When libraries closed about a week ago, Santa Barbara staff quickly transitioned to taking requests for pickup book bundles, and were flooded with requests.
They stopped the service Friday, with news of the statewide shelter-at-home order.
“We received hundreds of requests for book bundles, and were only able to fill a fraction of them. To those we weren’t able to get to, we’re truly sorry. We’ll be pausing for a minute to contemplate what library service will look like in the short term, and the long term. We’re committed to finding new ways to meet your information and educational needs,” library staff said in an email.
For now, the libraries are investing more heavily in their digital resources, which can be found online by clicking here.
There are options for media of all kinds, including Overdrive for audiobooks and e-books; Kanopy for films, documentaries and The Great Courses; Hoopla for audiobooks, e-books, music, movies and television shows; RBdigital for downloadable magazines, and more.
Library staff also have been making Storytime Live! videos, which are archived on the YouTube page available by clicking here.
Book drops are locked at all Santa Barbara Library System locations (Central, Eastside, Montecito and Carpinteria) since they are not accepting returns anymore. They’re not checking out any books, so the shelves and storage areas are literally full, library staff said.
The five Santa Maria Public Library locations closed Tuesday and canceled all programming. Digital resources — databases, downloadable e-books, movies, magazines, audiobooks and more — are available all the time. Research resources are also available through the library website.
Goleta Library system locations — Goleta Valley, Solvang and Buellton — also have digital resources available while the libraries themselves are closed.
Patrons can download e-books, audiobooks, movies, television shows, graphic novels, and magazines, and get access to the new Kanopy streaming service, all through the library website.
“Patrons can also order books or audiobooks not owned by the library for home delivery by filling out a Zip Books request form. If you would like reading recommendations of downloadable books, fill out the Personalized Reading List form and receive a list just for you,” library staff said.
Lompoc libraries will be closed at least through April 5, and digital resources are on the website.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
