Thursday, April 24 (12:00 AM - 11:59 PM)
Location: Systemwide

All library branches will close for Staff In-Service day. Regular hours resume on Friday, April 25th 2025.

Todas las bibliotecas públicas de Santa Cruz estarán cerradas por el día de servicio interno del personal. El horario regular se reanuda el viernes, 25 de abril, 2025.

Thursday, April 24 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: La Selva Beach
Room: Online

The Passionate Readers Book Discussion group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 10:30a to 12:00p at the La Selva Beach Branch Library.    All adults are welcome.  

This month's selection is: The Guest Book, by Sarah Blake.

Due to library closure on 4/24/25, this meeting will take place in the boardroom (conference room) at 314 Estrella Ave., La Selva Beach, CA (La Selva Beach Clubhouse).

Thursday, April 24 (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online

The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure, and Suspense: A Conversation with Bestselling Author Gregg Hurwitz

Do you love action-packed adventure? Are you ready for the thrill? You’re invited to a riveting conversation with New York Times bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz as he chats with us about his Orphan X series and his life as a writer of suspenseful storytelling.

Orphan X, the series opener, introduces the world to the Nowhere Man. He is a legendary figure spoken about only in whispers. It’s said that when he’s reached by the truly desperate and deserving, the Nowhere Man can and will do anything to protect and save them.

But he’s not merely a legend.

Evan Smoak is a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past. Taken from a group home at twelve, Evan was raised and trained as part of the Orphan Program, an off-the-books operation designed to create deniable intelligence assets—i.e. assassins. Evan was Orphan X. He broke with the Program, using everything he learned to disappear and reinvent himself as the Nowhere Man.

Now ten books in, fans cannot get enough of the Orphan X world and Hurwitz can’t wait to tell us all about it. Register now for a conversation you just cannot miss!

Join the conversation and register at https://libraryc.org/santacruzpl/71760.

About the Author: GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 24 thrillers including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, comics for AWA (including the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), DC, and Marvel, and poetry. Currently, Gregg is actively working against polarization in politics and culture. To that end, he's penned op-eds for The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Bulwark, Salon, and others, and has produced several hundred commercials and creative content which have gotten several hundred million views on digital TV platforms. He also helped write the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.

For upcoming author talks, visit https://libraryc.org/santacruzpl/upcoming.

SCPL's Virtual Author Talks are made possible by the Friends of the Capitola Library.

Thursday, April 24 (6:30 PM - 7:45 PM)
Location: Garfield Park
Room: Garfield Park Branch Library, 705 Woodrow Ave, Santa Cruz, 95060

Join us for an insightful talk with Dr. Ann López, Executive Director of the Center for Farmworker Families, as she explores the harsh realities faced by California farmworkers. Dr. López will discuss how NAFTA's impact on small farms in Mexico has contributed to forced undocumented immigration to the U.S., and the challenges farmworkers continue to endure.

This event is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of these complex issues while fostering empathy and building connections within our community. Dr. López, an emerita professor with expertise in biology and environmental science, has long advocated for awareness of human rights abuses in the migrant circuit and has initiated many projects aimed at alleviating the suffering of farmworker families.

Join us for this eye-opening discussion and learn how we can create a more informed, compassionate society.

Thursday, April 24 (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
Location: Virtual Library
Room: Online

The Scotts Valley Genre Book Club meets on the last Thursday of the month from 7:00pm-8:30pm. The group meets virtually to discuss books from a different genre each month. Please register for the access link. 

Genres for each month in 2025:

January:  New Beginnings

February: Television and/or Movie Industry 

March: Cultural Anthropology

April: Award Winner 

May: Debut Book 

June: True Crime/Thriller 

July: Travel 

August: Satire/Comedy 

September: "-ologies" 

October: Children's/YA Fantasy 

November: Philosophy

December: Memoir 

Friday, April 25 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Boulder Creek
Room: Boulder Creek Community Room, Outdoor Amphitheater

A time for free play for children with a participating adult. Arrival and departure times are flexible. This is a drop-in early learning program, where there will be toys for developing and strengthening gross motor skills, as well as providing time for young children to learn socialization skills,  and for all participants to form friendships.

Friday, April 25 (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: La Selva Beach

Come learn and play with us.  Every Friday morning (except the 1st Friday of the month) starting at 10:30a. 

Questions??  Please call the La Selva Beach Library   831.427.7710

La Selva Beach Library, 316 Estrella Ave.  

Friday, April 25 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Join us for an hour of inclusive and creative programming for adults with developmental differences.

This program focuses on fun and creative activities and social opportunities for adults with developmental differences and their caregivers. We will meet on the last Friday of each month on the Felton Community Room.

No registration is required.

Friday, April 25 (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Location: Live Oak

We are knitting at Live Oak Library on Fridays. This fun social group. Come for part of the time or stay for the whole event. Other fiber crafts are welcome and encouraged. 

For more information contact the librarian Julie Soto sotoj@santacruzpl.org or 831-427-7700 ext 7649

Friday, April 25 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room

Join us for great stories and a craft. 

Fridays  11:00a to 12noon

Aptos Branch Library, Community Room

Ages 4-6

Friday, April 25 (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Location: Capitola
Room: Ow Family Community Room

Baby Story Time features songs, rhymes, stories, and lap play designed to help babies develop early literacy skills. This program is designed for children ages birth to two and their caregivers, but all ages are welcome! After Baby Time, stay for Stay & Play to reinforce early literacy skills through play and create connections with other families. 

Friday, April 25 (11:00 AM - 11:30 AM)
Location: Scotts Valley
Room: Fireside Community Room

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

Friday, April 25 (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM)
Location: La Selva Beach

Did you know that  PACZKI is a round filled doughnut (23 points)?  Come test your vocabulary in a game of Scrabble®.

FRIDAYS

1:00

La Selva Beach Library, 316 Estrella Ave., LSB

Are you a bridge player too?  The LSB Bridge Club is 10:30-12:00 on Fridays (except the 1st Friday of the month).  

Questions? Call the La Selva Beach Library at 831-427-7710.

--

Friday, April 25 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)
Location: Downtown
Room: Life Literacies Center

An Encompass Outreach worker will be available on a drop-in basis, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, in the Life Literacies Center at the Downtown Library for anyone with questions regarding connecting to social services, county mental health, addiction recovery options, housing applications, the Homeward Bound bus ticket program, obtaining a PO Box, clearing camping tickets, obtaining a fee-free DMV CA Identification application and more.

Friday, April 25 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Study Room

Are you stuck with a technology question?

One of our tech savvy staff members at the Felton 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/felton

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!

Friday, April 25 (2:30 PM - 5:00 PM)
Location: La Selva Beach
Room: La Selva Beach Branch Library

Youth Birding Workshop - Join us for a youth birding workshop at La Selva Beach! This event is perfect for kids interested in discovering the world of birds and birdwatching. Participants will learn to identify local birds, explore their habitats, and enjoy a bird-related activity and craft.

We'll have two sessions:

Session One (2:30 - 3:30 PM): Designed for grades K-2, students will use their own curiosity, observation and inquiry to discover the basics of birdwatching, which includes using shape, color and location for identification.  A fun activity and craft.

Session Two (4:00 - 5:00 PM): Tailored for grades 3-6, this session dives into the basics of birdwatching by using identification techniques, habitat information, and bird behavior, concluding with a science-based activity and craft.

Instructor: Denise Mart Mohsenin, CA Naturalist
 

Friday, April 25 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Live Oak

Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts, Model building, and Exploration of the environment around us.

Please allow at least 30 minutes to complete a project.

Children under 7 yrs old will need an adult present to help them. Expect to get messy!

Friday, April 25 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Felton

This month's topic: Coping with Big Emotions: Overcoming Fears

Triple P strengthens families by promoting positive relationships. 

Attend this FREE parenting seminar to learn how to help your children: 

• Express feelings appropriately 

• Build a positive outlook 

• Manage stressful life events 

Presented IN ENGLISH by Cori Burt

This free seminar will be IN PERSON, in the Felton Library Community Room, and is open to the public. 

To register: Register online https://bit.ly/Fear-Apr25

or contact or contact Cori Burt at (831) 252-1137 or cmburt12@gmail.com

Triple P’s Positive Parenting Series takes place every 4th Friday of the month in the Felton Community Room.

Each session shall be announced here and is by registration only. 

Friday, April 25 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Felton
Room: Felton Community Room

Use your imagination and build anything you can dream! Lego and Duplo blocks will be available for children and youth to tinker with, build, explore, and creatively play! 

No registration necessary.

Friday, April 25 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM)
Location: Aptos
Room: The Betty Leonard Community Room

Lights! Cameras! Action!

Dreamed of making your own movie?  Here's your big break to do it all!  Write the script, build the set, and film your own movie using Lego's and Stop Motion Studio software.  Space is limited to 10 individuals or teams.  If you are working together, only one team member needs to register. 

4 week series.  April 18th to May 9

Fridays  3:00--4:30

Ages 10 to 18

This Program is sponsored by the Friends of the La Selva Beach Library and the East Region Advisory Council of Teens (ACT).