Staff Report

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are excited to launch the 2021 Online Summer Reading Program! Community members of all ages are invited to participate in this eight-week program full of great reading, fantastic prizes, and fun livestreamed shows for the whole family.

The program, which will run through Saturday, July 31st, will be held completely online through Beanstack, a website and app where you can track your reading. Readers who have used Beanstack for previous reading programs at the library can simply log in to their existing Beanstack account and sign up for the Summer Reading Program, and new users can create a free account in just a few steps. Visit goletavalleylibrary.beanstack.org or download the free app for Apple and Android devices to start logging your books on June 5th.

To encourage participants to keep reading all summer long, many local businesses and organizations have generously donated prizes that readers can earn as they log books in their Beanstack accounts. Participants at Goleta Valley Library will receive their prizes in the mail, and participants at Buellton and Solvang Libraries will pick up their prizes in person during Sidewalk Service/Express Service hours Wednesdays – Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Fabulous online shows will be livestreamed through the libraries’ social media channels through the end of July, including special visits from children’s musicians, a magician, puppeteers, and even the zoo! Details about all of the performances this summer are available on the library Events Calendar.

Teens in search of volunteer opportunities can earn community service hours by submitting book reviews that will be posted on the library website and by volunteering through the Teen Graphic Novel Club, which meets once a month online to discuss all things illustrated. Details on Teen Volunteer Opportunities are available here.

The Goleta and Santa Ynez Valley Libraries extend their heartfelt gratitude to each of this year’s Summer Reading partners: Albertson’s, Birkholm’s Bakery, The Book Loft, California Pizza Kitchen Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard, Chipotle, The Clique, Coffee House by Chomp, Dana V. Wines, Ellen’s Pancake House, The Elverhoj Museum, The Friends of the Goleta Valley Library, The Friends of the Library of Santa Ynez Valley, The Giving Ink, The Good Seed Coffee Boutique, Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates, Islands Burgers, Kyle’s Kitchen, Los Arroyos, Mesaburger, Mother Hubbard’s, The Mystic Merchant, Nathalie’s Dollhouse, Natural Café, Nothing Bundt Cakes, New Frontiers Natural Marketplace, Old Town Coffee, Pattibakes, Santa Barbara Axxess, Solvang Bakery, Solvang Flavors, Space VR, Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA, Swedish Candy Factory, SYV Essential Oils, The SYV Historical Museum, and The Wildling Museum.