Thursday, May 15 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room

Are you ready to experience the ancient art of Tai Chi amidst the serene ambiance of your local library? 

 What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is a gentle, flowing martial art that originated in ancient China. It's known for its graceful movements, deep breathing techniques, and meditative benefits. Whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience, this class is perfect for everyone!

 The Class Experience:
Expect a warm and welcoming environment filled with laughter and camaraderie. Routines suitable for all fitness levels. Don't worry; no prior experience is required – just bring an open mind and a smile!

 Benefits of Tai Chi:
- Enhance your balance and flexibility.
- Reduce stress and increase relaxation.
- Improve focus and mental clarity.
- Promote a sense of overall well-being.
- Foster a connection with fellow library-goers and the community.

 Who Can Join:
Absolutely everyone! Whether you're a regular library visitor or someone who's never stepped inside, all are welcome. No age restrictions or physical limitations – Tai Chi is adaptable for all.

Join us every Thursday morning from 10:00 AM to 11 AM at the Aptos library's spacious community room. Remember, the class is free, so mark your calendars and invite your friends along!

What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing that allows easy movement is recommended. 

Instructor: Margie Biddick - visit class to join Margie's email mailing list.

Substitute Instructor: Nancy Brighton - contact: whatsup13009@gmail.com (Aptos Library only)

Thursday, May 15 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Boulder Creek

Are you stuck with a technology question?

One of our tech savvy staff members at the Boulder Creek Branch 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.

Make an appointment: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/boulder-creek

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!

Thursday, May 15 (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.

Thursday, May 15 (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Downtown

Come join us for stories, songs and rhymes!  Stay and play after storytime!  This 30 minute program is intended for children ages 0-5.

Thursday, May 15 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Life Literacies Center

Wings Homeless Advocates provides office hours inside the Life Literacies Center, located in the Downtown Santa Cruz Library on Thursdays, 10:30am - 12:00pm. Wings provides free birth certificates and notary services for people experiencing homelessness. For more information about this service, contact Wings at id@wingsadvocacy.org or leave a voicemail at 831-291-5096.

Thursday, May 15 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Garfield Park

A writing workshop with the over 55 age group to reflect on our awareness of the natural environment and climate change.. This activity encourages community, socialization, and creativity among the older age group who may be at higher risk for isolation and mental health.

Stephany Buswell has been in a writers group for the last ten years or so. What has grown out of this was her memoir which was published in 2022. She is currently working on her second book which is both memoir and comedy writing. Stephany is a retired pastry chef and has spent the last fifty years making cakes for all occasions. This book will tell stories of her cake disasters and interesting situations. Writing has become her new passion after retiring as a pastry chef instructor.  

Elbina Batala Rafizadeh is a published writer, poet, and a Cal Poet teacher. Her first book of poetry was published in 2024. She is also co-editor of an anthology of peace poetry published in 2024. She has facilitated short story and poetry writing groups since 1997. She is a member of the Writers of Color and a California Poet teacher. Before transitioning to academia, she worked for 24 years as a public health nurse in Watsonville and Pajaro. She is now semi-retired and teaches one health class at West Valley Mission College. Her cultural heritage and experiences in the natural world inform her writing. 

When: 

April 17th and May 15th

Time: 10:30 am - 12 pm

Where: 

Garfield Park Library Community Room 

What:

Materials: Bring Pen/Pencil and Paper/Notebook

Light Refreshments.

How: 

1. Short introduction and explanation 5 - 10 min

2. Writing (with prompt) 20 min

3. Reading followed by feedback until 11:30 or before

Thursday, May 15 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak

Come join Librarian Julie for stories, songs, and lots of fun for preschoolers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated children's area at Live Oak Library Branch every Thursday at 11am.

Thursday, May 15 (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Boulder Creek
Room: Online

Please join us in-person or via Zoom every third Thursday of the month at 11:00 am when we discuss the book of the month, watch short videos highlighting authors and interesting side notes about the current book, and share personal insights.

May Book Selection: Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas

Thursday, May 15 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Come join Librarian Jackie for stories, songs, and lots of fun for preschoolers and their caregivers in our lovely Felton Community Room every Thursday at 11am.

Thursday, May 15 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Otter Room

Please join us at the Downtown Public Library on Thursdays, 11am-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.

Thursday, May 15 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online

Know the many uses for an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot.

Chatbots, like ChatGPT, have taken the world by storm.  Learn the various ways such tools are being used and how to get the best results.

Please register below to receive the Zoom link via email.

For more information about our free Tech Talks workshops click here.

Thursday, May 15 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Life Literacies Center

The Housing Matters Outreach Team will be available at the Downtown Santa Cruz Library, every Thursday, 1:00-4:00pm, for families and individuals experiencing homelessness to help them access resources, navigate housing, and meet with Housing Matters representatives. This is a drop-in service - first come, first served.

For more information about Housing Matters:

(831) 458-6020

contact@housingmatterssc.org

https://housingmatterssc.org/

Thursday, May 15 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room

Welcome players of all levels - the experienced and the newly curious!

Connect with fellow Mahjong enthusiasts and build a supportive community. Share experiences, exchange tips, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow learners.

I host a Beginner's Learning Table EVERY week, instructing in Hong Kong Style. I will take you through the basics of the tiles and setup, followed by a game with tiles face up as we put what we've learned into practice. You can stay at the Beginner's table for as long as you need.  Alternatively, we have an additional instructor in Chinese Mah Jongg with British rules if you find you prefer that style instead.  

We have tile sets to choose from or you may bring your own.

ATTENTION: All are welcome to play, however please be mindful and respectful that there are at least 40 known variants of this game.  If you would like to play American or Traditional Chinese, or other variants, you are welcome to do so, but you may need to be patient and instruct folks on how to play your way. Sometimes modifications will be needed, at the beginning of each game ask the table what rules to play by and be courteous and kind to one another.

Thursday, May 15 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak Library Annex at 979 17th Ave

This is an informal drop in session for children who want to play pokemon. Bring your decks and get ready to see who is the Poke Master! No trades allowed.
For more information please call 831-427-7713

Thursday, May 15 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Aptos

R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 1st through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Thursdays 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

Thursday, May 15 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak Library Annex at 979 17th Ave
Room: Live Oak Library Annex Study Room

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

This program is located at the Live Oak Library Annex in studyroom A. Address:  979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062. 

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

Thursday, May 15 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Felton

R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 1st through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Thursdays 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

Thursday, May 15 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Make and explore STEAM possibilities at Felton Branch Library! 

Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts, including model building, 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 Felton Library Community Room and / or patio. 

Thursday, May 15 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Downtown

R.E.A.D. is one-on-one reading comprehension instruction for readers 1st through 12th grade. Instructors are California credentialed teachers. Thursdays 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

Thursday, May 15 (3:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: La Selva Beach
Room: La Selva Beach Branch Library

Make and explore STEAM possibilities at La Selva Beach Branch Library! 

Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts, including model building, 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!

This week's project: Marbled Milk Paper