Monday, January 20 (12:00 AM - 11:59 PM)
Location: Systemwide

All library branches will close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours resume on Tuesday, January 21st 2025.

Todas las bibliotecas públicas de Santa Cruz estarán cerradas por el día de Martin Luther King Jr. El horario regular se reanuda el martes, 21 de enero, 2025.

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Tuesday, January 21 (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Felton

Common Spirit Health/Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic and Santa Cruz Public Libraries are partnering together to connect services that support the physical, mental and economic health and well-being of patrons and provide equitable care to underserved communities with visits to the Felton Branch Library on the first & third Tuesday of the month.

Hours

9:00a-12:00p and 1:00p-3:00p Closed for holidays and inclement weather

Services provided 

Bilingual (English & Spanish) staff  Evaluation and treatment of both acute and chronic health care needs Screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. Referrals to community providers for specialty care, including mental health Help navigating the health care system and local resources

    

 

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Tuesday, January 21 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: Dorosin Memorial Conference Room

Join us for Backgammon at the library, where players of all skill levels—beginners and experienced—can enjoy one of the world’s oldest and most strategic board games. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned player looking to sharpen your skills, this event is perfect for you!

What to Expect:

New to Backgammon? Our volunteers and fellow participants will guide you through the basics, explaining the rules, strategies, and tips to get you rolling with confidence. Already a pro? Challenge your peers, share strategies, and help foster a welcoming environment for newer players. Friendly competition is encouraged!

Highlights:

Introduction to Backgammon: Learn the fundamentals—rules, setup, and game flow. Guided Play: Play alongside others, with staff available to assist with questions and strategy tips. Friendly Competition: Experienced players can participate in informal matches. Social Fun: Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, meet new people, and have fun while exercising your mind.

When: Every Tuesday 
Where: Aptos Library - Conference Room

                                                Bring a friend or come solo—everyone’s welcome!

Backgammon is not just a game of luck, but a game of skill, tactics, and social interaction. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn or a veteran eager for a challenge, this is the perfect opportunity to experience a beloved classic. We hope to see you there!

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Tuesday, January 21 (10:30 AM - 11:00 AM)
Location: Downtown

Join us in the Young People's room at the Downtown Library for storytime!  We'll share stories, songs, and rhymes in a safe environment. Stay and play after storytime. This program is intended for children aged 0-5. Craft kits will be provided every week to make in the library or to take home.

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Tuesday, January 21 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak

Come join Librarian Julie for stories, songs, and lots of fun for toddlers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated Live Oak Library Branch every Tuesday at 11am.

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Tuesday, January 21 (11:00 AM - 11:45 AM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Fireside Community Room

Come join Librarian Emily for stories, songs, and lots of fun for toddlers and their caregivers in our beautiful, newly-renovated Scotts Valley Library Branch every Tuesday at 11am.

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Tuesday, January 21 (11:00 AM - 11:20 AM)
Location: Aptos

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 while spending valuable social time with other children and their caregivers. Please arrive on time. Let's play and learn together!

Location: Aptos Children's Room

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Tuesday, January 21 (11:30 AM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Life Literacies Center

Volunteer Housing Navigators provides housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness every Tuesday, 11:30-1 in the Life Literacies Center.

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Tuesday, January 21 (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Join us for this weekly peer support group for new parents facilitated by two local postpartum doulas. This program offers a welcoming space for new parents to learn from each other, make new friends, get breastfeeding and bottle feeding support, and access to helpful resources. Come in with your questions, concerns, or just for a safe place to meet other parents and create community. Bring your own blanket, snacks, toys, and please feel free to bring older siblings! 

Free Drop-in basis No registration need

 

 

 

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Tuesday, January 21 (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: Live Oak Library Annex at 979 17th Ave
Room: Live Oak Library Annex Meeting Room

¡Acompáñanos en el Anexo de la Biblioteca de Live Oak los martes de 1 a 2:30 pm para tener la oportunidad de practicar sus habilidades en el idioma inglés con nuevos amigos y con la profesora de ESL, Peggy Miles!

El Anexo de la Biblioteca de Live Oak se puede encontrar en 979 17th Ave, en Simpkins Family Swim Center.

Please join us at the Live Oak Library Annex at Simpkins on Tuesdays from 1-2:30pm for a chance to practice your English language skills with new friends and ESL teacher, Peggy Miles!

The Live Oak Library Annex can be found at 979 17th Ave, at Simpkins Family Swim Center.

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Tuesday, January 21 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: Dorosin Memorial Conference Room

Join us for a series of 4 weekly art-making workshops to practice process-oriented arts activities as a healing form of creative expression. We will use a variety of mediums and prompts along with mindfulness for a deeper connection with our mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as to reduce stress and anxiety.

What to expect: brief guided meditation, art making, reflective journaling, and optional group sharing and insights. 

No prior art experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. You may want to bring a 9x12 spiral bound watercolor pad to use as an art journal.  

Register Now!

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Tuesday, January 21 (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: Offsite
Room: Offsite - see event description for location

Field Trip: Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges 
Join Martha Nitzberg, Interpretive Ranger, and volunteer docent June Langhoff at a Monarch overwintering site. Learn about their amazing migration and the Methuselah generation that winters on our coast. Weather permitting, we’ll take a short, guided walk to the Monarch grove. Binoculars will enhance the experience. Coffee & snacks provided. 
Meet at the Visitor Center, 2531 W Cliff Drive (parking fee)
Note: There will be an optional stop at Lighthouse Field (another overwintering site) afterward.
 

Register Now!

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Tuesday, January 21 (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Tales to Tails is a literacy program designed to help children improve their reading skills by providing them the opportunity to read to certified therapy dogs. Programs like Tales to Tails have been implemented nationally in both libraries and schools and have proven to be extremely effective in increasing the self-confidence and reading abilities of the participants. Call in at 831-427-7708 to make a 30-minute appointment at the Felton Branch Library at either 3pm or 3:30pm on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. We and our furry friends look forward to seeing you there!

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Tuesday, January 21 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak

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

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Tuesday, January 21 (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Garfield Park

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

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Tuesday, January 21 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Fireside Community Room

Make and explore STEAM possibilities at Scotts Valley Branch Library! 

Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts 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 Scotts Valley Library Fireside Room and / or patio. 

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Tuesday, January 21 (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room

Come and play chess, one of the world’s oldest and most popular games, against other kids! One-hour meetings include 15 minutes of instruction by chess master Dana Mackenzie. For ages 6-18. We welcome all skill levels, but encourage beginners to at least learn the basic rules (how the pieces move) before coming the first time.

Note to parents: Chess is a great way for kids to build sportsmanship, concentration, and reasoning skills, while having a lot of fun!

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Tuesday, January 21 (3:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Downtown Community Room

This Bingo program for people with special abilities (disabilities) is adaptable to all because it uses pictures! Enjoy some social time and have some fun. Small prizes too! All ages welcomed. Caregivers must stay with participant.

3rd Tuesdays of each month

Downtown Branch Library

3:30-5:00pm

About Shared Adventures:

Founded in 1994 by Foster Andersen, a survivor of a spinal cord injury with quadriplegia, Shared Adventures has provided hundreds of life-enriching recreational and social activities for people with special needs.

Our goal is to offer opportunities for social and recreational interaction for disabled people, and thereby encourage:

Personal growth, development, and self-confidence Cooperation, decision-making, and leadership skills Outdoor skills and environmental awareness Improved quality of life and level of happiness

We are the only program in Santa Cruz County that offers a year-round calendar of recreational events that is completely inclusive! We cater to people of all walks of life, including age, disability, and our veterans.

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Tuesday, January 21 (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Study Room A

Bill Wilson Center's Shared Housing/Host Home Program is looking for people who can provide temporary housing (up to 6 months) in a safe and welcoming environment for former foster youth and LGBTQ+/allied young adults (ages 18-24) who are experiencing housing instability. 

The Host Homes/Shared Housing Program partner will be provided with monthly rental assistance (up to $1,500) for providing temporary shelter to our former foster youth and LGBTQ+/allied youth.

Hosts can be families, couples or singles who are allies of former foster youth and the LGBTQ+ community. Bill Wilson Center will match a young adult to approved host homes. Host homes can be located anywhere in Santa Cruz County. Hosts receive ongoing training and 24/7 support from BWC case managers.

Come meet Valerie Arno, the coordinator for this program, and learn more about how you can be the change by becoming a Host Home Mentor!

Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.

Register Now!

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Tuesday, January 21 (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room

Start Smart Driving Education for Teens & their Parents

In an effort to prepare young drivers to drive responsibly, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is offering new driver education class for new drivers and their parents. Start Smart, presented by the CHP, addresses such topics as the safe driving practices, the rules of the road, and new driver license requirements. Contact your nearest CHP Area office to confirm your registration to this free class.

CONTACT CHP Santa Cruz Office at 831-219-0200 to register

Location: Aptos Library