[Noozhawk’s note: First in a series sponsored by the Hutton Parker Foundation.]
An end is in sight for the 18-month construction of the Michael Towbes Library Plaza, as an exciting new beginning for the Santa Barbara Public Library complex and its 10,000-square-foot exterior space takes shape.
The developments will re-establish the library as the central gathering square of our community.
A grand opening is slated for Oct. 21.
The $5.4 million remodel updates the entire exterior plaza of the library, at 40 E. Anapamu St., which has not been touched in 30 years.
Named in memory of Michael Towbes for his profound commitment to community and support of the arts, the plaza will provide an urban green space offering events and performances for all community members.
“The central library is located in the heart of Santa Barbara’s cultural district, which was very meaningful to Mr. Towbes,” library director Jessica Cadiente said.
“Michael supported the arts so it’s quite fitting to name the plaza, which serves as a connector to many great cultural venues, in his name.”
The plaza will serve as an anchor to Santa Barbara’s historic cultural arts district, positioned in the heart of downtown and next to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
The envisioned programming will complement the space with plans for art and performance receptions; outdoor science, art, exercise and dance classes; Storytimes; book, career and volunteer fairs; live music; open-air movie nights; community festivals; local author events; and much more.
Yet this programming comes at a cost, and the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation aims to endow an additional $1 million to ensure the financial health of the plaza and sustain operations.
The foundation is already halfway toward its goal.
The foundation was created in 2012 to support the library by funding large-scale initiatives like the Children’s Library, Santa Barbara Reads and SBPL Delivers.
The Michael Towbes Plaza combines public and private funding, with the City of Santa Barbara investing $1.6 million, the library foundation raising $3.1 million and the balance coming from the city’s Measure C sales tax funds.
“The Santa Barbara Library Foundation opens doors by offering critical support not covered through public dollars,” explained Jim Jackson, the foundation’s board chairman.
“Private donations and grants allow us to take the library to the next level and expand services that help our community.”
Approximately 15% of the library’s budget now comes from private donations and foundation grants.
“We want to ensure the plaza can fulfill its promise of this new space, independent of uncertain funding from the city,” said Lauren Trujillo, director of the library foundation, who cited the Children’s Library as a prime example of how private funding has helped sustain programming.
“The library’s early literacy programming exploded from 3,700 to 26,000 attendees per year, as a result of our $2 million Children’s Library Endowment,” she said.
What used to be a chronically underfunded, small corner with kids’ books has transformed over the past few years into a lively, interactive space for thousands of children in our community.
Trujillo told Noozhawk she hopes the plaza will do the same. Yet, drawing more people to the new space includes the houseless population, who tend to congregate at the library.
“We recognize this is an issue in our community,” Trujillo said. “And we want to be part of the solution — this is a community issue and we hope to continue our collaborations with other nonprofit organizations to address challenges.”
In fact, there is a social worker provided by Family Service Agency as well as security at the main branch, and the library partners with SB ACT and the Alliance for Community Transformation on Homelessness to offer services.
“The library supports people from all walks of life and it’s very important we maintain that reputation as open and welcoming,” said Cadiente, who added that the rules of conduct, which prohibit loitering, apply both inside and outside the building.
The plaza exterior will consist of movable furniture and flexible space that can accommodate up to 1,200 guests. The plaza is is intended to be a central gathering space, designed with reading nooks, staging areas, olive trees, permeable pavers, and a mosaic that pays homage to the original 1930s design.
There will also be a pathway connecting La Arcada Plaza to East Anapamu Street.
In addition to exterior renovations, the library will unveil a new Americans with Disability Act-compliant elevator, and renovated lower-level staffing areas inside the building. The total project cost is $10.9 million.
The main branch, which has remained open during construction, is accessible from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Due to city budget cuts, the library is closed Sunday and Monday.
The Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation supports the Santa Barbara Public Library and opens doors by offering critical support not covered through public dollars.
Click here for more information, or click here to make an online donation.