailable at Central Library during the closure are: SBPL Works! appointments, literacy tutoring space, computer use, printing, microfilm access, and reference assistance. Patrons can use the Eastside Library for these services.

Library staff will be available via SBPL’s main phone line and chat service during business hours.