Events

February

Now through Early March 2020

  • Our Community Reads 2020 @ Aptos Library & other locations
    Patriot Number One: A Chinese Rebel Comes to America, by Lauren Hilgers is the book selected for this year. This book, and themes in the book, will be highlighted in a series of special events: The will be Films, Art Exhibits, Discussion Groups, Trivia Night, Guest Speakers, Happy Hour, Story Times,   and more. These events will 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! Click here for the Schedule of Events. (Some details are still subject to change.)

February 2020, all month

  • Picture Books on Display @ Aptos Branch
    Display of wonderful picture books for children of all ages! Books cover topics of Chinese culture, families, and historical events. “Although the young child has a limited sense of distance, size or time, they are immensely interested in what their world is like and how people live throughout the planet.” Curated by Julie Olsen Edwards, Director of Cabrillo College Children’s Peace Education & Anti-Bias Library. Click here for a full list of books. Youth Services Room, Aptos Library Branch. (Part of Our Community Reads 2020 series of events.) 

February 26th

  • Writer’s Open Mic Night @ Scotts Valley Branch (5pm – 7pm) – Writers’ Open Mic Night offers you an environment to read your works aloud. 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. Sign-up slots for readers begin at 5pm. Readings begin at 5:30pm. Readers can take 5 minutes for reading or 10 minutes for reading and peer critiquing. 

February 27th 

  • Patriot Number One Author Talk @ Cabrillo College Samper Hall (6:30pm) – Author of Patriot Number One, Lauren Hilgers lived in Shanghai, China for six years, writing about topics ranging from tomb raiders in rural Henan Province to political scandals in Beijing. Her work has appeared in Harper’s, Wired, BusinessWeek, The New Yorker, and The New York Times Magazine. Cabrillo College Samper Hall, 6500 Soquel Drive — 7:00 PM, doors open at 6:30.  (Part of Our Community Reads 2020 series of events.)

February 27th

  • Scotts Valley Genre Book Discussion Club @ Scotts Valley Branch (7:00pm – 8:30pm) – The Genre Book Club meets at the Scotts Valley Library in the Fireside Room on the last Thursday of the month from 7:00pm-8:30pm. the group discusses books from a different genre each month. The Scotts Valley Friends of the Library are sponsoring this group. If you have questions, call the Scotts Valley Library at 427-7712. 

February 28th

  • The MAKE Lab @ Scotts Valley Branch (11am – 4pm) – Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ very own makerspace—The MAKE Lab—is opened! This makerspace will offer a variety of tools for STEAM-based projects including: 3D printers, vinyl cutter, woodburning tool, soldering tool, pinback button machine, book binding machine, and a virtual reality-based sculpting and painting program. Tools are limited in quantity and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Kids 13 and under will need parental permission for some of the tools. Staff will be available to help answer questions and train patrons on more difficult tools. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library. Held on the 2nd & 4th Friday of the month.

February 29th 

  • Closing Sale Cancelled! @ Boulder Creek Library Branch – The Furniture Sale which was planned for Saturday, February 29th has been cancelled! But stay tuned — We look forward to having the event at a future date which is TBD. Thanks!

February 29th

  • Children and Teen Book Sale @ Scotts Valley Branch (10am – 2pm) – The Friends of the Scotts Valley Library will be holding a Children’s and Teen book sale at the Scotts Valley Library located at 251 Kings Village Road. Gently used books will be sold. All proceeds benefit the Scotts Valley Library.

February 29th

  • Walking Tour of Evergreen Cemetery (10:30am) – To solve a family mystery, professor/author Traci Bliss researched the history of Evergreen Cemetery. She tells of the people buried there — founders of Santa Cruz, 19th century feminists, and resilient Chinese. 261 Evergreen Street, Santa Cruz — weather permitting. ~ RSVP required: friendsoftheaptoslibrary@fscpl.org  (Part of Our Community Reads 2020 series of events.)

Every weekend in February

  • Book Sales: Continuing, for Capitola Branch @ Capitola Mall – Our storefront Book Sale is at the Capitola Mall again this month! Lots of used books, CDs & DVDs! Where: Capitola Mall, between Macy’s and the Food Court. (Note: this is a new location.) Proceeds benefit the Capitola Branch Library, and held by the Friends of the Capitol Branch Library.
    Hours for the bookstore:
    Every Friday 12-4
    Every Saturday 10-4
    Every Sunday 12-4.

March

Through March 5th

  • Our Community Reads 2020 @ Aptos Library & other locations – Patriot Number One: A Chinese Rebel Comes to America, by Lauren Hilgers  is the book selected for this year. This book, and themes in the book, will be highlighted in a series of special events: The will be Films, Art Exhibits, Discussion Groups, Trivia Night, Guest Speakers, Happy Hour, Story Times,   and more. These events will 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! Click here for the Schedule of Events.

All Mondays in March 2020

  • Every Monday is Mahalo Monday for FSCPL in March! @ Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Bar (4:30pm – 10pm) – Hula’s Island Grill will donate 10% of its sales to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries! Location is downtown: 221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz.

March 1st

  • Board in the Library @ Felton Branch (12pm – 5pm) – Adults need playtime too! Come play with us for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library’s many games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. First Sunday of each month.

March 1st

  • Chinese Arts, Culture, and Bao! @ Aptos Grange (1pm) – Master brush painter Robin Wang will demonstrate Chinese calligraphy and provide audience members with a take-home sample. Nick Hancock from Five Branches will show off his Kung Fu moves, and interactive Chinese “guessing games” will be provided by our resident China expert! And did anyone mention dim sum? Aptos Grange, 2555 Mar Vista Drive, Aptos. Click here for map. (Part of Our Community Reads 2020 series of events.)

March 2nd

  • Mahalo Monday for FSCPL @ Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Bar (4:30pm – 10pm) – Today & every Monday in March, Hula’s Island Grill will be donating 10% of its sales to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries! Location is downtown: 221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz.

March 4th

  • Ribbon Arts Guild @ Scotts Valley Branch (10am – 1pm) – Join Roxanne Langan for ribbon work and hand sewing from on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Scotts Valley Library. This program is sponsored by the Scotts Valley Friends of the Library. For more information, phone the library at 427-7712.

March 4th

  • Board in the Library @ Scotts Valley Branch (6:30pm – 8:30pm) – Adults need playtime too! Come play with us for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library’s many games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. Every first and third Wednesday. Sponsored by the Scotts Valley Friends!

March 5th

  • Friends Monthly Meeting @ Aptos Branch (5pm – 6pm) – Friends of the Aptos Library (usually the 1st Thursday of each month). The public is welcome. Aptos Branch Meeting Room.

March 5th

  • Panel Discussion: The Migrant Experience, Past and Present @ Temple Beth El (7pm) – What is the experience of today’s Chinese migrants? How does it compare with historical migration? UCSC professors Grace Peña Delgado (History) and Nancy N. Chen (Anthropology) will discuss the historical and cultural contexts of migration and the exclusionary policies that shaped the experiences of Chinese migrants living in the United States. Moderated by doctoral candidate Bristol Cave La-Coste. Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos. 7:00 PM, doors open at 6:30. Click here for map. (Part of Our Community Reads 2020 series of events.)

March 7th

  • Adult Arts & Crafts Workshop @ Scotts Valley Branch (2pm – 4pm) – This month: Beeswax food wrappers. This workshop series for adults features a different art or craft every month. Discover your new favorite hobby or hone the skills you already have. Attendees get to leave with a new project, a learned skill, and a greater sense of community. All materials and teachers are paid for by the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library.
    This month, Attendees will learn how to design, cut, and create their own beeswax food wrappers.
    Participants MUST register due to class size limits. Click here to register!

March 9th

  • Mahalo Monday for FSCPL @ Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Bar (4:30pm – 10pm) – Today & every Monday in March, Hula’s Island Grill will be donating 10% of its sales to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries! Location is downtown: 221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz.

March 11th

  • Friends Monthly Meeting @ Scotts Valley Branch  (6:30pm – 7:30pm) – The Scotts Valley Friends meet on the 2nd Wednesday every month in the Library Fireside Room. If you are interested in helping your local Scotts Valley Library, come to the meeting and learn how you can make a difference in your community. All are welcome.

March 13th

  • The MAKE Lab @ Scotts Valley Branch (11am – 4pm) – Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ very own makerspace—The MAKE Lab—is opened! This makerspace will offer a variety of tools for STEAM-based projects including: 3D printers, vinyl cutter, woodburning tool, soldering tool, pinback button machine, book binding machine, and a virtual reality-based sculpting and painting program. Tools are limited in quantity and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Kids 13 and under will need parental permission for some of the tools. Staff will be available to help answer questions and train patrons on more difficult tools. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library. Held on the 2nd & 4th Friday of the month.

March 14th  

  • Felton Library Friends, Monthly Meeting @ Felton Branch (10am – 11:30am) – This will be our first meeting at NEW Felton Library! It will be held in our Community Room. All are welcome to attend!

March 14th

  • Board in the Library @ Scotts Valley Branch (12pm – 5pm) – Adults need playtime too! Come play with us for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library’s many games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. Every second and fourth Saturday. Sponsored by the Scotts Valley Friends!

March 16th

  • La Selva Beach Library Friends, Monthly Meeting @ LSB Clubhouse (3pm) – Meets on the 3rd Monday of each month, in the Boardroom of the LSB Clubhouse. All are welcome.

March 16th

  • Mahalo Monday for FSCPL @ Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Bar (4:30pm – 10pm) – Today & every Monday in March, Hula’s Island Grill will be donating 10% of its sales to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries! Location is downtown: 221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz.

March 18th

  • Ribbon Arts Guild @ Scotts Valley Branch (10am – 1pm) – Join Roxanne Langan for ribbon work and hand sewing from on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Scotts Valley Library. This program is sponsored by the Scotts Valley Friends of the Library. For more information, phone the library at 427-7712.

March 18th

  • Board in the Library @ Scotts Valley Branch (6:30pm – 8:30pm) – Adults need playtime too! Come play with us for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library’s many games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. Every first and third Wednesday. Sponsored by the Scotts Valley Friends!

March 19th

  • Munching with Mozart @ Downtown Branch (12:10 – 12:50pm) – A monthly series of free noon-time concerts at the Downtown Branch meeting room, feel free to bring your quiet lunch! This month will feature: Music for string ensemble and piano. Some performers for upcoming months will be:
    April 16: Chia-Lin Yang, piano and friends.
    May 21: Celebrating Beethoven’s birthday.

March 21st

  • Book Sale @ Aptos Branch (10am – 3pm) – Come browse a wide ranging collection from fiction and non-fiction to children’s books, audio books to CDs. Held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, from January through October.

March 23rd

  • Mahalo Monday for FSCPL @ Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Bar (4:30pm – 10pm) – Today & every Monday in March, Hula’s Island Grill will be donating 10% of its sales to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries! Location is downtown:  221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz.

March 25th 

  • FSCPL: Free Book GiveAway! @ Downtown Branch (12:00pm – 1:30pm) – The Friends of Santa Cruz Public Libraries receive so many books that we are giving some away to make room for new books and give back to the community! Some gems, some books only eclectic lovers of discards would like. These are also great books for Free Little Libraries! Come one come all — you’ll find some treasures!! We Appreciate Your Support! Location: Outside to the right of the Santa Cruz Library Downtown Branch entrance. FREE books from Friends of SCPL! * This event is weather permitting! *

March 25th

  • Writer’s Open Mic Night @ Scotts Valley Branch (5pm – 7pm) – Writers’ Open Mic Night offers you an environment to read your works aloud. 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. Sign-up slots for readers begin at 5pm. Readings begin at 5:30pm. Readers can take 5 minutes for reading or 10 minutes for reading and peer critiquing. 

March 26th

  • Scotts Valley Genre Book Discussion Club @ Scotts Valley Branch (7:00pm – 8:30pm) – The Genre Book Club meets at the Scotts Valley Library in the Fireside Room on the last Thursday of the month from 7:00pm-8:30pm. the group discusses books from a different genre each month. The Scotts Valley Friends of the Library are sponsoring this group. If you have questions, call the Scotts Valley Library at 427-7712. 

March 27th

  • The MAKE Lab @ Scotts Valley Branch (11am – 4pm) – Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ very own makerspace—The MAKE Lab—is opened! This makerspace will offer a variety of tools for STEAM-based projects including: 3D printers, vinyl cutter, woodburning tool, soldering tool, pinback button machine, book binding machine, and a virtual reality-based sculpting and painting program. Tools are limited in quantity and will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Kids 13 and under will need parental permission for some of the tools. Staff will be available to help answer questions and train patrons on more difficult tools. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Scotts Valley Library. Held on the 2nd & 4th Friday of the month.

March 28th

  • Board in the Library @ Scotts Valley Branch (12pm – 5pm) – Adults need playtime too! Come play with us for hours of tabletop gaming fun. Bring your favorite board game or play some of the library’s many games. No prior gaming experience is necessary. Every second and fourth Saturday. Sponsored by the Scotts Valley Friends!

March 30th

  • Mahalo Monday for FSCPL @ Hula’s Island Grill and Tiki Bar (4:30pm – 10pm) – Today & every Monday in March, Hula’s Island Grill will be donating 10% of its sales to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries! Location is downtown: 221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz.

Every weekend in March

  • Book Sales: Continuing, for Capitola Branch @ Capitola Mall – Our storefront Book Sale is at the Capitola Mall again this month! Lots of used books, CDs & DVDs! Where: Capitola Mall, between Macy’s and the Food Court. (Note: this is a new location.) Proceeds benefit the Capitola Branch Library, and held by the Friends of the Capitol Branch Library.
    Hours for the bookstore:
    Every Friday 12-4
    Every Saturday 10-4
    Every Sunday 12-4.