As a Library Director, you may expect me to be pleased —as I was last week when I visited Capitola and Aptos libraries and found them bustling with activity, from the parking lot all the way to the interior, where people were participating in programs, studying in a study room, checking out books, or reading at a table. This vibrancy is what energizes me in my chosen profession. What you may not know is that while driving to and from our libraries, I also think about the numerous people in the homes, schools and businesses I pass along the way who may also be using the library in ways that I cannot see.
Probably the most well known example of this is our Outreach services, which brings books and programs to people across the County who might otherwise have difficulty reaching their local library. Last fiscal year, over 21,000 books were circulated through bookmobile stops, senior centers, and county jail facilities. Our team also offered 482 library programs at partner sites. We regularly set up resource tables or our book bikes at community events and farmers markets, often partnering with the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries on events such as the Holiday and Pride parades. Additionally, many of your neighbors benefit from our homebound library services which includes having library items personally delivered by our Book Buddy volunteers or participating in the direct mail service from the State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Library collection. You yourself may check out your next read from our extensive collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and more, without leaving the comfort of your home; last year we circulated 644,868 items from these collections. Finally, one of our most popular services is our Tel-Info service in which our staff answer questions virtually via telephone, email, text or chat - you can find the details in the “Contact Us" section of our website.
While our Library branches are important centers in each of their communities, the Library itself is embedded in the network of our neighborhoods in more ways than ever before. I encourage you to explore everything we have to offer by visiting a Library branch near you!
Christopher Platt
