Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries

Are you passionate about libraries and community? ✨ Join us in building a new chapter of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries! We're seeking enthusiastic individuals to help shape the future of the Branciforte Branch Library. Together we can create vibrant spaces that foster learning, inspire creativity, and inspire community members. 📖

New Friends Chapter Planning Meeting
August 29, 2024 at 1 pm
Branciforte Branch Library Community Room
230 Gault Street, Santa Cruz

Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries support the Santa Cruz Public Libraries through fundraising, volunteer services, and advocacy. The Friend’s goal is to create stronger neighborhoods and a culturally enriched county through accessible and diverse library programs.

Reminder - this Saturday, August 10 from 3 to 7pm. join us for a community event on the green at New Leaf Market in Aptos. The store is celebrating 5 years serving the Aptos community with a free event featuring live music, sampling, vendors, and local wine & beer tasting. 100% of the proceeds benefits the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. We'll see you there!✨

New Leaf Community Markets

Join us for a community event on the green at New Leaf Market in Aptos. The store is celebrating 5 years serving the Aptos community with a free event featuring live music, sampling, vendors, and local wine & beer tasting. 100% of the proceeds benefits the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. We'll see you there!✨

The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Executive Director, Sarah Beck, as we continue our work advocating for the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and its impact in the community. Ms. Beck brings experience, leadership and creative energy towards achieving our collective goals.

“I am passionate about the role of our public libraries as critical centers for lifelong learning, innovation, civic life, and valued collections” said Ms. Beck. “It is an honor to be joining many passionate advocates at Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.”

Ms. Beck is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience working in museum, public garden, and media fields, most recently as Executive Director of Pacific Horticulture. She lives with her family in Santa Cruz.

With heat advisories in the forecast, our branch libraries are cool, welcoming spaces for both kids and adults. 📖🌿

Pictured here, the beautifully renovated Scotts Valley Branch Library.

Branch hours:
Monday - Thursday 10am to 6pm
Friday - Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sundays closed

Learn more about the wonderful work of the Scotts Valley Library Friends at fsvpl.org

Happy 4th of July! We hope you are enjoying the holiday.

All branches are closed today and will resume regular hours beginning Friday 7/5.

The Community Room at the Felton Branch Library will be available to the community as a cooling center today from 11am to 6pm. However, no other library services at the Felton branch will be available.

Find all regular branch locations and hours of operation at santacruzpl.org.

We've got a hot couple of days ahead. ☀ Beat the heat by browsing or working at your local branch library. Pictured here the Capitola Branch which reopened after construction in June 2021.

friendsscpl.org

Join us in supporting our Santa Cruz Public Libraries! 📖 Become a Friend by contributing today at fscpl.org/donate

Your generous donation:
🔹Funds new books, author events, and exciting programs for kids and adults.
🔹Supports access to computers, Wi-Fi, and other essential learning tools.
🔹Strengthens our libraries as community hubs, fostering connection and lifelong learning.

Donate today and help keep our libraries thriving! fscpl.org/donate

Great news! Santa Cruz County Probation, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE) and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are proud to announce the opening of the Robert A. Hartman School Library at Santa Cruz County Juvenile Hall.

https://santacruzcoe.org/library-opens-for-students-at-santa-cruz-county-juvenile-hall/

Today is the 1st day of summer! Be sure to check out the Summer Reading Program now through July 31st at all 10 public library branches and bookmobile stops.

santacruzpl.org/pages/srp

Today we celebrate the emancipation of slavery in America and a journey toward freedom and justice for all.

June 19, 1865 in Texas, Union Major General Gordon Granger read the following order:

"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere."

nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth

Garfield Park Branch Library ca. 1920-1930. Photo description from UCSC Digital Archives: Walk Circle, Woodrow Avenue

The County of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Public Libraries announce installation of the “The Letters,” a sculpture by artists David and Sooja (Soo) Choi at the new Live Oak Library Annex.

Artists David and Soo Choi collaborated on the fabrication of the 7-foot tall, welded steel sculpture, composed of over 1,000 individually cut letters which form a crouching figure in the process of picking up words. The title of the work refers to the way that words and letters come alive to convey meaning, helping us to understand ourselves and our world. “The Letters” conveys a sense of one’s own destiny, through words of affirmation such as “liberty,’ “happiness,” “love,” “unity,” “justice,” “peace,” and “hope.” It reminds us that how we move through the world is our choice.

All year round, the shadows created by “The Letters” will delight visitors to the Annex, the adjoining Simpkins Family Swim Center, Live Oak Community Center and Parks Department offices.

Soo Choi has been drawn to creating large public sculptures for 40 years. She specializes in working with various metals, acrylic, as well as mixed media materials. She immigrated to the United States in 1982.

David Sehyoon Choi studied printmaking at the esteemed Hongik University in Seoul, Korea. He immigrated to the United States with his wife, Soo Choi, in 1982. Working as a team while each retaining their distinctive style is essential to their work.

The artists currently live and work in the San Francisco Bay Area.

City of Santa Cruz staff recently provided an update on the much-anticipated downtown library and affordable housing project. Construction is slated to begin in early 2025.

Read all about it at https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2024/05/16/city-offers-update-on-library-project

The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries are celebrating love, diversity, and the freedom to be yourself! We believe libraries are for everyone, and we're proud to support the LGBTQ+ community. ️‍

fscpl.org

Here's a throwback to 1968. Assistant Librarian Elizabeth "Betty" Barnes helps library patrons check out their books at the Santa Cruz City & County Library.

Photo is from the UC Santa Cruz Digital Archives.

Here's a cozy and brightly lit reading nook at the beautiful Capitola Branch Library ☀

The branch opened after being rebuilt in 2021 thanks to Measure S bond funds approved by voters in 2016. The footprint expanded from 4,300 to 11,700 square feet and now includes a chldren’s room, teen room, community rooms, more public computers, a fireplace, and desks with outlets for electronic devices.

Find all branch locations and hours at santacruzpl.org. Learn about the great work of the Friends of the Capitola Branch Library at capitolalibraryfriends.org.

Garfield Park Library is Hosting their Inaugural Book Sale on Saturday May 18 from 12 noon to 4pm at 705 Woodrow, Santa Cruz. ✨📖

Gently used books, dvds, cds, and more! If you love mysteries, romance novels, and children's books, this sale is for you. Cookies for the sale are baked by local celebrity chef, Stephany Buswell, owner of Chefany. All proceeds benefit the activities and programs at the Garfield Park Branch Library.

Save the date! Saturday June 8 from 11am to 3pm the Felton Library Friends are hosting a celebration for the Felton Branch Library and Discovery Park. The will be plenty of activities, live music, ice cream and lemonade. We can't wait! ☀

Location: 6121 Gushee Street in Felton

Our Santa Cruz Public Libraries invite adults, children and their family members to visit their local library, Bookmobile, and santacruzpl.org/srp to sign up for this year's Summer Reading Program. ☀📖

The theme this year is Read, Renew, Repeat, a conservation message inviting participants to reduce consumption and reuse materials, and to read as a restorative measure for self-care and renewal.

The program kicks off Saturday, June 1 at 10am at the Aptos Branch Library. Festivities include performances by Magician James Chan, MusicalMe, face painting with Wisteria Faerie Creations and a performance by local musicians Cement Ship.

“The Summer Reading Program is all about celebrating reading for pleasure and encouraging children and everyone to keep reading all summer long.” Youth Programs and Services Manager Heather Norquist said. “I love that we have this opportunity to host special performances by magicians, puppeteers, musicians and more, and that we give children books as incentive prizes to build their home libraries”.

Participants win prizes for reaching their goals through each of the reading milestones set by the program. During the next two months, every branch in system and Bookmobile will host free activities for children, teens, and adults to encourage and support a love of reading.

Did you know that the Santa Cruz Public Libraries are powered by amazing friends like YOU? ✨

By becoming a Friend of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, you'll directly support essential programs and services that keep our libraries thriving. Your friendship means more resources and educational events.

Ready to become a Friend? It's easy! Head over to the website to contribute: fscpl.org/donate

The garden is in bloom at the Garfield Park Branch Library. Thank you to Mark Woodward for this recent sunny photo! ☀️🌿

Visit the branch at 705 Woodrow Avenue in Santa Cruz60
Mon-Thu 10am to 6pm
Fri-Sat 10am to 5pm

Find upcoming events and activities at santacruzpl.org/branches

We are celebrating the vibrant cultures, rich history, and incredible achievements of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities this month 🏮🌺

Learn more about how our public libraries are honoring the commemoration with books for all ages. santacruzpl.org

Want to learn how to quilt? Starting May 6 from 11am to 3pm quilters will meet at Boulder Creek Branch Library to work on projects. More seasoned quilters will share their skills with beginners.

The group will meet the 1st Monday of the month thereafter. Bring your own sewing machine and material, but cutting mats, rulers and an iron will be provided.

The beautiful Garfield Park Branch Library is holding its Inaugural Book Sale on Saturday May 18 from noon to 4pm. Save the date!

You'll find books in many categories and freshly baked cookies! 🍪

The Friends of the Scotts Valley Library announce a Book Sale on Saturday, May 4 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Scotts Valley Branch Library in the Fireside Lounge. 📖

Bargain hunters can find gently used books, dvds, cds, audiobooks, puzzles and games. Plus books on gardening, crafts, cooking, travel, history, nature, humor, and poetry. Fiction in all formats! Teachers and parents come see the huge selection of children’s books including those for middle schoolers and young adults.

Cash, checks, cards, and ApplePay accepted. All proceeds benefit the activities and programs at the Scotts Valley Branch Library.

Take a look at this beautiful photo of the Felton Branch Library at dusk. The view here is from the entrance to the Felton Discovery Park where native and pollinator plants are in bloom. 🌼🌿🐝

Photo by Christopher Sharp

Felton Library Friends

It's World Book Day! The commemoration was organized by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to promote reading, publishing, and copyright, and is observed on April 23 every year.

🌎 Earth Day 2024 celebrates the achievements of the environmental movement and highlights the need to protect the Earth for future generations. ✨

Find books on environmental protection and climate change at your local Santa Cruz County public library. 📖

Now that spring has sprung, be sure to spend some time in outdoor spaces at the library. Pictured here, the beautiful Felton Discovery Park at the Felton Library at 6121 Gushee Street in Felton.

🌿Native and riparian plant walkway and pollinator garden
🌿Natural play areas to engage children in climbing and exploration
🌿Interpretive signs about pollinators, watershed, and riparian zones
🌿Benches and paths for strolling, conversing, and relaxing

Felton Library Friends
Photo by Kristin Vincent