Annual Events

Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale
Library Central
Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale
Date: 12/01/2018 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Ages: All Ages Admission Fees: Free

Get great deals on gently used books and media for you and your friends this holiday season. Reading is a wonderful gift, and you'll have an opportunity to find just the right book for the right person! You'll find children's books, popular fiction, vintage books, holiday themes, and more! Catch the Holiday Parade then head over to the Book Sale! Free gift wrap!

The Friends of the Library Book Sale proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Christmas with Dickens
Library Aptos
Meet Dickens...and Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Mrs. Catherine Dickens, and the Ghost of Christmas
Date: 12/04/2018 at 7:00pm

Willing Suspension Armchair Theater & The Dickens Project present Christmas with Dickens

Charles Dickens just wants to talk about his book, A Christmas Carol, but what happens when Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Mrs. Catherine Dickens, and the Ghost of Christmas Present show up? Chaos, confusion, conflict, and complaints, just like a normal holiday gathering.

Willing Suspension Armchair Theater and the Dickens Project (UCSC) present an original piece written by JoAnna Rottke and directed by Karen Schamberg. Readers will be; Brian Spencer, Frank Widman, Martha Rabin, Susan Forrest and Jim Schultz.

JoAnna Rottke spent her best years as Assistant Director of the Dickens Project, a research program at UCSC devoted to the life and works of Charles Dickens. She knows more about Dickens than she'd like to admit.

This event is free, but donations are most welcome and appreciated. There will be refreshments as well as time at the end to ask questions and interact with the author, director and readers.

"I Am Jazz" Community Reading
TransFamily Support Group of Santa Cruz
Family-friendly book reading to support transgender youth
Date: 12/07/2018 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Ages: All Admission Fees: None

Join the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County, TransFamily Support Group of Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz Public Libraries for an all-ages reading of this life-affirming book by Jazz Jennings about growing up transgender. The reading will be followed by fun age-appropriate games and discussions.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries' Sesquicentennial Celebration
Library Central
Sesquicentennial Celebration
Date: 12/07/2018 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Ages: All Admission Fees: Free

Save the date for the biggest bash of the year! SCPL is celebrating 150 years as a library system!

 

Live music with Joshua Lowe & the Juncos, a very special cake from Edith Meyer, mulled cider, memorabilia, and the work of local artists. celebrating the written word. This is your First Friday destination. As part of the birthday celebration, we've invited local artists and the Museum of Art and History to exhibit work that celebrates libraries, words, stories, and writers.

 

Artists include Jody Alexander (book arts), Felicia Rice (Moving Parts Press), Bridget Henry (woodblock prints), Linda Craighead (prints and photographs), and members of Printmakers @ the Tannery: Johanna Atkinson, Margy Baron, Leah Belair, Julie Erreca, Jane Gregorius, Cindy Haug, Andree LeBourveau, Lu Lee, Ann Miya, Mary Neater, Janis O'Driscoll, Bob Rocco, Lynne Simpson, and Frank Trueba.

Friends of the Scotts Valley Library Holiday Book Sale
Library Scotts Valley
Friends of the Scotts Valley Library Holiday Book Sale
Date: 12/08/2018 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Ages: All Ages Admission Fees: Free

Looking for the perfect gift? Who wouldn't love a book for the holidays?

Gently used children young adult, and adult books, including some really nice children and young adult book sets, antiquarian books, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks will be sold. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library.

Reach for the Stars
Library Scotts Valley
Calling all stargazers! This program will explore the ins and outs of all facets of astronomy for adults and families.
Date: 12/11/2018 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Admission Fees: Free

Calling all stargazers! This program will explore the ins and outs of all facets of astronomy for adults and families. Whether you're an experienced astronomer or someone who doesn't know the difference between a comet and an asteroid, this program is for you! Topics will vary month-to-month.

Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
Library Scotts Valley
Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
Date: 12/15/2018 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
Ages: All Ages Admission Fees: Free
Special Instructions: Central 10am, Scotts Valley 12:30pm, Aptos 3pm

A magic show inspired by the most magical season of the year, a time of shorter days, colder nights, and annual celebrations of light.

 

Come warm yourself this season with a little fun and a whole lot of wonder!

 

All ages are welcome to come laugh, smile, and participate in this very special seasonal magic show.

 

Central 10am, Scotts Valley 12:30pm, Aptos 3pm

Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
Library Aptos
Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
Date: 12/15/2018 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Ages: All Ages Admission Fees: Free
Special Instructions: Central 10am, Scotts Valley 12:30pm, Aptos 3pm

A magic show inspired by the most magical season of the year, a time of shorter days, colder nights, and annual celebrations of light.

 

Come warm yourself this season with a little fun and a whole lot of wonder!

 

All ages are welcome to come laugh, smile, and participate in this very special seasonal magic show.

 

Central 10am, Scotts Valley 12:30pm, Aptos 3pm

Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
Library Central
Winter Magic with Mike Della Penna
Date: 12/15/2018 from 10:00am to 11:00am
Ages: All Ages Admission Fees: Free
Special Instructions: Central 10am, Scotts Valley 12:30pm, Aptos 3pm

A magic show inspired by the most magical season of the year, a time of shorter days, colder nights, and annual celebrations of light.

 

Come warm yourself this season with a little fun and a whole lot of wonder!

 

All ages are welcome to come laugh, smile, and participate in this very special seasonal magic show.

 

Central 10am, Scotts Valley 12:30pm, Aptos 3pm

Family Lagoon Watch
Library Live Oak
A Nature Study Program with a variety of activities inspired by the natural environment of Corcoran Lagoon
Date: Every Sa (Sep 15-Dec 15) from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Admission Fees: Free

A Nature Study Program with a variety of activities inspired by the natural environment of Corcoran Lagoon.

• Learn about the environment and local wildlife with local experts.
• Bird Watching
• Examine microscopic creatures
• Watercolor painting, printing, writing and reading.

Adults must accompany children under 10. Not suitable for very young children.

Seasonal Kids Craft Days
Library Central
Join us at the Downtown Library, upstairs Young People's Room, for seasonal crafts!
Date: 12/17/2018 from 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Ages: Ages 3 and older Admission Fees: Free
Special Instructions: We will get messy so dress accordingly.

Join us at the Downtown Library, upstairs Young People's Room, for seasonal crafts! We will get messy so dress accordingly. Ages 3 and older. We will be using permanent paints and markers as well as small objects like beads and pins. Always fun and always free!

 

Additional Seasonal Kids Craft Days on Monday November 19th and Monday December 17th.

Death Cafe
Library Central
Open ended discussion about death
Date: 01/03/2019 from 10:30am to 12:00pm
Ages: 18 yrs & up Admission Fees: Free
Special Instructions: Mon 14th & Fri 18th

At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death.

Come gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. A Death Café is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is not a grief support group or counseling session, just some folks getting together to eat cake and talk about death.

 

Thursday, January 3rd, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Downtown Library,224 Church St.

 

Learn more at Death Cafe Website

Program provided by Hospice of Santa Cruz County.

 

Boulder Creek Library Community Meeting & Design Discussion
Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Boulder Creek Library Community Meeting & Design Discussion
Date: 01/17/2019 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Ages: 18+ Admission Fees: n/a

Please join us to learn more about the plans for the renovation of the existing Boulder Creek library and for an opportunity to share thoughts about the proposed plans for the new space.

Presentation and discussion led by Santa Cruz Public Libraries and County of Santa Cruz.

Family Literacy Fun Day
Triple P
Family, Postive Parenting with the librarians, fun activities and information
Date: 01/19/2019 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Ages: All Admission Fees: Free

Get practical tips for helping children learn how to treat others with respect, develop good communication and social skills, and develop healthy self-esteem. This Triple P Seminar is free and open to CalWORKs participants only. CalWORKs participants should contact their Employment and Training Specialists to let them know if they plan on attending.

Presented in English by: Dr. Lourdes Barraza, Triple P practitioner
Location: Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Room 913

Film Series ~ Saving Otter 501
Library Friends
The film follows the 501st otter pup to be rescued by the aquarium from the time she is found stranded on a beach through her re
Date: 01/22/2019 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Join your Friends with Our Community Reads for the Film Series ~ Saving Otter 501!

Presented by Michelle Staedler, Otter Expert at the Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA). The film follows the 501st otter pup to be rescued by the aquarium from the time she is found stranded on a beach through her rehabilitation and release into the wild. Learn about MBA's otter rescue program and why otters are such an important species for Monterey Bay.

Popcorn provided. Show your library card and get a free cookie!

Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Monschke Hall, Room 7100.

Contact friendsoftheaptoslibrary@fscpl.org with any questions.

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Our Community Reads is a program launched in August 2017 by the
Aptos Chapter of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
The goal is to create a shared experience by having members of the entire Santa Cruz community - from teens to adults - all reading the same book.

Yin Yoga for All
Library Scotts Valley
Gentle stretches, yin-style yoga, and some mindfulness and breathing exercise
Date: Every 2 weeks on Sa (Jan 12-Jan 26) from 10:00am to 11:00am
Ages: Tweens/Teens, Parents,Educators Admission Fees: Free

A healthy body shouldn't cost a fortune. Luckily the library has you covered! Join us at the Scotts Valley Library on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10-11 am for gentle stretches, yin-style yoga, and some mindfulness and breathing exercises. This program is FREE! No experience is necessary but you should bring your own yoga mat or towel.

Our Community Reads
Library Aptos
Create a stronger future for your community by reveling with your Friends in the wonders of the Monterey Bay!
Date: Every day (Jan 1-Jan 31)
Ages: Adults Admission Fees: Free

Create Comaraderie by Reveling in the Wonders of the Monterey Bay with your Neighbors and Friends!

 

Donate today to Our Community Reads!

Our Community Reads strengthens your local neighborhood by bringing neighbors together to enjoy a shared experience. And the topic for next year can be seen in your Monterey Bay!

The 2019 selection for Our Community Reads is Death and Life of Monterey Bay by Stephen R. Palumbi and Carolyn Sotka. It's an inspiring tale of the rebirth of one of our most valuable, local natural resources. 

 

Your donation today will fund:

• A Trivia Night
• Several Speakers Forums
• A Poetry Slam
• Movie Night 
• And more!

For every $35 you give to Our Community Reads, you provide two books to individuals with tight budgets who would like to join the discussion, or to students from your local high school or Cabrillo College, or for books to go directly to the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, so others can check out and research their Monterey Bay.

Visit https://fscpl.org/ocr/ for more information about Our Community Reads!

Girls Who Code
Library Scotts Valley
3rd-5th grade girls will build sisterhood, read and reflect on the Girls Who Code book, and complete various challenges over a
Date: Every Th (Jan 17-Mar 21) from 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Ages: 8-18 Admission Fees: Free

Girls Who Code (GWC) is a program meant to bridge the gender gap in the field of tech.

In Session A, 3rd-5th grade girls will build sisterhood, read and reflect on the Girls Who Code book, and complete various challenges over a 10-week course.

 

Every Thursday

January 17th-March 21st- 3:30pm - 4:30 p.m

 

Space is limited and attendees MUST register.

CLICK AND REGISTER

Special Storytime: Local authors read Wally the Wave
Library Live Oak
Special Storytime: Local authors read Wally the Wave
Date: 02/03/2019 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Ages: all ages Admission Fees: Free

Diversity, Inclusivity and Art!

Come explore themes of inclusivity through the enchanting children's book: Wally the Wave. This book was co-created by Pastor Ryan Althaus and Noah. They will discuss the artistic process for creating and illustrating their new children's book. We'll end with an arts and craft project.

Bio: Ryan is the founder of Sweaty Sheep Ministries (sweatysheep.com). Noah is a member of Costanoa Commons Farm an organic inclusive farm being developed in Santa Cruz.