June 2025
Santa Cruz Public Libraries is celebrating Pride Month throughout June and joining Santa Cruz Pride in celebrating their 50th Anniversary. Discover book recommendations, join us for free events, explore illuminating resources, and much more—for all ages by visiting this link.


 
Summer Reading Program Brochure

Download our monthly brochures and come explore some library programs!
 
Download the Summer Reading Program Brochure
Download the Reading Log
 
Print copies are available in the branches.

 
Living the Otter Life with Katherine Applegate (3rd-6th Grade)
Newbery Medalist and New York Times Bestselling Author
Tuesday, June 24th at 1:00 PM PDT
 
To register for upcoming virtual talks, visit the SCPL Virtual Author Talks website at: https://libraryc.org/santacruzpl. 
Sign up for the monthly Virtual Author Talks newsletter to hear about the upcoming
free virtual author talks. https://libraryc.org/santacruzpl/subscribe
 
Virtual Author Talks  is made possible through the generous support of the
Friends of the Capitola Branch Library.

Aguacate Music Kids Presents Healthy Me/ Saludable Soy
 
Join us at the Branciforte and Boulder Creek Libraries for a special presentation of The Healthy Me/Saludable Soy Program. This is a bilingual, multi-sensory, fun-filled music and movement experience. Children have fun singing, dancing, and playing instruments!
 
Pride: Screening and Discussion of Six-part Documentary 
 
Celebrate 50 years of Santa Cruz Pride with a semi-weekly screening of PRIDE, a six-part documentary series chronicling the fight for LGBTQ civil rights in America.
Light refreshments will be provided. 
This event is part of our Summer Reading Program, Color Our World.
 
Branciforte Branch on Wednesdays
Live Oak Library Annex on Thursdays


Jr Rangers
 
Discover California’s Natural and Cultural History at these free programs at the Garfield Park Library through stories, games, crafts, and other hands-on activities. Participating 7 - 12 year olds can earn Junior Ranger badges & stamps.
This month's theme is Lady Lightkeepers
Preparing Your Child and Family for a New Baby
 
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behavior and prevent problems developing. The topic for this month is: preparing your child and family for a new baby.


Book Publishing 1-2-3
 
Grab a pen and join us for this lively program, peppered with ideas and stories to inspire and empower writers of all types and stripes. Learn valuable resources to help aspiring authors connect with literary agents and editors, and tips you can put to work right away to boost your command of the craft, followed by some thoughts on reaching readers through marketing and promotion.
Community Nature Journaling
 
Have you ever wanted to learn how to nature-journal? Join and learn skills and techniques that will get you out into nature exploring sunlight, shadows, movement and heat in our wonderful natural world. We provide a sketch book and pencils that will be yours to keep!
 
Register Here

Summer Pop-Up Book Sale
 
Get ready to flip through pages at our pop-up book sale! We're offering a wide range of books, from classic novels to contemporary reads. Discover hidden gems and enjoy a cozy atmosphere at the Branciforte Branch Library while making great finds.
DIY Pressed Flower Craft at
La Selva Beach 
 
Join us at the La Selva Beach Library to explore the art of pressed flowers! We'll be making beautiful pressed flower lanterns as well as bookmarks to accompany your summer reading.
Feel free to bring your own flowers to press, or use the selection of pressed flowers that the library will provide for decorating your lantern and bookmark.
This workshop is beginner friendly, and all supplies will be provided!
 
Register Here

Queer Gaming
 
Happy Pride! Queer Gaming is a safe place for LGBTQ+ folks and allies to gather, play games and build community. This program happens every month.
Perry Yan Magic Show
 
Join Perry Yan’s Magic and enjoy a visual and astonishing magic show, with a dose of humor, sure to delight kids of all ages! 
Two Locations: Garfield Park and Aptos!

Creating Healthy Habits That Can Help Prevent Cognitive Decline
 
Join Dr. Steven Leib, M.D. and learn how to create healthy habits now that can decrease your risk for cognitive decline in the future.
Find out about:
  • What the latest research about Alzheimer's Disease and brain health tells us
  • How to achieve lasting changes that can help promote brain health and prevent disease
NorCal Bats
 
NorCalBats is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of bats throughout Northern California. Come to the library to meet the bats, learn about these these animals and their role in insect control, and learn how you can help save these important mammals with education and rescue!
Three locations: Capitola, Downtown and Felton!

Ekphrastic Poem Making 
 
 In this two- hour generative workshop we'll write poems that respond to portraits or paintings, creating an intimate conversation, artist to artist. We'll look at examples from Anne Sexton, William Carlos Williams and others. Our finished works will not just be a description, but a revelation! Facilitated by poet-teacher, Magdalena Montagne
Master Gardeners: Design a Pollinator Habitat in Your Backyard
 
 Discover how California native plants can provide seasonal beauty while supporting pollinators and local ecosystems. Join Master Gardener volunteers as we share tips and techniques for attracting and supporting pollinators to your backyard. Registration required.
 
Register Here

Celebrating Color and Fiber

The Santa Cruz Textile Arts Guild is celebrating their 70th year and we are inviting the community to learn about what they do. We will be spinning, weaving, natural dyeing and doing all manner of fiber-y fun! Come ask questions and learn about how plants and animal fibers become beautiful handwoven fabrics.
Bookmaking: Pamphlet Books

Bookmaking fun in the library! Learn how to sew your very own pamphlet book. Registration not required but highly encouraged.
 
Register Here


Help Shape the Measure Q Vision Plan!
In 2024, Santa Cruz County voters approved Measure Q — the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Beaches, Wildfire Prevention and Wildlife Protection Act — to fund local projects that improve water quality, reduce wildfire risks, protect natural habitats, and build climate resilience. The Measure is expected to generate over $7 million annually.
 
To ensure these funds are spent in ways that reflect community priorities, the County is developing a Vision Plan—and we want your input! Take our short survey by July 3 to help guide investments over the next 5 years.
 
Click here to take the survey