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lower level childrens library with gondolas of books
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Central Library's Lower Level/Children's Library Closed Due to Construction

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5/1 update: Lower Level closure extended until May 13th.

From April 15th - May 5th, the Central Library Lower Level/Children’s Library area will be closed due to construction work. This is a part of the ongoing elevator project. In the meantime, we encourage you to check out other library resources for access to materials for children and families.

Book Match: Want children’s materials around a certain theme? Reading Level? Interest? Fill out our Book Match form and a librarian will curate a bundle of books for you and place them on hold for you to pick up from our Main Level holds shelf!

Digital Library: Get access to hundreds of ebooks, audiobooks, e-comics, music, movies, and more for free with your library card! Would you like help accessing the digital library and navigating the online platforms? Our library staff can assist you over the phone, over chat, or in person at any of our library locations!

Library on the Go Van Stops: Every day our Library on the Go van is out in the community making stops at your favorite parks and places in the community! Check out our events calendar for weekly Library on the Go van stops where you can browse for and check out children’s materials with your library card.

Visit a Branch: We have materials for children and families that patrons can browse for at the Eastside Library and the Montecito Library.

Place a Hold: Use our online catalog to place holds on materials for children and families. We will place them on the Main Level holds shelf for you and notify you when they are ready for pickup!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I place holds on children’s materials? Will they be pulled during the closure or do I have to wait until it’s over?
You may place holds on children’s materials and they will be pulled by staff members at safe and strategic times during the closure so that you don’t have to wait until the closure is over to access those materials.

Will there be any children’s materials that are browsable for patrons during the closure?
Yes! Patrons can access the “Browse Recently Returned Materials” area to find carts with browsable children’s materials for check out. Looking for the recently returned adult materials that are normally housed there? They will be near the Fiction section on the far side of the Main Level construction wall.

Will my child still be able to turn in their In-N-Out reading log to the Central Library?
Yes, until April 20th, 2024, we will be accepting In-N-Out Reading Logs on the Main Level!

Will my child still be able to do the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program during the closure?
Yes, you can turn in and pick up new reading logs at the Main Level information desks during the closure. If you are just starting out, you can still make your dinosaur at Central who will be transported downstairs upon lower level reopening, or you can choose to join the 1000 books before Kindergarten program at Eastside and make a planet for our solar system over there instead!

Where will OG tutor pairs meet during the closure? 
We have reserved tutor tables set up on the upper level behind the nonfiction stacks that tutor pairs can use during the closure.

Where can I access the monthly Maker Space challenge? 
Please join us at the Eastside Library for access to the monthly Maker Space Challenge!