Summer Reading 2025

You are invited to participate in this year’s summer reading program at all Library branches starting on June 8! Check out the Summer event schedule on our calendar.

This summer, free lunch is available for children ages 0-18 from Monday June 16 through Friday August 15 at the Central Library through Lunch at the Library with the support of SB Unified and the California State Library. 

How to participate:

• Pick up an Adventure Log to set reading goals & track reading habits for the summer at Central, Eastside, or Montecito branches, and Library on the Go
• Throughout the summer, visit the library and talk with Library staff about the books you've been reading and earn special beads.
• Visit any library branch starting August 1, show a library staff member your completed Adventure Log to receive a prize packet.
• Bring your completed log to the Central Library on Thursday August 14th for a free Mr. Softee cone while supplies last.

What is a reading goal?

Your reading goal is a summer challenge that you create for yourself! You will choose the number of books you want to read this summer and can set reading goals & track reading habits using the Reading Adventure Log provided or any other way that works for you.

This program is funded in part by Lunch at the Library funds, a project of the California State Library, supported with funds from the State of California.

Teens: Ages 13-18
Adults: Ages 18+

Check out the Summer event schedule on our calendar.

Map Your Summer Reading Tales with SBPL's Zine!

Pick up your Summer Reading Zine at any library branch beginning June 6. As you delve into the literary treasures of this summer, fill out each zine page however you like! Add your thoughts, drawings, photos, collages, or anything that will make it yours. For each prompt, include the book’s title and author(s). Book titles may be used only once per zine. For readers 13 and older.

How to Fold Your SRP Zine

Music credit in video: 
"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
 

Instructions on how to fold your SRP Zine.

1. Do a hamburger (vertical) fold. Unfold.
2. Do a hot dog (horizontal) fold. Unfold.
3. Fold the short ends into the center fold. Unfold.
4. Do a hamburger fold again. Then cut on the dotted lines, where the scissor marks are, stopping in the middle. Don’t cut all the way through! Unfold when you’re done.
5. Do a hot dog fold.
6. Grab both ends and push them together like an accordion! And voilà! 

What Do I Do Once I’ve Completed My Zine?

Bring your completed zine to any Santa Barbara Public Library branch between August 1st and August 31st. Show your finished zine to a staff member and collect a prize. 

Entries must be shown to a staff member by August 31st.

Need suggestions for Summer Reading? Ask library staff for recommendations! Stop by any open branch or submit a Book Match request at https://library.santabarbaraca.gov/books-more/reading-resources

Free Food and Fun All Summer Long!

June 16 through August 15 - Monday through Friday - Noon to 1 p.m.

Children and teens, ages 0-18, are invited to eat a free, nutritious meal as part of the USDA Summer Food Service Program, Lunch at the Library. Lunch will be served and eaten on the Central Library’s Lower Plaza every Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. No lunch will be served on Juneteenth (June 19) or July 4th. There are no income requirements, sign-ups, or registrations. On most days, lunch will be accompanied by special events and programming geared toward children and teens. Meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Lunch will be provided by the Santa Barbara Unified School District and served at Central Library, 40 E. Anapamu . 

Please visit the Library’s calendar of events to learn about special events during Lunch and all summer long!

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The Summer Food Service Program is a program of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, administered in California by the California Department of Education. Lunch at the Library is a project of the California State Library, supported with funds from the State of California.