Welcome to the Library Reading Corner for

May 2026

A Note from City Librarian Elizabeth Saucedo:

Welcome to May, library patrons! As the days grow brighter, our libraries are abuzz with activity across the Goleta and Santa Ynez Valleys: Construction is on track at Goleta Valley Library, bestselling new titles are hitting our shelves, and the details of our Summer Reading Program are right around the corner. We're honored to bring you another month of great reads, community connections, and year-round library joy!

In Our Newsletter:

Programs

Storytime

Buellton Library

Solvang Library

Bookvan

Updates

Writing the Next Chapter at Goleta Valley Library

The Goleta Valley Library capital campaign for interior design furnishings is going strong! View the project renderings and learn how you can help us reach our goal at the campaign webpage. Thank you to our many generous donors for your support!

Visit the Seed Library!

Did you know that each of our locations proudly offers a Seed Library? Visit GVL Express, Buellton Library, and Solvang Library to pick up free seeds year-round. Be sure to check out our gardening books for instruction and inspiration! Thank you to our sponsors who make this possible.

Program Highlights

Indigenous Language Interpretation and Healthcare

Saturday, May 2,

2:00-3:00pm

@ Goleta Community Center, Room 7

5679 Hollister Ave, Goleta

Join us for an educational panel discussion of linguistic diversity in interpretation and its impact on healthcare access. Speakers will highlight the need for interpreters to ensure equal access to resources and information.

Stars and Fireflies:

Stories from Mixtepec

Saturday, May 2

3:00-4:00pm

@ Goleta Community Center,

Room 7

5679 Hollister Ave, Goleta

You are invited to learn about a collection of eight narratives from Mixtepec (Oaxaca, Mexico). The stories represent a varied array of genres and traditions, presented in the original Mixtec language and illustrated by Mixtec illustrators themselves.

Stars and Fireflies: Stories from Mixtepec May 2 3-4pm

Film Club: Singin' in the Rain

Thursday, May 21,

1:30-3:30pm

@ Goleta Community Center, Room 3

5679 Hollister Ave.

Goleta, California 93117

Singin' in the Rain (1952), starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor, is filled with color, romance, comedy and incredible dance numbers. Stay for lively discussion, trivia & fun facts after the movie.

See our online calendar for more programs:

Writers' Workshop - Saturday, May 2

Senior Happy Hour - Thursday, May 7

Poetry Club - Sunday, May 17

Mystery Book Club - Tuesday, May 26

Storytime

Storytime at Your Library

Goleta: Fridays

Baby & Me 10:00-10:30am,

Wiggly 10:30-11:00am

(check our calendar for locations)

Buellton: Mondays

10:30-11:00am

Solvang: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30-11:00am

Join in the fun at Storytime! We'll share stories, songs, and activities. After Storytime, feel free to stay and play with others! Best for ages 6 months-5 years old.

Buellton Library

Buellton Library Bookworms

Friday, May 15

1:00-2:00pm

Join the Buellton Bookworms book club for a lively discussion of this month's bring-your-own-book theme. The May theme is “Another Continent" – feel free to come to the front desk if you need any help finding something on-theme to read. We meet in the Community Room. See you there!

For adults and teens.

May Take-Home Craft

Friday, May 1 -

Sunday May 31

Drop into the library anytime throughout May and pick up a free take-home craft kit. Make a Friend Ship!

Solvang Library

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Saturday, May 30 -

Saturday, June 6

Join us for the Friends of the Library of the Santa Ynez Valley Book Sale during library open hours in the Solvang Library lobby.

Solvang Garden Club

Saturday, May 16

1:00-2:30pm

Join us for our Solvang Library Garden Club. Have plants to swap? Cuttings to share? Questions about germination or cultivation? Come spend your afternoon with this community of fellow gardening fans.

Solvang Garden Club every third Saturday 1pm

ABCs of California Native Bees

Wednesday, May 13

7:00pm

Join us for a free lecture by Krystle Hickman, "The ABCs of California Native Bees", sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society. In person and over zoom, register at syvnature.org

Bookvan

Come browse the new adult and children's books added to our Bookvan's mobile collection!

Patrons throughout Isla Vista and beyond are encouraged to bookmark the Goleta Valley Library Bookvan schedule, available online at GoletaValleyLibrary.org/Bookvan

Plus, follow us to parks throughout Goleta at our Friday morning Storytimes.

We hope to see you on our route!

The Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries are members of the Black Gold Library Cooperative System. Patrons can use their library cards at other Black Gold libraries and request to borrow their titles. Black Gold libraries include Blanchard Community Library, Carpinteria Community Library, Goleta & Santa Ynez Valley Libraries, Lompoc Public Library, Santa Maria Public Library, and Paso Robles City Library.

Visit www.goletavalleylibrary.org for the latest information on all our programs and services. If you received this e-newsletter from a friend and would like to subscribe, click here.

Thank you for your interest and support in our libraries. Happy reading!

Goleta Valley Library

2026 Reading Corner Newsletter

The Library Reading Corner - May 2026