Thousands of classical music CDs and LPs will soon be available to Santa Barbara Public Library patrons, as the Santa Barbara Foundation recently donated its extensive collection — built up by former KDB employees — to the system. “The library is honored to provide our Santa Barbara community access to KDB’s rich collection of classical music,” said supervising librarian Jace Turner.
The wealth of music — 5,000 CDs and 1,500 LPs — was grown over 40 years by Bob Scott, his son Roby, Richard Bickle, and Steve Murphy, all four of whom held upper-level positions for KDB. In August, the Santa Barbara Foundation sold the station to KCRW for $1.3 million. Tim Owens, who previously worked as the KDB’s general manager, said he and his former coworkers were “pleased to be increasing public access to this wonderful music.”
Santa Barbara Foundation president and CEO, Ron Gallo, thanked the KDB staffers for the “lovingly assembled” collection and said the foundation’s donation “will benefit the entire community and keep this brilliant collection of classical music in the vibrant soundtrack of Santa Barbara.”