Goleta Valley Library invites members of the community to help write the next chapter of this cherished space with the launch of its first-ever capital campaign. The City of Goleta and the Goleta Valley Library have officially become fiscally sponsored by the Santa Barbara Foundation as they seek to raise the remaining $935,000 of the $1.7 million goal for modern, accessible furnishings and design to serve generations of library users.

The main Goleta Valley Library location at 500 N. Fairview is temporarily closed for construction related to infrastructure improvements that will bring the building up to current standards and regulations. As the Building Forward construction plans began to unfold, it became clear that much of the library would need to be emptied in order to complete the work. This created the special opportunity to update the interior of the Library while it is closed and vacant, creating a more modern and accessible environment while retaining the charm and warmth of this treasured space. The interior design improvements will include updated seating for all ages, private study pods for reservable use, upgraded shelving to support the library’s broad collection, an enhanced children’s area with interactive and flexible spaces, a designated teen zone, technology upgrades, refreshed common spaces, and more.

To bring this vision to life, Goleta Valley Library became fiscally sponsored by the Santa Barbara Foundation for its capital campaign to raise the remaining $935,895 of the total $1,700,000 goal. The campaign will run from February – December 2026 and will launch with $764,105 of this goal already secured.

Community members have been eager to support this goal since the campaign first received City Council authorization in fall 2025 and have been generously contributing to the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library while the fiscal sponsorship relationship with the Santa Barbara Foundation was finalized. In addition, two milestone gifts were received from the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library and the John C. Mithun Foundation. The Friends’ gift of $175,000 will support the new service desk, ADA-accessible computer tables, mobile shelving, large outdoor book drops, and modern bike racks; the John C. Mithun Foundation gift of $550,000 will specifically fund the redesign of the entire children’s section of the library, including early literacy activity stations, a cozy reading nook, and child-friendly shelving.

The additional funds raised through the campaign will bring valuable improvements to life in the adult portion of the library, as well as the Community Room, lobby, common spaces, service desk area, and staff work spaces, which will meet the current and evolving needs of our patrons.

“At the heart of the interior design project is a goal to refresh Goleta Valley Library’s environment so that it can continue to serve as a treasured place in our community well into its next chapter, just as it has for the last fifty years,” said City Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo. “We are so grateful to the many generous community members who have already contributed gifts to help make this a reality.”

Library supporters can choose from four ways of donating to the campaign:

1. Santa Barbara Foundation: The fiscal sponsorship fund at the Santa Barbara Foundation, “Goleta Valley Library: Writing the Next Chapter”, is facilitating all donations, offering various convenient methods including credit card, check, wires, stock, or other assets, as well as donor advised fund contributions. To make a tax-deductible contribution:
   • Credit Cards: Visit the project listing page at https://sbfoundation.org/gvlibrary/ to make a secure gift transaction.
   • Checks: Make payable to Santa Barbara Foundation, with "GVL: Writing the Next Chapter" in the memo line. Mail to: Santa Barbara Foundation, 1111 Chapala St #200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
   • Gifts of Stock or Other Assets: Contact Jessica Sanchez, Senior Director of Donor Relations, at (805) 880-9366 or jsanchez@sbfoundation.org for details.
     
     
2. Friends of the Goleta Valley Library: The Friends of the Goleta Valley Library will collect gifts toward the capital campaign and disburse them to Goleta Valley Library. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please specify that your donation is intended for the capital campaign through one of the options below:
   • Credit Cards: Donate securely via the Friends website at friendsofthegoletavalleylibrary.org and include “GVL: Writing the Next Chapter” in the notes field.
   • Checks: Make payable to the Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, with “GVL: Writing the Next Chapter” in the memo line. Mail to: Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, P.O. Box 635, Goleta, CA 93116-0635.
   • Other Options or Questions: Contact the Friends directly at friendsofthegvlibrary@gmail.com.
      
3. City of Goleta: Donations can be made to the Library directly. Please contact City Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo at esaucedo@cityofgoleta.gov for details.
   
   
4. In-Person at GVL Express: Donations via credit card, cash, or check can be accepted at the service desk at GVL Express (6500 Hollister Avenue, Suite 105). The completion of a brief donation form will be requested for tracking purposes, and anonymous donations are also welcome.

To learn more about the interior design and infrastructure improvements planned for Goleta Valley Library, visit the project page at GoletaValleyLibrary.org/BuildingForward.

The Santa Barbara Foundation is the 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor of the "Goleta Valley Library: Writing the Next Chapter" capital campaign.  As such, Santa Barbara Foundation receives all donations to the program and oversees funds are distributed in the manner intended by the committee. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Conceptual rendering - library exterior

 
Conceptual rendering - library interior