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 limited. Lost and damage fees still apply.
We are now filling requests for items placed on hold
See our Grab & Go page for the latest details on where and when this service is available.
Monday, March 1 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
An Encompass Outreach worker will be available on a drop-in basis, 2:00 -4:00 PM, at the corner of Center and Church Streets outside of the Downtown Library for anyone with questions regarding connecting to social services, county mental health, addiction recovery options, housing applications, the Homeward Bound bus ticket program, obtaining a PO Box, clearing camping tickets, obtaining a fee-free DMV CA Identification application and more. For more info contact SCPL staff Jesse at silvaj@santacruzpl.org or Encompass staff Kris at kris.younggren@encompasscs.org or Meredith at meredith.flores@encompasscs.org.
Monday, March 1 (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online
Acompáñanos para una hora de cuentos, actividades y canciones en español. Este programa es para niños de 0-8 y sus familias. La hora será lunes - 5:30PM. Será una reunión virtual en vivo de Zoom.
Es necesario registrarse para este evento. Los registrantes recibirán un correo electrónico 24 horas y 1 hora antes del programa con un enlace Zoom e instrucciones para iniciar sesión.
Join us for Spanish Storytime, Mondays @ 5:30. It's going to be a live Zoom meeting.
Registration is required for this event. Registrants will receive an email 24 hours and 1 hour prior to the program with a Zoom link and instructions for logging in.
Register Now!
Tuesday, March 2 (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online
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. You must register for this event in order to receive the Zoom link by email. Let's play and learn together!
Register Now!
Tuesday, March 2 (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
Room: Online
Sutro Library, the California State Library branch located in San Francisco, has one of the largest genealogy collections west of Salt Lake City. Sutro Library is not just a physical hub for the genealogy community, it is also a virtual hub. Come learn about the highlights of the genealogy collection, how to search online, and how to access on-site once the Library reopens.
Dvorah Lewis joined the California State Library in June of 2017 as the Genealogy & Local History Library at the Sutro Library. She earned her Master’s in Library & Information Science at UCLA. Her passion forarchives and genealogy was inspired by an interview with her great Aunt Essie, the then-eldest member of her family. She is excited to help researchers learn how to navigate the State Library’s extraordinary collections and resources. Dvorah feels that by preserving the past we can understand the present and bring positive change to the future.
Registration is required. Please click the blue "Begin Registration" button below to reserve your spot today!
Register Now!
Wednesday, March 3 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
Room: Online
The Capitola Book Discussion Group meets every 1st Wednesday of the month at 10:00am. Formerly held at Aptos Library due to the Capitola closure we have now moved to Zoom. Registration is required. All adults are welcome.
This month's title is The Sportswriter by Richard Ford.
Register Now!
Wednesday, March 3 (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online
This program will follow the curriculum from Khan Academy called “Intro to JS: Drawing & Animation”. It covers fundamental ideas of computer science, and helps students learn one of the most popular programming languages right now, JavaScript. The curriculum has 18 modules, each with a few videos, short readings, and hands-on activities. Notable modules include Drawing Basics, Variables, Functions, Looping, and Objects. Students are free to work at their own pace; for students who finish quickly, an advanced Khan Academy course is available. No prior programming experience is required.
About the instructor: Saashin is a local high school student. He's always been passionate about computer programming and technology. His first experience with coding was in 4th Grade, when he completed the introductory Khan Academy course on JavaScript. Since then, he's completed online courses in Python, HTML/CSS and JavaScript from University of Michigan, UC Davis and Hong Kong Institute of Technology. He's volunteered with CodeCombat and is currently at doing a internship with a local company.
This class is open to students 8-18 years old.
For more information please contact Julie Soto at sotoj@santacruzpl.org
Register Now!
Wednesday, March 3 (4:00 PM - 5:15 PM)
Room: Online
Our first Teen Expo was such a hit, we're back with the next installment. The Santa Cruz Public Libraries and Your Future Is Our Business presents Teen Expo II: Homegrown Careers, a show-and-tell virtual event showcasing successful Santa Cruz County creators, makers, entrepreneurs, and leaders that will inspire and empower teens to embrace the possibilities of turning their interests and talents into careers.
● Martine Watkins, Expo Moderator, City of Santa Cruz Councilmember
● Cindi Busenhart, Founder & CEO, Merge4
● Scotty Greathouse, Artist, Ideas for Walls
● Gabriel Medina, Senior Manager - Program Planning and Logistics, DigitalNest
● Maura O’Connell, Owner & Electrician, Lucky Electric
Please scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on the blue 'Begin Registration' button
More about our Panelists:
Gabriel Medina, DigitalNEST & Calavera MediaGabriel was born and raised in Watsonville, CA and attended UCLA to study Filmmaking and Chicana/o studies. While at UCLA, Gabriel interned for Pantelion where he helped market films such as From Prada to Nada, Cinco De Mayo, and Casa de Mi Padre. After graduating, Gabriel returned to the area where he worked for KSBW as a Production Assistant for the morning segment and as an independent film producer.
Gabriel is now working at the DigitalNEST as the Digital Arts + Technology Manager where he helps to support the growth of youth interested in filmmaking, graphic design, and podcasting. In addition, Gabriel is still making films with his production company, Calvera Media. Click here to see a collection of work. (he/him)
Cindi Busenhart, Merge4
Cindi Busenhart is Founder and CEO of MERGE4 - a sock company. MERGE4 is a certified B Corporation which balances purpose and profit while using business as a force for good.
Cindi is a San Jose / Silicon Valley Business Journal Women of Influence Honoree. Her past company was awarded the San Jose / Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Philanthropy Impact award and was featured on the cover of the magazine. She has been an International Business CEO Forum Panelist with a focus on Asia business for the San Jose / Silicon Valley Business Journal
Cindi was former owner and President of Sessions and ESTE. These brands had quality, innovative products with a primary focus in the snowboard, ski and skateboard industry. She is a past Board Vice Chair of Snowsports Industries of America – a $7.4B industry when she left.
Community involvement includes Founder and Chair of the Tim Brauch Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports skateboard park development and athletic scholarships. She is a former Director of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, former Committee member of Tannery Arts Center and former Board Member of the Red Cross Santa Cruz Chapter.
Cindy grew up here in Santa Cruz in both the Pleasure Point area and then Santa Cruz Gardens. She went to Green Acres, Live Oak, Santa Cruz Gardens, Capitola (Now New Brighton), Soquel High, Cabrillo College and took some extension classes at UCSC.
Scotty Greathouse, IdeasForWalls
IG: @scottygreathouseart
Scotty Greathouse is a full-time artist. He was born at Dominican Hospital in 1974 and graduated from Harbor High school in 1992. Skateboard graphics and airbrush designs on surfboards are what hooked him on art. Scotty’s art has found itself on skateboards, surfboards, canvases, large scale walls and merge4 socks.
To see an impressive collection of Scotty’s work, including murals for corporate clients and local non-profits, as well as fine art, click here.
Maura O'Connell, Lucky Electrichttps://www.facebook.com/LuckyElectric
Maura O’Connell moved to Santa Cruz in 1996 after graduating from Hoftra University in Hempstead, where she earned a degree in Fine Art while on a basketball scholarship. Maura’s journey as an electrician began when she was given an opportunity to become an electrical apprentice with no experience in 1997.
She began learning the trade with wiring new homes in Santa Cruz County, from there her skills grew to re-wiring homes, troubleshooting electrical issues, lighting design to project management. Starting Lucky Electric was a natural progression to form a company where she gets to lead by example and bring pride in workmanship to every project. Maura started Lucky Electric in 2006 with just herself as the only electrician today she has the privilege of employing eight workers.
“I grew up with a basketball in my hand since I was big enough to hold one. For me running Lucky Electric is the same as being a point guard on a basketball team. It is my job to attach every project like we are heading towards the final four. Every project is an opportunity for us to show the world what we are made of, to gain customers for life and to continue to offer quality electrical work no matter how big or small the project”
Martine Watkins, Santa Cruz City CouncilMartine Watkins grew up in Santa Cruz and is the daughter of two dedicated educators, Michael, the former Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools, and the first African American elected to that position in the State of California, and Anne Watkins, a former Santa Cruz and Harbor High School history teacher. Martine and her husband Brandon, also a teacher, are raising their daughters here.
Martine received her Bachelor's Degree in Legal Studies from UCSC, and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute of Public Policy at CSU Monterey Bay. She has spent her career serving the public in education and on the Santa Cruz City Council.
Martine has served on numerous Council committees including: the Santa Cruz Housing Blueprint Recommendations, the 2x2 Homelessness City/County Coordination Committee, the City/City Schools Committee, the Community Programs Committee, and the Health in All Policies Committee.
Martine is a strong advocate for climate adaptation and represented the City of Santa Cruz at the United States Conference of Mayors in 2019, where she and the Honorable Tom Butt, Mayor of Richmond, co-sponsored a resolution for formal adoption that supports cities’ rights and efforts to mitigate damage from climate change and protect taxpayers from related costs.
Register Now!
Wednesday, March 3 (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online
Writers' Open Mic Night offers you an environment to read your works aloud every first Wednesday of the month. Poets, novelists, short story writers, scriptwriters, essayists, writers of memoir, nonfiction, and children’s storybooks--plus friends, fans, and readers who want to hear something new--are all welcome! This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library.
This program requires registration for Zoom access link.
Register Now!
Wednesday, March 3 (7:00 PM - 7:45 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Join us on Facebook or Youtube for Bedtime Stories presented by SCPL Librarian Jackie. On alternating weeks, Jackie will read bedtime stories, sing songs, and chant rhymes for families. New programs will be available every other Wednesday at 7:00 pm and on the library's YouTube Channel after that.
Watch the Premiere!For more fun, please visit our Storytimes for Children playlist.
Thursday, March 4 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Wings Homeless Advocates offers open office hours at the corner of Center and Locusts streets, outside of the Downtown Library on Thursdays, 10:30am - 12:00pm. Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness.
Appointments are required and can be made by contacting Wings at id@wingsadvocacy.org or leaving a voicemail at 831-291-5096 No other services will be available at this time Physical distancing and masks (or face coverings) will be required to participateWalk up appointments are accepted as time allows
Thursday, March 4 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
An Encompass Outreach worker will be available on a drop-in basis, 2:00 -4:00 PM, at the corner of Center and Church Streets outside of the Downtown Library for anyone with questions regarding connecting to social services, county mental health, addiction recovery options, housing applications, the Homeward Bound bus ticket program, obtaining a PO Box, clearing camping tickets, obtaining a fee-free DMV CA Identification application and more. For more info contact SCPL staff Jesse at silvaj@santacruzpl.org or Encompass staff Kris at kris.younggren@encompasscs.org or Meredith at meredith.flores@encompasscs.org.
Thursday, March 4 (5:00 PM - 7:30 PM)
Room: Online
Libraries Facilities Financing Authority (LFFA) and Library Joint Powers Authority (LJPA) Board meetings
Panelists are: Martin Bernal, Chair; Tina Friend, Vice Chair; Carlos Palacios, Director; Jamie Goldstein, Director. Library Staff: Susan Nemitz, Director; and Eric Howard, Assistant Director; Helga Smith - Board Clerk
When: Mar 4, 2021 05:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: LFFA & LJPA Board Meetings
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/97916760188
Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16699006833,,97916760188# or +12532158782,,97916760188#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592 or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) or 833 548 0282 (Toll Free) or 877 853 5247 (Toll Free) or 888 788 0099 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 979 1676 0188
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/abpnuVH0v0
Thursday, March 4 (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
Room: Online
Dr. Ronald P. Hattis, MD, MPH, Associate Clinical Professor of Preventive Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Past President and current Secretary of the Beyond AIDS Foundation. In this interactive talk with Dr. Kieran Phelan, Dr. Hattis will share his long history in the fight against HIV/AIDS beginning in the early ‘80s. He will tie that struggle with what he calls a “slow moving pandemic” to our current fight with a much faster moving pandemic, COVID-19.
This event is part of Our Community Reads 2021, which is an annual event of the Friends of the Aptos Branch Library, in partnership with Friends Chapters from Capitola, La Selva Beach, and for the first time, Felton, bringing people together to read a book, chosen by community members, and offers a series of related events to the public. The events aim to create a shared experience that will increase appreciation for our community libraries and for our local bookstores; foster pride in the varied experiences that our area offers; and the enrichment –– culturally, intellectually, and emotionally –– that comes from the joy of reading! All events are hosted online by the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and are free and open to the public. Registration is required using the blue 'Begin Registration' button found in the section below. Please visit Our Community Reads website page for more information. Register Now!
Friday, March 5 (10:00 AM - 10:30 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online
Join us online for an Interactive Preschool Storytime using Zoom. We'll read books and sing songs in a safe environment. Designed for 3-5 year olds. Tales to Tails follows directly after.
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, March 5 (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online
Tales to Tails brings a fun, neutral, and accessible way for children of all ages to build literacy and confidence. Bring some books, a stuffed animal or your own pet, and come read with us! Children can read to a therapy dog, bunny, or robot 1:1 in a Zoom breakout room with a certified therapy dog and their handler or they can read to the whole group of kids. Some kids show us a toy, some sing a song, some read a book. They have so much fun.
This event will piggyback on Interactive Preschool Storytime which starts at 10am so if you come for Storytime, stay for Tales to Tails!
Register Now!
Friday, March 5 (12:00 PM - 12:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Cuentos y Experimentos es parte de los programas en español ofrecidos por las bibliotecas públicas de Santa Cruz. En este espacio hacemos experimentos y leemos cuentos con niñas y niños hispanohablantes entre los 0 y 8 años y sus familias.
Monday, March 8 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
An Encompass Outreach worker will be available on a drop-in basis, 2:00 -4:00 PM, at the corner of Center and Church Streets outside of the Downtown Library for anyone with questions regarding connecting to social services, county mental health, addiction recovery options, housing applications, the Homeward Bound bus ticket program, obtaining a PO Box, clearing camping tickets, obtaining a fee-free DMV CA Identification application and more. For more info contact SCPL staff Jesse at silvaj@santacruzpl.org or Encompass staff Kris at kris.younggren@encompasscs.org or Meredith at meredith.flores@encompasscs.org.
Monday, March 8 (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online
Acompáñanos para una hora de cuentos, actividades y canciones en español. Este programa es para niños de 0-8 y sus familias. La hora será lunes - 5:30PM. Será una reunión virtual en vivo de Zoom.
Es necesario registrarse para este evento. Los registrantes recibirán un correo electrónico 24 horas y 1 hora antes del programa con un enlace Zoom e instrucciones para iniciar sesión.
Join us for Spanish Storytime, Mondays @ 5:30. It's going to be a live Zoom meeting.
Registration is required for this event. Registrants will receive an email 24 hours and 1 hour prior to the program with a Zoom link and instructions for logging in.
Register Now!
Tuesday, March 9 (5:30 PM - 7:30 PM)
Room: Online
This conversation for change will examine equity and social justice in the education system. Historically, higher education was created in an elitist and noninclusive fashion; aiming to serve some and overlook others. Educational institutions across the country are responding to the call to reimagine and recreate the educational experience through a lens of equity and social justice. This transformation spans from course content and educational pathways to institutional names and monuments. In our conversation we will hear from Dr. Kofi Akinjide, the Cabrillo College Director of Student Equity and Success, to learn more about the changes happening at our local community college. Together, let’s (re)consider alternative ways to approach the learning process and valuing lived experiences.
Conversations for Change 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.
Conversations for Change has moved online due the cancellation of library events caused by COVID-19. This conversation will be taking place on the online Zoom meeting platform.
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!
Wednesday, March 10 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Room: Online
Our great career development tool, Brainfuse JobNow is excited to present a Resume Workshop hosted by Ashley Watkins, a Nationally Certified Résumé Writer (NCRW) and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE). This is a free workshop to help community members improve their resumes.
The workshop will cover 3 key areas to help you reboot your resume:
How to create a keyword-rich résumé that hiring managers find so irresistible, they’d be crazy not to make the call What design elements draw the reader's attention to your skills, competencies, and results Strategies for showcasing your value so you land more interviews and higher-paying positions
The Resume Reboot Workshop will take place on Wednesday, March 10 at 2 PM PST. Attendees must register. Space is limited.
Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3707449168442122254
Ashley Watkins is a Job Search Coach, Nationally Certified Résumé Writer (NCRW), and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) with Write Step Résumés in the Birmingham, AL area. She is a former corporate recruiter of 15 years and handled talent acquisition for multimillion-dollar banking, manufacturing, and nonprofit organizations. Today, she partners with frustrated job seekers to teach them leading-edge job search strategies for landing more interviews and six-figure job offers at Fortune 500 brands. Ashley has earned several industry accolades, including 2019 LinkedIn Top Voice (Careers and Job Search Experts), 2019 Top 8 Resume Writing Services - The Balance Careers, and Jobscan's 2019 Top Job Search Experts to Follow on LinkedIn. She also served as a board member of the National Resume Writers' Association for 2 years.
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 limited. Lost and damage fees still apply.
We are now filling requests for items placed on hold
See our Grab & Go page for the latest details on where and when this service is available.
