Author spotlight: Kim Crail

Kim is the Branch Lead of the Montecito Library. Questions or comments? Contact her: kcrail@santabarbaraca.gov

2022: In Brief
By Kim Crail   |   January 10, 2023

As we welcome the start of a new year, we would like to share some pictures from the Montecito Library from the past year. We are notoriously bad at asking for people to pose (privacy is bedrock for library folks), but are trying to make more of an effort to document some of the joy […]

Lime Creek Christmas
By Kim Crail   |   December 13, 2022

Come enjoy Anthony Zerbe’s stage adaptation of Lime Creek Christmas, a spoken-word and music performance based on Joe Henry’s novel, Lime Creek. With musical accompaniment provided by singer-guitarist Chris Zerbe, the show will take place in the Montecito Community Hall at the Montecito Library on Saturday, December 17 at 1 pm. Please arrive early to […]

Wanted: Green Thumbs
By Kim Crail   |   November 8, 2022

Montecito Library is looking for gardeners, designers, landscape architects, and permaculture experts who might be willing to share some of their knowledge with the community. Starting this spring, we hope to offer gardening programs for children and adults at the Montecito and Eastside libraries.  Some topics that we are interested in covering are gardening basics, […]

Space: The Final Frontier
By Kim Crail   |   October 4, 2022

Local astronomy instructor and former NASA scientist Tom Farr will be teaching kids and families all about space. We will be learning about the sun and its eight planets (plus Pluto!), including our own planet Earth. We’ll also cover the leftovers of the solar system such as asteroids, meteors, and comets before traveling beyond our […]

Local (Movie) History of Montecito
By Kim Crail   |   September 6, 2022

Montecito is fortunate to have a rich history and generous historians who research and share with us through library programs, all open to the public. Historian and author Betsy Green will be giving a presentation on Saturday, September 10 from 1 to 2 pm here at the Montecito Library. Sitting down with Green to hear […]

Ice Cream Social
By Kim Crail   |   August 16, 2022

Library staff have had a grand old time this Summer Reading Program, encouraging the love of stories and books with readers of all ages. We’re going to celebrate the close of summer and the start of the school year with an event meant to share the magic of the library with families in our community. […]

Surf Photography to Honey Bees
By Kim Crail   |   June 7, 2022

Summer is fast approaching and Montecito Library is hosting a Summer Reading Program for folks of all ages. See our calendar at SBPLibrary.org for what’s happening! We are delighted to invite everyone to two library programs in June with professional photographer and beekeeper, Branden Aroyan. Bearing the gift of fresh honey from Hope Ranch beehives, he […]

An Eventful May
By Kim Crail   |   May 10, 2022

We’re having an eventful May at the Montecito Library. Check our calendar at SBPLibrary.org or come by to see what’s happening! Watershed Classes for K-6 with Explore Ecology Have you ever wondered where the water goes when it rains? In this lesson series, students will learn how water moves across the land and what can […]

Stay and Play
By Kim Crail   |   March 8, 2022

Spring is almost here and the Montecito Library is keen to bring back some weekly programs for younger children! Our answer? Stay and Play, an outdoor opportunity for little ones to play and their grownups to chill. No rushing to get anywhere at a certain time or abrupt transitions, just a wide window of time […]

Romance in the Library
By Kim Crail   |   February 8, 2022

In the mood for a steamy read or just a happily ever after? We could all use some healthy distraction these days and Montecito Library staff are preparing for one of our favorite displays: “Blind Date with a Book.” Rather than judging a book by its cover, author, or genre, let us surprise you with […]

Introducing New Recruits
By Kim Crail   |   January 4, 2022

It is with great joy that I announce our two new Library Technicians, Kelly and Carli. Starting a few weeks ago, they have been working hard, training on the many facets of public library work and the small branch culture that we cultivate at the Montecito Library. They are looking forward to meeting you! We […]

Literary Gift Ideas
By Kim Crail   |   December 7, 2021

We love good books, and we cannot lie! Choosing which books to give beloved friends and family, however, is not an easy task. With the holidays coming up, here are some staff picks for books that might be worthy of your consideration. For older kids and teens, it’s much more difficult to throw out titles […]

Through Children’s Eyes
By Kim Crail   |   November 2, 2021

Giggles and wiggles increase whenever we have Pre-K kids visit the library. Enthusiasm shoots up exponentially with each additional child until we reach a critical buzz of excitement. El Montecito Early School’s four- and five-year-olds came by for a tour this month and it was a joy to host them. Their first stop was the […]

Community Discusses Members Only
By Kim Crail   |   October 5, 2021

Race, class, family, and belonging are central themes in Members Only, a novel by local author Sameer Pandya. Accused of racism at both his tennis club and university teaching job, the main character’s experiences provide ample opportunity for readers to use the book as both a mirror and a window.  How do we respond when […]

New Montecito Library: Hours Start on August 10
By Kim Crail   |   August 12, 2021

Expanding public library access is important to our entire community. Visitors or folks new to the area often come here first to get a sense of what Montecito is all about and to connect with a helpful person face-to-face. The Montecito Library hours are: • Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am – 5 pm • Wednesday […]

A Community Center Once Again
By Kim Crail   |   July 8, 2021

Our library continues to thrive these days as we move from the intensity of the pandemic and open further. While the Montecito Library has been offering curbside pickup since last July and indoor visits since December, June 15 has ushered in a true feeling of normalcy. While we continue to wear masks indoors, library staff […]

Pandemic Progress: Montecito Library Increases Hours and Services
By Kim Crail   |   June 10, 2021

Montecito Library will be open four days a week starting June 1. This date marks our biggest reopening level in over a year.  Our new hours will be: • Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 2-5 pm• Thursday 10 am – 4 pm Along with new hours will be a 30-minute per day maximum and new building […]

Storywalk Continues
By Kim Crail   |   May 20, 2021

We continue to offer the monthly Storywalk® program, which allows households to enjoy a story together while social distancing. This has been a wonderful way to encourage literacy and family time. Special shout out to the All Saints, Mount Carmel, and Montecito Union students and their grownups that came out, braving the mysterious helicopter situation […]

Once Upon a Time in Montecito
By Kim Crail   |   May 20, 2021

Join us on Thursday, May 20 at 5 pm for a virtual talk titled “Wintering in Montecito” with local historian and Montecito Journal columnist Hattie Beresford. Santa Barbara has drawn winter visitors ever since the 1870s when travel writer Charles Nordhoff promoted Santa Barbara as a health resort. The salubrious waters at Hot Springs Resort […]

Book to Action
By Kim Crail   |   April 8, 2021

Santa Barbara Public Library is partnering with local organizations and leaders as part of the library’s Book to Action programming, designed to inspire the community to read and discuss a book around important themes, then take action to address community issues. This year’s featured title is The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom.   Winner […]

And… We’re Back!
By Kim Crail   |   April 8, 2021

As of March 24, Montecito Library has returned to its pre-pandemic staffing and we are overjoyed to be together again! It has been an entire year since the stay-at-home order resulted in the closure of Montecito’s charming and beloved library building. Like most, we had no idea that absolutely everything would change so drastically. Our […]

Love is in the Air…
By Kim Crail   |   February 12, 2021

A book is like a box of chocolates! You never know what you’re gonna get.  Stop by the library on February 11 from 10 am to 1 pm for a surprise wrapped book to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Montecito. We all need a little extra love these days and we have some fun bookmarks and […]

Welcome Back!
By Kim Crail   |   January 28, 2021

We now offer limited indoor browsing for our patrons, one household at a time. We will admit that staff were wary about this. We have been pleasantly surprised by how cooperative and respectful people have been with our new procedures. “Grab-n-Go” is offered Tuesdays from 2 pm to 5 pm and Thursdays from 10 am […]

Grab-n-Go Services Announced
By Kim Crail   |   December 10, 2020

Winter is coming! Santa Barbara Public Library is transitioning our sidewalk service indoors. Montecito Library will be allowing one household at a time to browse a curated selection of materials inside for 15 minutes.  Grab-n-Go in Montecito will be on Tuesdays from 2 pm to 5 pm, and Thursdays 10 am to 1 pm, starting […]

SB Reads: Create!
By Kim Crail   |   November 5, 2020

The Santa Barbara Public Library is excited to announce this fall’s Santa Barbara Reads program, SB Reads: Create! featuring Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert.  Free copies of Big Magic, in English and Spanish, will be available to pick up at Central Library’s Book […]

Keepin’ Tabs
By Kim Crail   |   November 5, 2020

Montecito Library staff have fulfilled more than 1,000 pickup requests for thousands of library materials since we resumed services (outdoors) in July. For our online catalog, please go to sbplibrary.org/catalog to place your requests. Staying Connected Keeping in touch has never felt more important. Library patron Linda was kind enough to share her story: “I […]

At Your (Sidewalk) Service
By Kim Crail   |   July 16, 2020

We are thrilled to announce that Sidewalk Service is in full effect at Montecito Library. You can request items using our online catalog (SBPLibrary.org/catalog) or please give us a call to request items with the help of staff (805-969-5063). Once your items are ready, you will be notified via email or phone. You are able […]

The Case for Hope
By Kim Crail   |   June 25, 2020

One of the many challenging parts of the library being closed to the public is not being able to have our monthly book discussions. With all of the turmoil people are facing these days, it would feel good to be face to face and get a chance to have civil discourse as well as comfort […]

On the Same Page
By Kim Crail   |   June 25, 2020

This summer, our amazing Youth Services team working out of Central created a new Summer Reading Program (SRP), making the most of reading at home and still providing lots of incentives and virtual programs for kids. Now you can get a library card for yourself and your family to use digital resources this summer while […]

Baby Steps
By Kim Crail   |   June 25, 2020

The burning question on everyone’s mind is, “When is the library going to open?” Currently, our book drops are open to accept returns on Mondays from 2:30-5:30 pm. We will be rolling out Sidewalk Service to check out holds at this location in early July. This service is currently available at the Central Library for […]

Picking a Winner
By Kim Crail   |   May 21, 2020

“What do you recommend? What should I read next?” At the library, it is easy to see what’s new and in demand, hear rave reviews or scathing critiques. I feel like I’m in the know, surrounded by booklovers. With this lengthy library closure, I thought it might be useful to share some “from home” tricks […]

The Books Miss You!
By Kim Crail   |   April 16, 2020

In the absence of open hours and programs, our branch activity has come to a standstill. The Montecito Library has been closed to the public since March 13. That said, you can still access important library services including help with job search, applying for unemployment, answers to your reference questions, book delivery, digital services, and […]

Resources to Use While the Library is Closed
By Kim Crail   |   March 19, 2020

Montecito Library staff take the well being of our beloved community seriously. You are our people! For now, the Montecito Library is closed through April 5, encouraging social distancing and keeping spirits up. Here are some cheery photos taken recently at the library. We will miss seeing you. We are also passing along information that […]

Montecito Library Book Club
By Kim Crail   |   February 13, 2020

Our discussion of Normal People by Sally Rooney last Saturday had no shortage of topics to unpack. Attendee Chris noted how well the book “exemplified the complexities of relationships between young adults” and Pat Musarra noted that it was a good study of “the growth of the two main characters and how they matured” over […]

Native American Storytelling
By Kim Crail   |   February 13, 2020

Thursday, February 20 at 4 pm, we are hosting a presentation by Chumash and Tataviam Elder and proud California Native American Alan Salazar. Learn about traditional paddling of tomol (canoes) and more about tribal history and culture. Salazar has been a preschool teacher, juvenile institutions officer, Native American consultant/monitor, spiritual advisor and member of the […]

Library Learners: They’re just like us!
By Kim Crail   |   February 13, 2020

The library scene is thriving these days. Here are a few examples of the groups that are breezing through on a daily basis: Babies, toddlers, and school-age kids love the library, from rolling up (literally) in strollers to attending Preschool Storytime with their doting caregivers. The older kids stun us with their independence, hunger for […]

Good Neighbors
By Kim Crail   |   January 16, 2020

Saying hello, bumping into someone in line, knowing the cashier’s name, seeing people and being seen – these are all components of social infrastructure, studied by sociologist Eric Klinenberg and fleshed out in his book Palaces for the People. These everyday affinities are part of what makes public library life so vital, keeping us civil […]

Come One, Come All!
By Kim Crail   |   December 26, 2019

Oh, December. How you push us to extremes! The library is here to help everybody survive those trying times, hopefully bookended by stellar ones. As 2019 draws to a close, we’d like to thank our patrons for making our library work so interesting and wonderful. In return, here’s two tips that we’d like to share. […]

Get Cozy with Kanopy
By Kim Crail   |   November 14, 2019

The days are getting shorter. This time change has cleaned our clocks. Hibernation feels are finally here. The Montecito Library can help you out with those cozy, quiet nights in. Kanopy is a new on-demand video streaming service available to you for free with your library card. You can stream it like Netflix or Amazon […]

A Visit to the Library
By Kim Crail   |   October 17, 2019

The Montecito Library is often referred to as a gem or a special place, but you can also think of us as your mojo – your magical charm. When you need a boost, head to the library for an environment of curiosity, respect, gathering and belonging. Library staff provide a welcoming space, help you find […]
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