The Santa Barbara Public Library (SBPL) kicked off SB Reads 2022 on Oct. 6 with a 1st Thursday art show called Through Many Windows: A World Reimagined, which will remain on view at the Central Library through October.

The exhibit features some 20 local artists who envision their own world or another future, possible world, catastrophic or otherwise, and answer the question: “What if?” Community members had an opportunity to meet the artists and receive a free copy of this year’s SB Reads title “The Fifth Season” by N.K Jemison. More than 300 copies were distributed.

Attendees also received a free “More Than Books” T-shirt provided by the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation. About 200 shirts were given out, and community members, including Mayor Randy Rowse, gathered celebrate the message that the Santa Barbara Public Library is More Than Books.

“While SB Reads is a community reading program that inspires us all to read the same book at the same time, it is more than that. It is an opportunity for Santa Barbara to come together around the written word for community conversations, art, an all-ages geology science fair, a celebration of creativity, and more,” said Jessica Cadiente, library director.

Learn more about Santa Barbara Reads by visiting the library’s website. Free print copies of “The Fifth Season” will be available at all SBPL locations while supplies last. Additional copies without wait times will be provided via Overdrive/Libby in ebook and digital audiobook formats.

The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation supports the Santa Barbara Public Library by funding large-scale initiatives. For more about the foundation and the projects it supports, visit sblibraryfoundation.org.