Services
:: Youth Outreach Programs
 The Library recognizes the interconnectedness between reading to young children early, library use and eventual educational success. The National Commission on Reading concluded that, “The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” As an active community institution that responds to the needs of the unique community it serves, the Library is committed to instilling a love for reading in our youngest community members.
As part of this commitment, the Library reaches families and children through the following programs:
Reach Out and Read
 Reach Out and Read (ROR) is a national organization which partners with doctors and nurses to promote early literacy in order to make a love of reading part of a healthy childhood. The goal is for kids to start school ready to read, and studies show that the ROR model works! In Santa Barbara, the Library works with health clinics to provide brand-new books to low-income children at their pediatric checkups, during which medical providers actually prescribe that parents read aloud with their children.
Preschool Outreach Program
Outreach staff visit over twenty Head Start, state, and non-profit preschools every month to provide an entertaining and literacy-rich storytime. The program empowers childcare providers, teachers, parents, and staff by offering access to high quality books and helping build their confidence to use them effectively.
Library storytimes capture a child’s interest and imagination early. Storytime helps children discover that libraries and literacy can be an enjoyable and valued part of their lives. The interaction with library staff allows children to develop early literacy, communication, and social skills needed to be ready to learn by the time they enter kindergarten.
Reading is Fundamental
 Every year Library staff and community volunteers visit nine local elementary schools and distribute 3,150 new books to 2nd and 3rd graders. The Library receives grant funding from Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), a national non-profit organization, to purchase the books.
The Library’s RIF program targets schools with a high rate of students eligible for free/reduced price meal programs because studies connect lower income rates with lower incidence of leisure reading. (Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America, NEA, 2004) Using this criteria, we are able to focus our resources on the communities most susceptible to the educational and social effects of poor literacy.
:: Special Outreach and Engagement
Presentations
In an effort to promote library use and reading, outreach staff regularly conducts bilingual workshops and presentations on utilizing library services, reading out loud, and pre-literacy skills.
In addition, outreach staff participates in a variety of community fairs, events, and programs, distributing brochures and other information on library programs, resources and services, and registering new patrons for free library cards.
:: Volunteer Opportunities
Make a difference in our community: Join our team of passionate volunteers. Every program offers unique opportunities for you to help.
For more information about the Library’s outreach efforts and/or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, please call 805-564-5621 or email GWagy@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
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