Essential Services & Community Resources
SCPL is currently not charging late fees for any items
We recognize the hardship that this crisis is having on many in our community and want library fines to be one less worry right now. Additionally, our ability to accept your library materials is also limited. Lost and damage fees still apply.
We are now filling requests for items placed on hold
See our Curbside Pickup and Returns page for the latest details on where and when this service is available.
Friday, July 10 (10:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Storytime is temporarily moving online due the cancellation of library events caused by COVID-19.
Join us online for a Preschool Storytime. We'll read books and sing songs. For 3-6 year olds.
This storytime will be taking place on the online Zoom meeting platform. Registrants will receive Zoom meeting instructions via email prior to the event. Registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.
Register Now!
Friday, July 10 (10:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Series of STEAM programs through the summer for kids of all ages, presented via Facebook and our YouTube channel. Look for new videos on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm and Fridays at 10:00 am through July.
This week: Stomp Rockets
Recommended ages 5-10. Adults will need to assist younger children with some parts of this project.
Watch the video here at 10 am on Friday: https://youtu.be/XdGJKaNuJwk
Friday, July 10 (12:30 PM - 3:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Join SCPL for a weekly Dungeons & Dragons campaign where you can explore cool worlds, create interesting characters, stretch your imagination, and practice your storytelling skills. Whether you've been playing for a while or are new to the game, there's a place for everyone here.
This program is for teens age 13-17 and requires registration for access link. We'll be using Zoom as our platform. Registrants should try to make it to every session.
Register Now!
Saturday, July 11 (10:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Scotts Valley Library yoga instructor Makiko Niwa has made some of her breathing, meditation, and yin stretches available for Santa Cruz Public Libraries during the shelter-in-place order. Enjoy them from the comfort of your own home here: https://makikoyoga.wixsite.com/california/homepractice
Saturday, July 11 (10:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
We’ll do songs, fingerplays and fun with friends! Bring a shaker if you have one so you can play along. Come join us on Saturday mornings on the library's YouTube and Facebook sites. Let's sing and play together!
Parents, if you'd like me to mention your child's FIRST name, please send it to gunnk@santacruzpl.org and I'll try to use it in a session.
See you soon!
Librarian Kari
Here is the link to the watch page: https://youtu.be/H8falF66G5I
Monday, July 13 (10:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
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. You must register for this event in order to receive the Zoom link by email. Let's play and learn together!
Register Now!
Monday, July 13 (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Germar (aka Gerardo Martinez) is a Vallejo, California, USA based magician who strives to entertain and educate his audience through his magic and illusions. Germar is also an award winning magician, author and writer. He travels internationally to host his shows and illusions. Even his birds and bunnies that he uses in his shows have current US passports and shots! Germar’s humor will make you laugh while his magic will make you wonder!
Today's program, The Magic of Germar, is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the La Selva Beach Library.
*This Program is Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Germar (Gerardo Martinez) es un mago basado en Vallejo, California que se esfuerza por entretener y educar a su audiencia a través de su magia e ilusiones. Germar tambien es un galardonado mago, autor y escritor. El ha viajado internacionalmente para sus espectáculos e ilusiones. ¡Incluso sus pájaros y conejos que usa en los espectáculos tienen pasaportes actuales de EE.UU! ¡El humor de Germar le hará reír y su magia es una maravilla!
Este programa es posible gracias a la gernerosidad de el grupo Friends of the La Selva Beach Library.
*La presentación será bilingüe en inglés e español.
It's not too late to sign up for our Summer Reading Program! Kids & teens up to age 18 earn an Atlantis Fantasyworld gift certificate good for one item from a special selection of books just for signing up! Keep reading and completing activities to get a chance to win other prizes. The whole family can join in the fun!
¡No es muy tarde para registrarse para nuestro Programa de Lectura de Verano! Al registrarse, los niños y adolescentes de 0 a 18 años recibirán un certificado de regalo de Atlantis Fantasyworld de $10 para escoger un libro de cómics o una novela ilustrada (graphic novel) de una colección especial. Siga leyendo y completando actividadas para ganar boletos de rifa para la oportunidad de ganar premios. ¡Toda la familia puede unirse a la diversion!
Register Now!
Monday, July 13 (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Germar (aka Gerardo Martinez) is a Vallejo, California, USA based magician who strives to entertain and educate his audience through his magic and illusions. Germar is also an award winning magician, author and writer. He travels internationally to host his shows and illusions. Even his birds and bunnies that he uses in his shows have current US passports and shots! Germar’s humor will make you laugh while his magic will make you wonder!
Today's program, The Magic of Germar, is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the La Selva Beach Library.
*This Program is Bilingual in English and Spanish
Germar (Gerardo Martinez) es un mago basado en Vallejo, California que se esfuerza por entretener y educar a su audiencia a través de su magia e ilusiones. Germar tambien es un galardonado mago, autor y escritor. El ha viajado internacionalmente para sus espectáculos e ilusiones. ¡Incluso sus pájaros y conejos que usa en los espectáculos tienen pasaportes actuales de EE.UU! ¡El humor de Germar le hará reír y su magia es una maravilla!
Este programa es posible gracias a la gernerosidad de el grupo Friends of the La Selva Beach Library.
*La presentación será bilingüe en inglés e español.
It's not too late to sign up for our Summer Reading Program! Kids & teens up to age 18 earn an Atlantis Fantasyworld gift certificate good for one item from a special selection of books just for signing up! Keep reading and completing activities to get a chance to win other prizes. The whole family can join in the fun!
¡No es muy tarde para registrarse para nuestro Programa de Lectura de Verano! Al registrarse, los niños y adolescentes de 0 a 18 años recibirán un certificado de regalo de Atlantis Fantasyworld de $10 para escoger un libro de cómics o una novela ilustrada (graphic novel) de una colección especial. Siga leyendo y completando actividadas para ganar boletos de rifa para la oportunidad de ganar premios. ¡Toda la familia puede unirse a la diversion!
Register Now!
Monday, July 13 (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
¡Cuéntame un Cuento presenta un programa especial en conjunto con el Programa de Lectura de Verano: La Magia de Germar!
Germar (Gerardo Martinez) es un mago basado en Vallejo, California que se esfuerza por entretener y educar a su audiencia a través de su magia e ilusiones. Germar tambien es un galardonado mago, autor y escritor. El ha viajado internacionalmente para sus espectáculos e ilusiones. ¡Incluso sus pájaros y conejos que usa en los espectáculos tienen pasaportes actuales de EE.UU! ¡El humor de Germar le hará reír y su magia es una maravilla!
*La presentación será en español.
This week's Cuéntame un Cuento features a special presentation for our Summer Reading Program: The Magic of Germar!
Germar (aka Gerardo Martinez) is a Vallejo, California, USA based magician who strives to entertain and educate his audience through his magic and illusions. Germar is also an award winning magician, author and writer. He travels internationally to host his shows and illusions. Even his birds and bunnies that he uses in his shows have current US passports and shots! Germar’s humor will make you laugh while his magic will make you wonder!
*This program will be in Spanish.
It's not too late to sign up for our Summer Reading Program! Kids & teens up to age 18 earn an Atlantis Fantasyworld gift certificate good for one item from a special selection of books just for signing up! Keep reading and completing activities to get a chance to win other prizes. The whole family can join in the fun!
¡No es muy tarde para registrarse para nuestro Programa de Lectura de Verano! Al registrarse, los niños y adolescentes de 0 a 18 años recibirán un certificado de regalo de Atlantis Fantasyworld de $10 para escoger un libro de cómics o una novela ilustrada (graphic novel) de una colección especial. Siga leyendo y completando actividadas para ganar boletos de rifa para la oportunidad de ganar premios. ¡Toda la familia puede unirse a la diversion!
Register Now!
Tuesday, July 14 (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Come with paper and pencil and try your hand at speed sketching - all are artistic experience is welcome.
Prior to beginning the program, please select an object in your home and place it in view of your computer camera and let’s have fun together and see who can draw the silliest, stylish, true to life, or abstract interpretation of it.
Every Tuesday afternoon at 2, take a break out of your day for some fun!
Register Now!
Tuesday, July 14 (3:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
A friendly introduction to Dungeons & Dragons for first-timers, led by an experienced player. Held every 2nd & 4th Monday.
Your quest begins at the Aptos Branch! Form a party, hunt for ancient treasures, and use your wits, magic, or brute force to battle kobolds, dragons, and more. Dungeons & Dragons is a game of adventure, imagination and near-limitless possibilities. If you've been curious but unsure how to start, it's time to roll the dice and join this campaign for beginners. An experienced D&Der will guide you, and all the necessary materials & manuals will be provided.
Registration is full.
Tuesday, July 14 (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Series of STEAM programs through the summer for kids of all ages, presented via Facebook and our YouTube channel. Look for new videos on Tuesdays at 3:30 pm and Fridays at 10:00 am through July.
Tuesday, July 14 (5:15 PM - 7:00 PM)
In this time of the pandemic and social instability people have taken to the streets to protest police violence. Protesters across the country are confronting the systems and practices they charge are racist and discriminatory. “Defund the Police” is one of the tenets of this movement, but what does defunding mean? Join us for a respectful and timely conversation about the idea of rethinking policing.
Conversations for Change is temporarily moving online due the cancellation of library events caused by COVID-19. This conversation will be taking place on the online Zoom meeting platform. Registrants will receive Zoom meeting instructions via email prior to the event.
The conversations are designed to foster greater understanding among individuals who may have different viewpoints. Participants in these small group conversations, guided by a trained host, practice being open and curious about all perspectives, with a focus on learning from one another.
Space is limited. Registration is required. Instructions for joining the online discussion will be emailed prior to the event.
Prior to registering, please review the Conversation Agreements.
Project Connect is a group of actively engaged citizens who care about bridging divides in our community as a means of preserving our democratic republic and the flourishing of our country. It is a Finding Common Ground team associated with Santa Cruz Indivisible.
Register Now!
Tuesday, July 14 (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)
*Participantes podrán escuchar en español o ingles por medio de interpretación en vivo.* Para utilizar la interpretación en vivo, regístrese y entre la llamada de Zoom como lo haría normalmente (es preferible en computadora). Para empezar la interpretación por Zoom, revise las instrucciones en esta página: https://www.iitc.org/zoom-instructions-for-attendees/
Hay mucha información alrededor del mundo sobre el COVID-19, pero ¿qué pasa en nuestra área específica? Esta conversación comunitaria por Zoom tendrá la información más corriente acerca del virus en el Condado de Santa Cruz y cómo mantenernos seguros mientras muchos lugares abren de nuevo y los casos de COVID-19 suben.
El Departamento de Salud Público del Condado de Santa Cruz nos informará sobre cómo nos está afectando la pandemia, y Salud Para La Gente nos informará de cómo podemos disfrutar de la vida social mientras mantenernos seguros del COVID; dónde probar si tenemos el virus o no; y dónde conseguir atención medica cuando uno tiene síntomas del COVID-19.
Habrá tiempo para preguntas y tiempo para discutir como podemos seguir los consejos de seguridad aun cuando nuestras circunstancias personales no fácilmente permiten eso.
El Colectivo de Inmigrantes Prósperos (TIC) es una alianza de organizaciones en el Condado de Santa Cruz que provee servicios directos a la comunidad inmigrante y que aboga para una comunidad que sinceramente da la bienvenida a todos los inmigrantes y les apoya prosperar. Para más información, visite su sitio de web: https://www.thrivingimmigrantscollaborative.org/
Regístrese aquí: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrdOCgqjgpG9aBaOXZJFadKJ_LM92WW3eX
Tuesday, July 14 (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM)
Here in Santa Cruz County we are seeing disproportionately high rates of COVID+ cases in South County and among the Latinx community. As interconnected beings our community’s health is dependent on the health of all. Help us flatten the curve and spread the most up-to-date COVID safety information to as many people in our community as possible via TIC’s next Community Conversation on Health in the times of COVID next Tuesday, July 14th from 6pm – 7:30pm on Zoom – available in Spanish and English. There will be time for attendees to ask questions & discuss healthy ways to take care of ourselves during these challenging times. Registration is required! Register here.
Health Officer of Santa Cruz County, Dr. Gail Newel, will present on the latest county COVID data & demographics, updates from the state, SCC’s public health response, key community messages, and resources for people who test COVID+. Salud Para La Gente medical provider, Dr. Flavio Cornejo DO, will present on individual and collective COVID prevention, where to get free testing, and where to access medical care if you don’t have health insurance.
For more information, visit our website here: https://www.thrivingimmigrantscollaborative.org/
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrdOCgqjgpG9aBaOXZJFadKJ_LM92WW3eX
Wednesday, July 15 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Tales to Tails goes virtual to create a comfortable, neutral, and fun reading experience. Bring some books, a stuffed animal or your own pet, and come read with us! This is a YouTube livestream event so you might be reading to up to six animals at once. Woo hoo!
Caregivers - You can post your child’s first name (and city if you want) in the comments section, along with the books they are reading, and we’ll read off as many of those names as we can, live, during the break we need to give the animals.
Each week you register we’ll send you your doggie bone. These will be dated dog bones your child can color and email to us. The following week, we’ll display them live on the feed.
This will also be recorded so if you can’t make it live, the dogs will still be there for you.
Find us every week at https://www.youtube.com/user/SantaCruzPL (you may need to click on videos >> live)
Register Now!
Wednesday, July 15 (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Join our 8 week summer Lego Building Challenge. You will only need common Lego pieces to complete these challenges. To join the fun, register each week via our online calendar, June 10 through July 29 . On Wednesday, you will receive an email with the weekly challenge. If you would like to share your creation, post a photo on our SCPL Lego Build Challenge Facebook Group. Bonus building challenges will be posted there for intermediate level Lego fans.
Register Now!
Wednesday, July 15 (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Offsite
People & Stories is dedicated to opening doors to literature for new audiences. Through oral readings and rigorous discussions of enduring short stories, we invite participants to find fresh understandings of themselves, of others, and of the world. Please note that some stories contain themes and language of an adult nature. Santa Cruz Public Libraries offers People & Stories regularly in our county jails. We invite you to our special 7 week session on Zoom! Drop in for one or attend all 7 People & Stories sessions!
Register Now!
Wednesday, July 15 (7:00 PM - 7:45 PM)
Join us on Facebook for Bedtime Stories presented by SCPL Librarians Jackie and Jeanne. On alternating weeks, Jackie will read a story and Jeanne will tell a story and also help families to tell their own stories. New programs will be available every Wednesday at 7:30 pm and on the library's YouTube Channel after that.
Tonight's stories are all about Dragons.
For more fun, please visit our Storytimes for Children playlist.
Essential Services & Community Resources
SCPL is currently not charging late fees for any items
We recognize the hardship that this crisis is having on many in our community and want library fines to be one less worry right now. Additionally, our ability to accept your library materials is also limited. Lost and damage fees still apply.
We are now filling requests for items placed on hold
See our Curbside Pickup and Returns page for the latest details on where and when this service is available.
