Saturday, May 18 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Boulder Creek
Room: Boulder Creek Community Room

 Come join amazing teachers from the community to learn a new craft or art process, and have a space dedicated to work on projects with others every week. We plan to learn a new craft or art process once a month with the weeks in between being open "studio" time. Come be part of this new community at the Boulder Creek  library! Materials will be provided for craft being taught, or bring what you want to work on! 

Saturday, May 18 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Brad Mcdonald Conference Room

Please join us at the Capitola Branch Library on Saturdays, 10am-12pm for a chance to practice your English language skills with new friends and a group leader from the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Literacy Program.

For more information about the Literacy Program visit https://scvolunteercenter.org/programs/literacy-program/ or call  831-427-5077.

Saturday, May 18 (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room
We are pleased to announce that we will celebrate in-person meetings by studying Hamlet, the greatest of Shakespeare's plays, with a stellar list of speakers:  April 27. Paul Whitworth, distinguished Shakespearean actor and director.  His professional acting career began at the
Royal Shakespeare Company (1976-1982). In 1984, he joined Shakespeare Santa Cruz where he played many major roles including Hamlet, Benedict in Much Ado About Nothing, Iago, Richard III and last year, at Santa Cruz Shakespeare, King Lear. He was Artistic Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz from 1996 to 2007. We are delighted that he will be talking to us for the first time. May 4.  Charles Pasternak. Charles is the current Artistic Director of Santa Cruz Shakespeare. He will tell us about the ambitious program he has arranged for this summer, which includes Hamlet. Additionally, since he will also play the title role in Hamlet, we expect he will give us some thoughts on the play and the Hamlet's character. May 11. Sean Keilen, Professor of Literature, University of California, Santa Cruz. Sean is a regular speaker to our group, and always presents original and stimulating ideas. He is also the founding Director of Shakespeare Workshop, a research center of The Humanities Institute.  May 18, Michael Warren. Michael is Emeritus Professor of Literature at UCSC, and has been dramaturg for many productions of Santa Cruz Shakespeare and its predecessor, Shakespeare Santa Cruz. We are very grateful to him for sharing his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, each of the plays that we study. May 25, DVD showing. There are many productions to choose from. A decision will be made later on which one to show.      For those who will be attending by Zoom, here is the Zoom information. The link is https://ucsc.zoom.us/j/96451297678?pwd=aFVkVEZuUVZ3aFY1WFQzMWtvdm94UT09
For those who need the meeting ID and passcode separately, these are:
Meeting ID: 964 5129 7678
Passcode: 097082

Saturday, May 18 (10:30 AM - 3:00 PM)

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.

For more information, call the Watsonville Office at 1-831-724-2606. Or visit the Project Scout Website: http://www.seniorscouncil.org/scout.html.

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 . También puede visitar el sitio web (solo en inglés): http://www.seniorscouncil.org/project_scout.html.

Saturday, May 18 (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Branciforte
Room: Branciforte Branch Library, 230 Gault St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Bilingual stories and songs, in Spanish and English, for young children and their families.

Cuentos y canciones bilingües, en español e inglés, para niños pequeños y sus familias.

Saturday, May 18 (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Branciforte
Room: Community Room

Branciforte's Conversation Club is a welcoming place for language learners of English to practice their conversation skills in English with a group leader.

Saturday, May 18 (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Barbara Gorson Multiuse Room

Adults need playtime, too! Come play some new or old favorite tabletop games. Bring your favorite board game or play some of Lancelot's games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. This program is for adults 18+. 

We will meet every first and third Saturday of the month in the Barbara Gorson Multipurpose Room at the Capitola Branch Library.

Saturday, May 18 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Garfield Park
Room: Garfield Park Branch Library, 705 Woodrow Ave, Santa Cruz, 95060

The Friends of the Garfield Park Branch Library will be holding their Inaugural Book Sale 

Saturday, May 18th, from 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 

Located at 705 Woodrow Avenue, Santa Cruz, Ca, in our outdoor programming area. 

Mysteries, Romance, Children's books, cookbooks, CDs/DVDs, cookies, and more!!

Donations to support Adult, Teen, and Children programs at the Garfield Park Branch Library.  

Saturday, May 18 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Offsite

Discover what this rapidly advancing technology has to offer for your own creative process. 

Join us for a FREE hands-on experience using generative artificial intelligence to make images, 3D models, and video. Drop in between noon and 4PM and volunteers will help guide you through the possibilities of turning prompts into physical creations. Cosponsored by Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Event Location: 

Idea Fab Labs Santa Cruz, 2801 Mission St. #204

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

2nd Floor in old Wrigley building (click this link for directions)

Saturday, May 18 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Offsite
Room: Offsite - see event description for location
Santa Cruz County History Fair

The annual Santa Cruz County History Fair will be hosted by the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park on Saturday May 18th from 12-5pm. We will be joined by organizations, individuals, and museums from around the county to bring local history to our community. Sponsored by State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, & the Capitola Historical Museum. 

Free Admission for All Ages

For questions or concerns email us santacruzmission@ports-ca.us or call (831) 425-5849

The library will have a table where we can promote our local history collection (we will have books of postcards) and be part of a passport scavenger hunt game involving learning and prizes. We will have a craft for kidsand information about Summer Reading. 

This is the 6th History Fair for our County! This year’s Santa Cruz County History Fair will be hosted by the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park on Saturday May 18th at 12pm. Admission in free for all ages.

We look forward to engaging a wide public audience in a diverse offering of inclusive local history stories and resources. With the aim to bring local history to our community, the event will feature tables hosted by local historians and history organizations. There will also be tours, lectures, a “Passport to the Past” scavenger hunt, and refreshments!

Sponsored by State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, the Capitola Historical Museum, & The Humanities Institute.

Saturday, May 18 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Join the circle and write a poem in a creative and supportive  environment. No experience necessary. Open to all ages and levels of poets.

Facilitated by poet-teacher Magdalena Montagne.

Pre-registration is no longer required.

Questions: Call Magdalena at 831-252-5776 or email her at magdamontagne@gmail.com.

The group meets on the back patio, but if the weather is inclement, we will meet in the Community Room.

Saturday, May 18 (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Fireside Community Room

"Let's talk About It" is modeled after similar initiatives in which participants (the public) can request to have a conversation for 30 minutes with someone who identifies in a particular way. Dialogue partners cover a wide range of identities and experiences. They could be people who deal with alcoholism, housing insecurity, and mental illness. They could be immigrants, refugees, transgender or non-binary, or formerly incarcerated. People of misunderstood and marginalized religious identities are also included, as well as police officers, activists, and people experiencing homelessness. In addition, we will have interactive art projects that explore questions about identity -- we hope you can join us for this thought-provoking event.

"Let's Talk About It" is presented by the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County. More information can be found at: crcsantacruz.org/lets-talk-about-it.html

Saturday, May 18 (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Study Room A
Here at the Scotts Valley library, we're hosting a parenting group for caregivers raising neurodivergent individuals with behavior challenges and delays from toddlers to teens. We will meet on the third Saturday of every month from 1:30-2:30pm.   We'll Explore:
Autism and Neurodiversity
Behavior Challenges
Feelings as Parents
Social Norms
Compassionate Self-Care   From Third Wave ABA: At Third Wave ABA, we’re deeply committed to helping those living with behavioral, social, and developmental challenges reach their highest potential. Our unique approach combines modern technology and compassionate care for a comprehensive wellness experience that gives families peace of mind in knowing they are truly being taken care of! We believe everyone deserves the chance to live an enriched life.    thirdwaveaba.com 

Saturday, May 18 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Teen Multipurpose Room

Advisory Council of Teens (ACT) is the SCPL young adult advisory group. ACT is open to all young adults in Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley. The main focus of the ACT is young adult services, including programs, events, spaces, and policies. This is a good opportunity for students to fulfill community service credits, obtain job skills, develop leadership abilities, and acquire college extracurricular experience. Also, ACT is a great outlet to meet great friends and most importantly, have fun with other like minded individuals.

Questions?  Contact Librarian Jackie Danziger (danzigerj@santacruzpl.org)

Saturday, May 18 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Downtown Community Room

Professional chess instruction with Chess Master Gjon Feinstein.  All levels welcome. For ages 6 - 18. If you have never played chess before, please contact Gjon before your first session: coach@santacruzchess.com     831-425-7835

Saturday, May 18 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Branciforte

Are you stuck with a technology question?

Our tech savvy staff at the Branciforte Library would like to help you troubleshoot your issue with a 30 minute (or less) appointment. Fixing broken hardware or software is not within our scope. 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. 

Make an appointment: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/branciforte

Advance appointments are prioritized. Visit the library's information desk or call telephone information (831-427-7713) for help making an appointment. Arriving later than 5 minutes after scheduled time may result in appointment cancellation. Walk-ins are welcome, when openings are available.

Visit the library's Digital Learning webpage for more opportunites: https://www.santacruzpl.org/digitallearning

We look forward to helping you!

Sunday, May 19 (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Ow Family Community Room

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, you are invited to join local historians Sandy Lydon and George Ow for an in-depth group discussion of Lydon's book Chinese Gold: The Chinese in the Monterey Bay Region. During the month of May, we will read the book then gather for light refreshments and a lively discussion about the significant contributions our Chinese Community has made to Santa Cruz County, the challenges they faced and overcame, and current efforts to preserve this rich history and make it available for generations to come.

The Library has 20 copies of the book that can be provided in advance of the program to those who register. A PDF version of the book is also available to registrants. To receive the PDF version of the book, email cowend@santacruzpl.org after registering.

Sunday, May 19 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Downtown

Are you stuck with a technology question?

Our tech savvy staff at the Downtown Library would like to help you troubleshoot your issue with a 30 minute (or less) appointment. Fixing broken hardware or software is not within our scope. 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. 

Make an appointment: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/downtown

Advance appointments are prioritized. Visit the library's information desk or call telephone information (831-427-7713) for help making an appointment. Arriving later than 5 minutes after scheduled time may result in appointment cancellation. Walk-ins are welcome, when openings are available.

Visit the library's Digital Learning webpage for more opportunites: https://www.santacruzpl.org/digitallearning

We look forward to helping you!

Sunday, May 19 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Downtown Community Room

Advisory Council of Teens (ACT) is the SCPL young adult advisory group. ACT is open to all Santa Cruz County young adults, ages 12-18. The main focus of the ACT is young adult services, including programs, events, spaces, and policies.  This is a good opportunity for students to fulfill community service credits, obtain job skills, develop leadership abilities, and acquire college extracurricular experience. 

This month we will be having a special end of the school year celebration! Come and join us for trivia, pizza, snacks and games!

Questions?  Contact Catherine Upton uptonc@santacruzpl.org

Meetings: 3rd Sunday of the month, 2:00-4:00pm in the Upstairs Meeting Room at the Downtown Branch Library.

Sunday, May 19 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Barbara Gorson Multiuse Room

This is a group of writers working together to improve their writing and find ways to get published. The group meets every 3rd Sunday of the month 3 - 5 in the Barbara Gorson Multipurpose Room.