Santa Barbara’s Public Libraries Benefit from $65,000 Women’s Fund Gift

The Friends of the Santa Barbara Public Library received $65,000 from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara to expand the number of Early Literacy touch-screen computer stations available in the library system to 19 from two. The new educational computers for young children will be installed in the Goleta, Eastside, Montecito, Carpinteria and Central libraries this year.

The Early Literacy computers from AWE (Advanced Workstations in Education) have child-friendly menus, about 30 English and 30 Spanish learning games, touch-screens and colorful keyboards. Eleven Early Literacy stations will be added, and six AfterSchool Edge netbooks will also be purchased. The Central Library has had two Early Literacy stations in the children’s area for more than a year, and they are very popular with children and their caregivers. The AfterSchool Edge netbooks have 50 educational titles that appeal to youth 6 to 14 years old.

“Children will have access to engaging and research-proven technology that promotes early literacy and school readiness,” library director Irene Macias said. “Kids really love these literacy stations, and it’s incredible to watch them explore science, art, math and stories without needing special training or instruction. … When a mother who comes in to the library for adult literacy tutoring for basic English reading looks over and smiles at her young children, who are focusing and learning on the Early Literacy stations next to her, we know that something great is happening.”

The gift, which was presented to the Friends of the Santa Barbara Public Library at their annual members’ tea on May 16, will cover the cost of purchasing 17 computers with research-tested software, upgrades, new release licenses and warranties for the next five years.

“The Library System deeply appreciates this gift from the Women’s Fund, as it will benefit many children throughout our community, enabling them to develop critical reading and computer literacy skills,” said Macias.

— Chris Gallery is a reference librarian at the Santa Barbara Public Library.