As the weather cools down the Goleta Valley Library, 500 N. Fairview Ave., offers a cozy spot to browse bookshelves for new releases and old favorites, as well as participate in a variety of programs for all ages.

Visits to the library in December and January offer the following programs:

Winter Reading Program
: Now until Jan. 26 


Community members of all ages are invited to participate in the Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries’ 13th annual Winter Reading Program. The 2024/25 theme — Reading is Cool! — encourages patrons to read their way through the winter months with the library’s collection of print and digital titles.

How it works:
• Participants complete one entry slip for every book they read during the program and enter them into prize drawing boxes at their local branch for a chance to win prizes in weekly drawings.
• All tickets submitted during the program will be entered into a grand prize drawing for everyone who participated.
• Entry boxes for each age group are at the Goleta Valley Library, Bookvan, and Solvang Library.

Participants can read in whatever format they prefer, including print books, graphic novels, eBooks, and audiobooks. The library is adding new books to its collection each week.

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries thanks the sponsors of the 2024/25 Winter Reading Program.

Elf on the Shelf: Now until Dec. 22.

For ages 12 and under, 
The Elf on the Shelf is back and up to his usual antics. Children may come to Goleta Valley Library and find the Elf for a prize.

Scavenger Hunt
: Now until Dec. 29.


Library patrons ages 12 and under
 are invited to participate in the winter-themed scavenger hunt and enter to win a bundle of wintry stories.

The Scavenger Hunt changes weekly, giving kids a new chance to win each week; three prizes will be drawn at the end of the month.

Note, the library will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, 25, 31, and Jan. 1.

Visit the e-Library at www.GoletaValleyLibrary.org for 24/7 access to eBooks, audiobooks, music, movies, magazines and more for free with your library card.