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Essential Services & Community Resources

Servicios en español

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Mobile Health Clinic

Tuesday, June 3 (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

    

 


Backgammon @ the Library

Tuesday, June 3 (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!


In-person Tech Help (Downtown)

Tuesday, June 3 (10:00 AM - 12:00 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!


Storytime @ Downtown

Tuesday, June 3 (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.


STEM Explorers: Build a Computer!

Tuesday, June 3 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Ow Family Community Room

Join us for an exciting six-week STEM adventure designed for kids 8-12! In this hands-on program,
participants will assemble and explore Piper computers, gaining practical experience with computer
engineering, coding, and problem-solving. Each week, kids will unlock new challenges as they build and
program a computer, using Minecraft to learn foundational STEM skills in a fun and collaborative environment.
No prior experience is necessary - just curiosity and creativity! This six-week series meets weekly from June 3rd - July 15th. There will be no class on July 1st.

Register Now!


Toddler Time at Live Oak

Tuesday, June 3 (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.


Toddler Time @ Scotts Valley

Tuesday, June 3 (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.


Volunteer Housing Navigators

Tuesday, June 3 (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.


New Parents' Support Group

Tuesday, June 3 (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

 

 

 


Grupo de conversación en inglés - English Language Conversation Group

Tuesday, June 3 (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.


Housing Matters Drop In Hours @ Felton

Tuesday, June 3 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Study Room

A Housing Matters Outreach Specialist will be available at the Felton Library every Tuesday, 1:00-3:00pm, to support people experiencing homelessness and help connect them to resources, navigate housing options, and sign up for benefits. This is a drop-in service - first come, first served.


GSSCC Lecture: Creating an Ancestor Profile, with Thomas MacEntee

Tuesday, June 3 (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Online

Tuesday, JUNE 3, 2025 1:00 PM PDT VIA ZOOM

Please note two Zoom viewing options: live streaming in the downtown library’s upstairs meeting room or viewing at home.

Guest Speaker: Thomas MacEntee CREATING AN ANCESTOR PROFILE

Most genealogists never get around to publishing that family history book based on their genealogy research. How about a different approach: producing short 3-5 page sketches about an ancestor? During this program, you’ll learn how to include a cover, photos, facts, family stories, source citations and more! And once you get a few of these ancestor sketches done, you can compile them together for one big book!

Thomas MacEntee is a Baby Boomer guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago, and then left a lucrative IT career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research are opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices to break down research brick walls. Thomas MacEntee: author, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and that “genealogy guy” who helps you accomplish your family history goals.

Register Now!


Village Rhythms

Tuesday, June 3 (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Boulder Creek
Room: Boulder Creek Community Room, Outdoor Amphitheater

Join Onye Onyemaechi, world-renowned master percussionist, educator and author for an engaging musical exploration of African Village Life through drums and song! Crowd participation encouraged!


Bookbinding - Sewn Signature, Soft cover Pamphlet Binding

Tuesday, June 3 (3:00 PM - 5:30 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Sewn signature bindings have been in use since the 5th century. In this class taught by Beth Thomas of Danskbog Bindery, we will sew together multiple page signatures (or folios) and attach them to a soft cover made of beautiful marbled papers.

 

Instructor Bio:

Beth Thomas, located locally in Ben Lomond, has been bookbinding for over 35 years and has a bookbinding studio, Danskbog Bindery, where she does book restoration work, designs and makes new books and teaches bookbinding.

Register Now!


Aptos Youth Chess Club

Tuesday, June 3 (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!


PBS presents Free For All film screening

Tuesday, June 3 (6:30 PM - 8:00 PM)
Location: Garfield Park
Room: Garfield Park Branch Library, 705 Woodrow Ave, Santa Cruz, 95060

Short Description: How public libraries shaped the country and continue to be a sanctuary for Americans everywhere.

Long Description: Free for All: The Public Library tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today's librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to all.


Filmmakers: Dawn Logsdon (Director, Producer, Editor) and Lucie Faulknor (Co-director, Producer).

Register Now!


Mobile Health Clinic

Wednesday, June 4 (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Scotts Valley

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 weekly visits to the Scotts Valley branch library. Join us on Wednesdays.

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 Flu shots Referrals to community providers for specialty care, including mental health Help navigating the health care system and local resources

Common Spirit Health/Dignity Mobile Wellness Clinic y las Bibliotecas Públicas de Santa Cruz se han asociado para conectar servicios que respaldan la salud física, mental y económica, así como el bienestar de los usuarios, y brindar atención equitativa a comunidades desatendidas con visitas semanales a la biblioteca de Scotts Valley. Acompáñenos los miércoles.

Horario

9:00 a. m. - 12:00 p. m. y 1:00 p. m. - 3:00 p. m. Cerrado en días festivos y en caso de mal tiempo.
 

Servicios proporcionados

Personal bilingüe (inglés y español) Evaluación y tratamiento de necesidades de atención médica agudas y crónicas Evaluaciones para diabetes, presión arterial alta y cáncer Vacunes contra la gripe Referencias a proveedores comunitarios para atención especializada, incluida la salud mental Ayuda para navegar el sistema de atención médica y recursos locales.

 

     


In-person Tech Help @ Capitola

Wednesday, June 4 (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Brad Mcdonald Conference Room

Are you stuck with a technology question?

One of our tech savvy staff members at the Capitola 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. 

Please make an appointment in advance here: https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/appointments/capitola#s-lc-public-pt

Please call telephone information (831-427-7713) if you require assistance making an appointment.

We look forward to helping you!


Homeless Garden Project Open Office Hours

Wednesday, June 4 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Life Literacies Center

The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) and Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) are partnering together to provide the HGP office hours at the Downtown Santa Cruz Branch Library.  The HGP open office hours provides people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to learn more about HGP services and programs.  Additionally, this partnership will make library spaces available for the HGP to meet with clients, service providers, community organizations, and others to support a thriving and inclusive community, workforce, and local food system. 

Walk-ins welcome, everyone served on a first come, first served basis


Capitola Book Discussion Group on Zoom

Wednesday, June 4 (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online

The Capitola Book Discussion Group meets every 1st Wednesday of the month from 10:30am to 11:30am. For easy accessibility, we have moved to Zoom (registration required). We welcome all adults to join us. 

“Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world.” —Jeanette Winterson

June 2025: The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

In Argus, North Dakota, a collection of people revolve around a fraught wedding. A novel about our tattered bond with the earth and about love, its absurdity and splendor.

From the book:

“What did the angel look like?” asked Al.

“Like a seal.”

Register Now!

Contact Us

SCPL staff available
Mon-Thur 10am-6pm
Fri-Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 1pm-5pm

Email Us

831.427.7713

Text 831.264.0647

Chat

Locations & Hours

Suggest a Purchase

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Summer Reading!
June 1 - July 31
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2022-25 Strategic Plan

Essential Services & Community Resources

Servicios en español

Connect with Local Government Decision Makers
Additional Resources
View full calendar
Contact Us

SCPL staff available
Mon-Thur 10am-6pm
Fri-Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 1pm-5pm

Email Us

831.427.7713

Text 831.264.0647

Chat

Locations & Hours

Suggest a Purchase

FAQs

Summer Reading!
June 1 - July 31
Sign Up!
2022-25 Strategic Plan