Santa Barbara’s Eastside Library will be closed for repairs for two months to address damaged caused by recent storms.

“The Eastside Library is being closed to do some drainage improvements as well as address some water damage cause by the recent storms in February, predominantly to the back of building,” Acting Library Director Brandon Beaudette said.

The city will replace carpet and floors that were damaged by flooding, and drainage work will help prevent rain from causing the same issues in the future, he said.

The library at 1102 E. Montecito St. is expected to reopen on July 15.

Santa Barbara was hit by multiple storms in February that dropped enough rain for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a State of Emergency for Santa Barbara County and seven other counties.

The closure was sudden for some residents, who were unaware of the construction.

Sebastien Masclat did not know the library was closed until he showed up with his daughter, Manon, and son, Albert, on Wednesday.

“We come once a month for the kids to come read, play and do activities,” Masclat said. “It means a lot. It’s a great place for the community.”

Masclat stated that he and his family will probably use the Central Library until the Eastside branch reopens in two months.

City Expanding Library on the Go Van During Closure

Beaudette says the Central Library at 40 E. Anapamu St. will be able to accommodate additional usage during the Eastside Library closure.

The Santa Barbara Public Library also will be increasing the number of stops for the Library on the Go program in the Eastside area, including at Franklin Elementary School.

The vans will include a mix of adult and children’s material along with Wi-Fi access. The vans will allow residents to check out books, sign up for library cards and return books.

Residents also can return books to the Central and Montecito libraries. The Central Library’s book drops are closed until June 10, but books can be returned inside the library building.

Due dates also have been extended for books, DVDs, Blu-rays and physical audiobooks that were checked out from the Eastside Library and will last for the entire closure.

Between the Central Library and the Library on the Go vans, Beaudette said the city expects to be able to meet the needs of the community until the Eastside Library is finished with construction.

“We are looking forward to welcoming back the Eastside community this summer,” he said.