The temporary Goleta Valley Library Express location is officially opening on Wednesday, three months after the Fairview Avenue location closed for renovations, city spokesperson Kelly Hoover said.
Staff have been moving items to the leased temporary library space at 6500 Hollister Ave., Suite 105. The space will open at 10 a.m. Wednesday and will serve as the city’s library for two years during construction.
Due to the limited space, only 35 people are allowed in the express library at a time, so if it’s busy, there may be a brief wait to get inside, according to Hoover.
Additionally the site will have 20 parking spots for library patrons and two handicapped spots. There is also street parking on Los Carneros Way and overflow parking at City Hall.
Any cars parked in spaces marked for other tenants at 6500 Hollister Ave. may be towed, according to the city.
Patrons can return items inside the express library while open or at book drop-off boxes at City Hall, 130 Cremona Dr Suite B, and the Goleta Valley Community Center, at 5679 Hollister Ave. Returns are also accepted at the bookvan or other Blackgold library locations.
The express library will open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Regular hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.. The express library will be closed every Monday.
The city had expected the space to open in early June.
Goleta Library Renovations
The 500 N. Fairview Ave. branch library construction includes restroom upgrades, modernizing and replacing the HVAC system, new lighting and security, new doors and windows, and new exterior paint.
Goleta received a $4.2-million grant from the California State Library to make the improvements with the contingency that construction has to be completed by June 2027. City staff determined that in order to make the deadline, they needed to fully close the library during construction.
The city closed the building at the end of March. While the library has been without its four walls, employees have been bringing the library to the community by hosting events and storytimes in the Community Center and local parks.
Programs and events are expected to continue at parks and the Community Center as the temporary location isn’t big enough for community gatherings.
Bookvan and Library Programs
The library bookvan has grown in popularity during the closure as the van was available twice a week at the Goleta Union School District and Community Center.
Any holds ready for pick-up at the bookvan must still be picked up at bookvan stops.
The bookvan will still visit the Goleta Valley Community Center Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through July 30, but Saturday visits will stop after July 12.
Patrons may pick up bookvan holds in the Holds Pick-Up Room at the express library on Saturdays and Sundays through July 26.
When placing new holds through the online catalog, select “Goleta Valley Library” to pick up holds at express library. The modified collection will be back online and titles will be reservable again later this week, the city said.
At the Express library, people can browse the collection of books and DVDs, and access computers and printers.
The site will have four computers available for people to use, for 30 minutes at a time, and reservations are available, according to the city.
The library is currently not accepting donations for books, DVDs, and other materials.
Finding a Temporary Library
When city leaders learned they would have to close the branch library during construction, staff recommended having a satellite location at the Community Center or buying new portable modular classrooms. However, City Council members encouraged staff to look into leasing a space instead.
In February the City Council approved a two-year lease for $226,577 for 6500 Hollister Ave.
