Tuesday, April 29 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: Dorosin Memorial Conference Room

Join us for Backgammon at the library, where players of all skill levels—beginners and experienced—can enjoy one of the world’s oldest and most strategic board games. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned player looking to sharpen your skills, this event is perfect for you!

What to Expect:

New to Backgammon? Our volunteers and fellow participants will guide you through the basics, explaining the rules, strategies, and tips to get you rolling with confidence. Already a pro? Challenge your peers, share strategies, and help foster a welcoming environment for newer players. Friendly competition is encouraged!

Highlights:

Introduction to Backgammon: Learn the fundamentals—rules, setup, and game flow. Guided Play: Play alongside others, with staff available to assist with questions and strategy tips. Friendly Competition: Experienced players can participate in informal matches. Social Fun: Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, meet new people, and have fun while exercising your mind.

When: Every Tuesday 
Where: Aptos Library - Conference Room

                                                Bring a friend or come solo—everyone’s welcome!

Backgammon is not just a game of luck, but a game of skill, tactics, and social interaction. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn or a veteran eager for a challenge, this is the perfect opportunity to experience a beloved classic. We hope to see you there!

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Tuesday, April 29 (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Aptos

Project SCOUT offers Volunteer income tax assistance and tax counseling for local residents during tax season at sites throughout Santa Cruz County. Volunteers are trained by Internal Revenue Service and Franchise Tax Board personnel. For disabled individuals unable to get to the tax sites, they have trained volunteers who can do in-home tax preparation. Seniors get priority at all library sessions.

 

Appointments are necessary for tax help and can be made by calling 831-427-7713 or by visiting the Downtown Branch Library Reference Desk.

 

For more information, call the Watsonville Office at 1-831-724-2606 or toll-free at 1-877-373-8297. Or visit the Project Scout Website: Project Scout

INCOME OF $64,000 and below, simple returns only.

El proyecto SCOUT y sus voluntarios ofrecen asistencia con preparación de impuestos y asesoría fiscal para residentes locales durante la temporada de impuestos del gobierno en sitios ubicados por todo el condado de Santa Cruz. Voluntarios están capacitados por el personal del IRS y el Franchise Tax Board (impuestos de ingresos estatales) de California. Para los individuos discapacitados incapaz de llegar a los sitios de asistencia, tendrán voluntarios preparados para ayudar con preparación de impuestos en su domicilio.

Para más información, llama a la oficina de Watsonville al 1-831-724-2606 o con llamada gratuita al 1-877-373-8297. También puede visitar el sitio web (solo en inglés): El Proyecto Scout

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Tuesday, April 29 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak Library Annex at 979 17th Ave
Room: Live Oak Library Annex Meeting Room

Led by volunteer coaches from the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center, the award-winning falls prevention training program, A Matter of Balance, offers an evidenced-based approach to reducing the fear of falling and increasing activity levels among older adults.

Participants learn simple exercises in balance and strength building to help prevent falls, as well as home safety tips. In small group sessions, we explore techniques to overcome the fear of falling, so participants come away with a well-rounded approach to staying safe and healthy at home, and beyond.

This is an 8-session workshop series for adults over 60, with either a fear of falling or have experienced a fall.

Space is limited and registration is required. To register, please contact Ares Bartell: ares.bartell@scvolunteercenter.org or (831) 205-0160.

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Tuesday, April 29 (10:15 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Ow Family Community Room

Join us for a fun and interactive dance program for children ages 2-5! The library has partnered with local dance studio International Academy of Dance (IAD) to explore movement, rhythm, and creativity through stories and music. Each session blends storytelling with dance, helping children develop coordination, self-expression, and a love for books and movement. No dance experience is needed—just bring your imagination and energy!

Participants will need their parent or guardian to read and sign a Waiver of Liability, Release, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement in order to participate. 

Register Now!

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Tuesday, April 29 (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Downtown

Join us in the Young People's room at the Downtown Library for storytime!  We'll share stories, songs, and rhymes in a safe environment. Stay and play after storytime. This program is intended for children aged 0-5. Craft kits will be provided every week to make in the library or to take home.

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Tuesday, April 29 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak

Come join Librarian Julie for stories, songs, and lots of fun for toddlers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated Live Oak Library Branch every Tuesday at 11am.

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Tuesday, April 29 (11:00 AM - 11:45 AM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Fireside Community Room

Come join Librarian Emily for stories, songs, and lots of fun for toddlers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated Scotts Valley Library Branch every Tuesday at 11am.

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Tuesday, April 29 (11:00 AM - 11:20 AM)
Location: Aptos

Toddler Time is a weekly early literacy program for families with children ages 0-3 years old. Music, movement, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, and songs are a fun way for your child to learn while spending valuable social time with other children and their caregivers. Please arrive on time. Let's play and learn together!

Location: Aptos Children's Room

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Tuesday, April 29 (11:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online

The California State Library and Pacific Library Partnership are pleased to invite you to the next CalMatters online event “Renter’s Rights – Eviction Protections” on Tuesday, April 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Join Housing Reporter Ben Christopher and Deputy Editor Richard Procter for a discussion about housing affordability in California. The event will be recorded and made available for viewing afterwards on the CalMatters for Learning page. 

Please register here.

Please also check out the new companion online resources about Renter’s Rights on CalMatters for Learning, a package of materials supported by the California State Library to help library staff, patrons, educators and organizers bring important issues to their communities.

This project is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

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Tuesday, April 29 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Life Literacies Center

Volunteer Housing Navigators provides housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness every Tuesday, 11:30-1 in the Life Literacies Center.

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Tuesday, April 29 (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Join us for this weekly peer support group for new parents facilitated by two local postpartum doulas. This program offers a welcoming space for new parents to learn from each other, make new friends, get breastfeeding and bottle feeding support, and access to helpful resources. Come in with your questions, concerns, or just for a safe place to meet other parents and create community. Bring your own blanket, snacks, toys, and please feel free to bring older siblings! 

Free Drop-in basis No registration need

 

 

 

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Tuesday, April 29 (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: Live Oak Library Annex at 979 17th Ave
Room: Live Oak Library Annex Meeting Room

¡Acompáñanos en el Anexo de la Biblioteca de Live Oak los martes de 1 a 2:30 pm para tener la oportunidad de practicar sus habilidades en el idioma inglés con nuevos amigos y con la profesora de ESL, Peggy Miles!

El Anexo de la Biblioteca de Live Oak se puede encontrar en 979 17th Ave, en Simpkins Family Swim Center.

Please join us at the Live Oak Library Annex at Simpkins on Tuesdays from 1-2:30pm for a chance to practice your English language skills with new friends and ESL teacher, Peggy Miles!

The Live Oak Library Annex can be found at 979 17th Ave, at Simpkins Family Swim Center.

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Tuesday, April 29 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Study Room

A Housing Matters Outreach Specialist will be available at the Felton Library every Tuesday, 1:00-3:00pm, to support people experiencing homelessness and help connect them to resources, navigate housing options, and sign up for benefits. This is a drop-in service - first come, first served.

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Tuesday, April 29 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak

R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading and comprehension instruction for readers 1st through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Tuesdays from 3:00p to 5:00p. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only.

For more information or to register, contact SCPL Telephone Information: 831-427-7713 or elibrary@santacruzpl.org

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Tuesday, April 29 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Garfield Park

R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading and comprehension instruction for readers 1st through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Tuesdays from 3:00p to 5:00p. Sessions are 25 minutes long. By appointment only.

For more information or to register, contact SCPL Telephone Information: 831-427-7713 or elibrary@santacruzpl.org

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Tuesday, April 29 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Fireside Community Room

Make and explore STEAM possibilities at Scotts Valley Branch Library! 

Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts and exploration of the environment around us.

Best for children 6+. Children under 6 yrs old will need an adult present to help them. Expect to get messy! The program will take place in the Scotts Valley Library Fireside Room and / or patio. 

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Tuesday, April 29 (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room

Come and play chess, one of the world’s oldest and most popular games, against other kids! One-hour meetings include 15 minutes of instruction by chess master Dana Mackenzie. For ages 6-18. We welcome all skill levels, but encourage beginners to at least learn the basic rules (how the pieces move) before coming the first time.

Note to parents: Chess is a great way for kids to build sportsmanship, concentration, and reasoning skills, while having a lot of fun!

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Wednesday, April 30 (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley

Common Spirit Health/Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering together to connect services that support the physical, mental and economic health and well-being of patrons and provide equitable care to underserved communities with weekly visits to the Scotts Valley branch library. Join us on Wednesdays.

Hours

9:00a-12:00p and 1:00p-3:00p Closed for holidays and inclement weather

Services provided 

Bilingual (English & Spanish) staff  Evaluation and treatment of both acute and chronic health care needs Screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer Flu shots Referrals to community providers for specialty care, including mental health Help navigating the health care system and local resources

Common Spirit Health/Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic y las Bibliotecas Públicas de Santa Cruz se han asociado para conectar servicios que respaldan la salud física, mental y económica, así como el bienestar de los usuarios, y brindar atención equitativa a comunidades desatendidas con visitas semanales a la biblioteca de Scotts Valley. Acompáñenos los miércoles.

Horario

9:00 a. m. - 12:00 p. m. y 1:00 p. m. - 3:00 p. m. Cerrado en días festivos y en caso de mal tiempo.
 

Servicios proporcionados

Personal bilingüe (inglés y español) Evaluación y tratamiento de necesidades de atención médica agudas y crónicas Evaluaciones para diabetes, presión arterial alta y cáncer Vacunes contra la gripe Referencias a proveedores comunitarios para atención especializada, incluida la salud mental Ayuda para navegar el sistema de atención médica y recursos locales.

 

     

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Wednesday, April 30 (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Brad Mcdonald Conference Room

Are you stuck with a technology question?

One of our tech savvy staff members at the Capitola Library would like to help you troubleshoot your question with a 30 minute (or less) appointment. Possible topics may include: creating an email account, creating documents, attaching files, using premium subscription library resources, downloading and streaming content like movies, books, and audiobooks, and more. Please bring any devices you use, and have your necessary passwords and library card with you. 

Please make an appointment in advance here: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/capitola#s-lc-public-pt

Please call telephone information (831-427-7713) if you require assistance making an appointment.

We look forward to helping you!

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Wednesday, April 30 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Life Literacies Center

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) and Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) are partnering together to provide the HGP office hours at the Downtown Santa Cruz Branch Library.  The HGP open office hours provides people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to learn more about HGP services and programs.  Additionally, this partnership will make library spaces available for the HGP to meet with clients, service providers, community organizations, and others to support a thriving and inclusive community, workforce, and local food system. 

Walk-ins welcome, everyone served on a first come, first served basis