Location, location, location
As part of the Detectives Around the World feature hosted by Jen’s Book Thoughts, I’m spotlighting the setting of Sue Grafton‘s Alphabet Series featuring Kinsey Millhone. Kinsey lives and does most of her work in Santa Teresa, California, a fictionalized version of Santa Barbara. Since this is National Library Week and Kinsey does quite a bit of research in the library, I decided to feature the Santa Barbara, California Library System.
Even though Santa Barbara is known as the “American Mediterranean” and relies heavily on tourism, this city of approximately 90,000 people appears to have a healthy library system. The system boasts eight branches and features tutoring for adults, downloadable audio books and lots of fun events. They coordinate Santa Barbara Reads! which features Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Nazario this year. It also has some amazing architecture:
If you ever have a chance to go to Santa Barbara, I think it would be worth your time to visit these beautiful buildings.
Oh, very interesting. The building is beautiful. My local library is not well stocked and mostly consists of french books.
I’ve visited California (San Diego, San Francisco and Napa) but never Santa Barbara. I love that you have adapted this to Kinsey. She is my cozy favorite!
I’ve heard nothing but positives about Santa Barbara from my hairdresser whose son and his family live there. Gorgeous Kathy!
I would love to visit Santa Barbara. It sounds like a fabulous place.
What a gorgeous library (at least from the outside)! I’d like to got to Santa Barbara just to visit the spotlighted library.
That library is stunning. Love the architecture!
What a beautiful building! I always love to hear that a library in a big area is so dedicated to the community and provides all sorts of activities and services. I wish our library system was so well organized and helpful! As it is, the libraries here are small and not really well stocked. Glad to read that’s not the case everywhere!
That is a gorgeous library. Great post! It’s interesting to see other libraries and the differing architecture in other parts of the country. I’d be embarrassed to post a pic of our little library. Totally non descript, blah and bland.
Have a great week.
What an awesome idea to tie in these books with Library Week. Brilliant. And the photos make me want to see those buildings in person.
Kathy, thanks for sharing this look at some lovely libraries. I’m all for promoting them in any way whatsoever and you were most clever to do so. I love the fountain.
Thanks for spotlighting this library!! I have to visit this place when I go to Santa Barbara next!
You are right about the beautiful architecture…wow! Gorgeous. Nice angle for the location post.
Perfect post in that you were able to talk about the setting of your book as well as Library Week! That is the most beautiful library!
Beautiful pictures. I’ve been to Santa Barbara many times as my mom lives just south of there. Unfortunately, I’ve never been to their library. Next time.
Beautiful pictures. I have never been there, but you made me want to go there:)
Very, very beautiful. Thanks.
Santa Barbara is absolutely gorgeous. Mediterranean style architecture is so lovely, so Californian (what I fell in love with when I first came to CA). I didn’t realize they have a wonderful library system in S.B.. Terrific post, Kathy!
I love Santa Barbara. My husband proposed to me on the beach in front of the Four Seasons there.
Next time we go I’ll have to visit the library. It looks beautiful.
While I’ve never visited the libraries, I will vouch for the beauty of Santa Barbara. It’s one of my favorite CA cities!
I love Santa Barbara and will definitely remember these photos next time I visit and try to get by and see this.
Gorgeous library! Eight branches in a city of 90,000 is a lot; kudos to the citizens who obviously support their libraries.
What an unique way to feature a library..
What a gorgeous building, we can, make a daytrip there, you gave me an idea for this Saturday
That’s fun to see some photos of where Kinsey “lives.”
Kathy, this was such a great idea! And it’s a hit, too! Excellent. Definitely a beautiful library.
Thank you so much for putting your creativity to work for both DATW and Library Appreciation Week. I’m so grateful for your participation in the project. You’ve helped make it a success.
what a lovely library!
Kathy,
What a great way to combine DATW and National Library Week. Terrific idea! And, that library is gorgeous. Thanks for showing off a library.
Hugs!
Lesa
http://www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com
I watch the tv show Psych and it takes place in Santa Barbara. It has made me want to visit.
I love looking at architecture, especially with an old world influence. Never been to Santa Barbara but you never know. And a great library system? That’s my kind of town
Enjoy your weekend!
What beautiful pictures! I would love to visit!
Love the architecture of their buildings!!!
If only my library looked like that!
The building looks lovely! Did you take those photos using your new camera?