About and Contact
The Santa Maria Public Library system provides library services to 155,338 people in northern Santa Barbara County at the Main Library, and separate branches located in Cuyama, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, and Orcutt. Santa Barbara County has contracted with the City of Santa Maria to provide library services to nearby County libraries continuously since 1961.
Contact Us:
General Information: (805) 925-0994
Administration: (805) 925-0994 extension 8561
Circulation: (805) 925-0994 extension 8563
Reference: (805) 925-0994 extension 8562 or email the Reference Desk
Youth Services: (805) 925-0994 extension 8564 or email the Youth Services Desk
Spanish: (805) 925-0994 extension 8565
Mission Statement
The mission of the Santa Maria Public Library is to inspire literacy and lifelong learning, embracing and strengthening our diverse community through free and equal access to information, knowledge and ideas.
Vision Statement
Through sharing knowledge we build a better community.
City Librarian
MARY HOUSEL
Phone: 805-925-0994 ext. 2321
Fax: 805-922-2330
Email: mhousel@cityofsantamaria.org
2019-20 Goals and Objectives
- Use Measure U funding to increase services to the community by providing extended Library hours on Sundays, and expanding services to at-risk populations including youth and families, to improve the quality of life.
- Begin WiFi-enabled bookmobile service, in collaboration with Public Works and Information Technology, for the underserved and at-risk populations.
- Assess the changing needs of the community and expand adult program offerings that address and meet those needs, including partnering with other organizations that connect people with other resources in the community.
- Train staff to offer a professional and world class Library experience by assessing skills needed and developing a robust training program.
- Review and realign Library administrative and management duties and procedures to maximize efficiencies in services, streamline processes, and free-up staff time to focus on public-facing services.
- To ensure that City tax dollars are not inadvertently used in the County (branch) libraries, develop, manage, and report on expenditures using cost accounting.
- Work with stakeholder groups and pursue grant opportunities to supplement the existing materials budget and to provide services that augment the program offerings of the Main Library and those of the County-funded, City-operated branch libraries.
- Implement technology and signage that will continue to help library customers serve themselves and enhance use of collections at the main and branch libraries.
- Collaborate with Information Technology to evaluate and review the Library’s current state of technology and equipment to determine future needs, and develop a plan for meeting those needs to ensure that the Library offers staff and patrons state-of-the-art equipment.
- Analyze and evaluate demographics, Library collection and program data, and policies to ensure established objectives are met and that programs, materials, and policies are meeting the needs of the public.