Saturday, August 24 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Scotts Valley

Who says wellness has to cost an arm and a leg? Join us the 2nd and 4th Saturday morning of each month for some gentle yin yoga and stretches. BYO yoga mat or towel. Good for all ages and abilities.

Saturday, August 24 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Downtown Upstairs Meeting Room

Poetry gives rise to the full expression of self. Join the circle led by local poet, Magdalena Montagne, for this free monthly workshop. Create your poems in a friendly supportive atmosphere. All levels welcome.

Saturday, August 24 (10:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
Location: Downtown

Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive, non-judgmental reading partners for children reading aloud. Children have individual 20-minute appointments to sit with a dog and read.

Registration required. To register, e-mail tales2tails@santacruzpl.org or call 831-427-7717.

Saturday, August 24 (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley

Adults need playtime too! Come play with us for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library's many games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. Some of the titles we carry are:

• Settlers of Catan
• Disney Monopoly
• Deadwood Studios, USA
• Star Trek: The Interactive VHS Board Game
• Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game
• Unspeakable Words
• Candy Land
• Pandemic
• Battleship
• Apples to Apples
• Elder Sign
• Bananagrams
• Lord of the Fries
• Ticket to Ride
• King of New York
• Dead of Winter
• 7 Wonders
• Elysium
• Disney Scene It
• Flick 'Em Up
• Vikings on Board
• Last Night on Earth
• Imhotep
• Flash Point
• Dixit
• Risk: Marvel Cinematic Universe Edition
• Star Trek: Attack Wing
• Kill Doctor Lucky (Board game and card game)
• Paris Connection
• Dominion
• Codenames
• Stuff and Nonsense
• Tak
• Exploding Kittens
• Freedom: The Underground Railroad
• Turbulence
• Braiiiins!
• Zombie DIce
• Fluxx
• Black Market Warehouse
• Evil Baby Orphanage
• Give Me the Brain!
• Unexploded Cow
• Brawl
• The Star Wars Game
• Clue
• Whodunit
• D&D Basic Board Game
• Shogi
• a set of classic board games like chess, backgammon, and checkers
• and more!

Saturday, August 24 (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: La Selva Beach

Five program series of illustrated talks dealing with various themes, topics, and periods of time in World History. Presented by retired UCSC & CSUMB professor, Robert W. Strayer.

1:00 - 2:30 pm at the La Selva Beach Library

April 20: In the Beginning: 95% of the Human Story (The Paleolithic Era)

May 18: The Breakthrough to Agriculture: Catastrophe or Progress?

June 15: The Rise of World Religions: Origins, Spread, and Adaptation

July 20: The Columbus Connection: 1492 and the Joining of Two Worlds

August 24: The Rise and Fall of World Communism in the 20th Century

Saturday, August 24 (1:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: La Selva Beach

Come to the La Selva Beach Library for family fun arts & crafts. A new self-directed project every week.

Saturday, August 24 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Downtown Upstairs Meeting Room

Children's chess instruction with full time teacher and master, Gjon Feinstein, for students up to 18 years old. Meets all Saturdays of the month except the first Saturday. Parents and/or other relatives are welcome to participate. This program is free.

Saturday, August 24 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Boulder Creek

What is Equine Evacuation? What do they do for a community during an emergency? Join us for a conversation with Mary Sullivan of the Santa Cruz County Equine Evacuation Unit to find out about the rescue work that they do in the face of danger and how they interface with different government agencies. Whether you're a Disaster Service Worker looking to get more involved, a curious citizen, or an animal lover, this program is for you!

This lecture is done in conjunction with Epicenter: The Loma Prieta Earthquake 30th Anniversary Oral Histories Project.

Sunday, August 25 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Downtown

One of our tech savvy librarians will help you with a variety of technology services during weekly drop-in 20-30 minute appointments. First come first served, appointments are taken in order of appearance. Topics include: creating an email account, creating word documents, attaching files, using premium subscription library resources, downloading and streaming content like movies, books, and audiobooks, and much more! Please bring any devices you use, and have your necessary passwords and library card with you. 

Monday, August 26 (11:15 AM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak

Get together with other knitters to knit, chat, and make new friends. No registration required. The group meets every Monday from 11am- 1pm. Call 427-7711 for more information.

Monday, August 26 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley

Join us every Monday afternoon at the Scotts Valley Branch for a knitting party. All you need to do is bring some yarn and knitting needles. All ages are welcome. For more info call 831-427-7712. 

Monday, August 26 (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
Location: Downtown

One of our tech savvy librarians will help you with a variety of technology services during weekly drop-in 20-30 minute appointments. First come first served, appointments are taken in order of appearance. Topics include: creating an email account, creating word documents, attaching files, using premium subscription library resources, downloading and streaming content like movies, books, and audiobooks, and much more! Please bring any devices you use, and have your necessary passwords and library card with you. 

Monday, August 26 (5:15 PM - 6:30 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Downtown Upstairs Meeting Room

Topic- Aware: Keeping your Money Eyes Open: Scams and Threats

What would happen if someone stole your online identity or your computer? Put on your detective hat and arm yourself as we investigate the current landscape of online, email and phone fraud, thanks to the local police. Take away a list of the most common schemes and how to detect them.

4th Monday of the Month
Downtown Library • 224 Church St.
5:15-6:30pm

Tuesday, August 27 (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Downtown Downstairs Meeting Room

An Encompass Downtown Outreach worker will be available on a drop-in basis for anyone with questions regarding connecting to social services, county mental health, addiction recovery options, housing applications, the Homeward Bound bus ticket program, obtaining an HSC PO Box, clearing camping tickets, obtaining a fee-free DMV CA Identification application and more. For more info contact Jesse at koshlaychukj@santacruzpl.org or Kris at kris.younggren@encompasscs.org

Tuesday, August 27 (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Aptos

Learn from a master and practice with your peers! All skill levels are welcome to participate and knowledge of the basic rules is encouraged.

Ages 6-18 yrs. 
Chess instruction materials for kids

Advanced chess instruction materials

Tuesday, August 27 (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley

Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive, non-judgmental reading partners for children reading aloud. Children have individual 20-minute appointments to sit with a dog and read.

Registration required. To register, e-mail tales2tails@santacruzpl.org or call 831-427-7717.

Tuesday, August 27 (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Location: Aptos

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invite you to an evening of cinema. Come enjoy these "hidden gems." Foreign films, documentaries, independents and even some mainstream movies you might have missed! If you wish, bring a snack to share, and participate in the discussion!

For information please visit Hidden Gems Film Club Website!

Tuesday, August 27 (6:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
Location: Garfield Park

Unhurried Conversations hosted by the Unhurried Santa Cruz Meetup is coming to the Garfield Park Library!

You’re invited to join this conversation group designed to have a gentler pace, no interruptions and a more reflective nature.

In an Unhurried Conversation, there is time to think differently and connect with people in a refreshing way. Unhurried isn't always slow, but it has a pace where people find it easy to join in and not feel crowded out. And listening can be as satisfying as talking.

We'll use a simple format to create good, human interaction without interruptions. Please bring a topic for conversation if you wish.

• Adults ages 18 & up
• Free!

Space is limited. Registration is required.  Register here or call 831-427-7717

There are only eight seats available for each Unhurried Conversation.  If you register and are not able to attend, please cancel your registration online or call the number above.  We want to make sure folks on the the Waitlist can have your place.  Thank you!

Meet New People. Share Your Stories. Learn & Laugh.

Learn more at: https://www.meetup.com/Unhurried-Santa-Cruz/

Send your questions about Unhurried Conversations to unhurriedsantacruz@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 28 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Aptos

Trying to play with technology and getting frustrated? A tech savvy librarian will provide instruction in the use of a wide range of technology services: How to use free downloadable content available from your library in a number of formats (eBooks, eAudiobooks, and streaming video) Introduction to SCPL databases (i.e. Consumer Reports, Community Information, etc…) Creating an email account Downloading and attaching files Word processing direction and support Drop-in weekly appointments, 20 minute slots available. To best support learning, please bring the following items: devices (i.e., laptops, tablets, and/or smartphones), necessary passwords (Google Play, App Store), and library card! First-come, First-served. FREE! 

Wednesday, August 28 (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM)
Location: Downtown

The Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries receive so many books that we are giving away the books we aren't able to sell and make room for new books. Some gems, some books only eclectic lovers of discards would like. These are also great books for Free Little Libraries! Come one come all — you’ll find some treasures!! * This event is weather permitting! *

Location: Downtown Santa Cruz Public Library (outside, to the right of the Main Library entrance)