Goleta has big dreams for the interior design of the Goleta Valley Library, but not the cash to bring those dreams to life.

While the city received a $4.2 million grant for accessibility improvements at the 500 N. Fairview Ave. building, the grant doesn’t include funds for indoor designs or new furniture.

In September, staff will ask the Goleta City Council for permission to start a capital campaign to raise funds, according to Goleta’s Neighborhood Services director, JoAnne Plummer.

The campaign would be led by the city in collaboration with Friends of the Goleta Valley Library. 

In the meantime, the City Council authorized staff on Tuesday to solicit bids for a construction contract for the building improvements. The council also reviewed preliminary design ideas.

The ideas include adding meeting pods for patrons to conduct calls and meetings, self-checkout stations, soft furniture in the children’s area and access to an outdoor children’s space, said Jeffrey Miller of Jeffrey Miller Architect and Design, who is handling the architectural and engineering aspects of the project.

Most of the library’s existing furniture will be used again after the renovations, but for new furniture, Miller said they are looking into comfortable pieces that can easily be moved around and used for multiple purposes. 

Miller said the goal is to improve accessibility while extending the lifespan of the building.

“The building itself is really good. We really like the library, so the intent here is not to do anything that’s a substantial change to the exterior or substantially changes the appearance of the library,” Miller said. “We’re really just trying to extend the functional life of it.”

The renovations will include a dedicated Friends of the Library bookstore, automated doors, upgraded windows, a new emergency exit, modern and accessible restrooms, and an accessible work room and staff lounge.

Additionally, in order to bring the electrical and utility room up to code, the Boysel Children’s Room will be rededicated to an area just off the main library entrance, Miller said.

Councilman James Kyriaco said he liked the idea of meeting pods and also wanted to see a vending machine for people to check out laptops. He also liked the flow of the new space in the designs.

“What I really like about this is that there are distinct sections, but it still just kind of flows. I think it’s going to be great,” Kyriaco said. “When I look at the circulation diagram, I get a lot of hope that the children’s center could really be an area where everyone could be welcomed but that other areas could be great, too.”

The council got to see early conceptual renderings meant to show the volume of the space. While the renderings are all white, Miller said the actual space won’t be all white, but they don’t have finalized materials and details to show yet. 

The renderings show that on the children’s side of the library, the ceiling will be pushed up to open up the space. 

The Goleta Valley Library closed in April. Staff opened a temporary express location at 6500 Hollister Ave. that will be open during library construction.

The city has to complete the project by June 2027, a stipulation of the $4.2 million grant.

Earlier this month, the Goleta Library Advisory Commission reviewed feedback from patrons on what they want to see in the renovated library. 

In a survey, residents shared that they want to see interactive elements for children, modern seating, and places to work on laptops and take meetings.