Eastside Library Gets Overhaul

An inheritance from Rose Karat, who died five years ago, will allow Santa Barbara Eastside Library to undergo some welcome improvements. The money has been kept in a safe place until the plans for renovation were outlined, said Sarah Rosenblum, library services manager, and they now have been, as announced in a January 27 press release.

The remodeling will be primarily focused on the main, adult section of the library, with the Children’s Room as well as the Martin Luther King Room to remain open during construction. Improvements to the facility will include new electrical wiring, landscaping, furniture, energy-efficient lighting, paint, and carpeting; and more computers for customer use. Though the adults’ room is expected to reopen sometime in March, there is no definitive date as of yet.

Upon completion of the work—sometime in March, according to current projections—the library will hold a grand re-opening. It will be showing off not only new furnishings but updated content: Outdated and aged materials are being removed and replaced with current books and DVDs, for example in the case of travel and medical books.

One of the biggest improvements will be the increase in customer-use computers. Six additional computers are to be installed, doubling the current number. Plus, new tables fitted with electrical outlets will allow people to use their own notebook computers if they wish.

This renovation has been long and eagerly anticipated, said Rosenblum, and will “increase enjoyment of the library by children and adults.”