The Santa Maria Public Library system provides library services to about 170,000 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

Bookmobile: (805) 925-0994 extension 8657 or email the Bookmobile Desk

Circulation: (805) 925-0994 extension 8563

Passports: (805) 925-0994 extension 8566

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

Dawn Jackson
Library Director
Public Library
421 South McClelland Street
Santa Maria, Ca 93454
City Phone: (805) 925-0994 extension 2319
E-mail: djackson@cityofsantamaria.org

 EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT: 

• Master of Library and Information Sciences, San Jose State University
• Bachelor of Arts, California State University, Bakersfield
• Library Director, City of Santa Maria
• Interim Library Director, City of Santa Maria
• Librarian III, City of Santa Maria
• Librarian II, City of Santa Maria
• Librarian I, County of Kern
• Library Associate, County of Kern
• Library Serials Supervisor, Walter Stiern Library, California State University Bakersfield

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: 

• American Library Association
• California Library Association
• Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services
• Association of Library Services to Children

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Library Director provides strategic leadership and oversight of operations for the Library and its major divisions of Circulation, Reference, Youth, and Outreach Services including contracted service for four County branch library locations in Cuyama, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, and Orcutt.

MISSION STATEMENT

To inspire literacy and lifelong learning, embracing and strengthening our diverse community through free and equitable access to information, knowledge and services.

2023-24 Goals and Objectives

1. Enhance Library program opportunities for children and families by partnering with Children’s Resource and Referral and other community organizations to establish an Early Learning Library Hub and Library programs in alternate community physical locations around the community.

    

2. Support the Smart City, Safe City vision by expanding Bookmobile services in the City and County with Measure U funding by adding three additional stops to the regular route and increasing outreach focusing on underserved populations in the community.

    

3. Continue working with an architectural firm to complete assessment of Main Library layout and begin planning phase for redesign spaces, to meet anticipated patron needs and enhance the Library experience.

    

4. Install updated security camera equipment and software aligning with the Smart City Safe City vision.

    

5. Create an internal professional development series for library personnel to increase technical proficiency and industry knowledge, leading to higher staff engagement and job satisfaction.(Observation: This takes a nearly annual goal to the next level).

    

6. Implement two part-time dedicated Library Security Officers, through Measure U funding, to provide continued safety for Public Library users and staff. (Observation: this is funded by the mid-cycle budget).

    

7. Collaborate with the Finance Department to assess Library patron accounts in collections and develop criteria for resolving same to ensure streamlined operations.

    

8. Evaluate current trends for collection development and circulation to adjust purchasing allocations, maximizing available funding, and increasing operational efficiency.

    

9. Prepare an analysis of Black Gold services to determine the value versus cost of membership and ensure proper expenditure of City funds.

    

10. Establish a working group with CMO to create a document outlining city values and business operational practices for clear communication to staff and the public regarding values and work alignment for the city.

Library Organizational Chart