K-12 Newsletter April 2026
SCPL's monthly library newsletter for school-aged kids, parents, and educators
 
There are so many educational programs, events, and resources available at your local library! This month's newsletter has resources, booklists, and more:
 
National Poetry Month
National Autism Awareness Month
National Arab American Heritage Month
National Library Week - April 19 - 25

National Poetry Month
 
National Poetry Month celebrates poets and poetry's integral role in our culture.
Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate Celebration 
Thursday, April 16
7:00 - 8:30 pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center
                               
Poetry Month Educational Resources:
  • National Poetry Month Site - Poets.org
  • Poetry Foundation's Learning Lab
  • Resources from Reading Rockets
  • Resources from ReadWriteThink

National Autism Awareness Month 
Help spread kindness and increase autism awareness during the month of April.
  
Check out our Autism Awareness Month book list
Arab American Heritage Month
 
Check out our SWANA/Arab American booklist!
National Library Week is April 19-25
 
Movie Screening: The Librarians
In the film, Librarians across the U.S. examine how book review policies are shaping their communities.
 
Scotts Valley Branch Library
April 22, 5:00-7:00 pm
Capitola Branch Library 
April 23, 6:30-8:00 pm
National Library Week Book Bag Painting
 
Celebrate National Library Week by painting a book bag! All ages welcomed unless noted otherwise.
 
April 18, 1:00-3:00, Aptos (ages 12-18)
April 19, 3:00-4:00, Capitola
April 20, 3:30-5:00, Downtown 
April 21, 2:00-3:00, Branciforte
April 22, 1:30-2:30, Boulder Creek 

Featured Programs
  
 
Sewing for Kids
 
Join Sewing for Kids Downtown! April's project is a chicken. No sewing experience needed. *Registration is required.
 
 
Saturday, April 4
10:30 am-11:30 am
Downtown Branch Library
 
More info
 
Make Your Own Slime Bar
 
Mix, squish, and create to design a one- of-a-kind slime to take home. All supplies provided.
*Supplies limited to the first 20 slime makers.
 
Saturday, April 11
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Branciforte Branch Library
 
More info 
 
April Seasonal Crafts for Kids
 
Celebrate the season by making 
driftwood glass bead windchimes,
nature pinch pots, and flower bookmarks.
 
Tuesday, April 14
3:30-5:00pm
Downtown Branch Library
 
More info
 Jr Rangers

Join us for a collaboration between California State Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries! 7 to 12-year-olds can earn Junior Ranger badges & stamps. April's program is about the web of life.
 
Thursday, April 16
4:00 -5:00pm
Garfield Park Branch Library
 
 
More info
 
Our Wild Neighbors

Learn about SPCA Santa Cruz and their mission to help animals in need
 
 
Friday, April 17
3:00 -3:30 pm
Scotts Valley Branch Library
 
More info
 
Navigating College Admissions
 
Learn about the world of college admissions, academics, and college counseling from Pacific Collegiate School's college counselor, Maiya Marshall.
 
Saturday, April 18
4:00-5:00 pm
Downtown Branch Library
 
More info

Literacy Programs
 
SCPL offers programs to help
kids with reading!
 
R.E.A.D. - Reading comprehension and instruction with a California credentialed teacher.
 
Tales to Tails - Work on reading fluency and confidence by reading to a therapy dog.
 
Check out our calendar for locations, times, and more information.
STEAM Programs
 
Check out one of our STEAM programs for kids and teens:
  • Chess
  • Lego programs
  • Make & Explore
  • Minecraft
  • Sewing, and more!
Check out our calendar for more information.
Resource Spotlight
Special Needs Collection
 
SCPL has a unique collection of books, legal manuals and DVDs that address many special needs including: Autism, ADHD, depression, ADD, Asperger's, Down Syndrome, and more. The collection is housed at the Scotts Valley Branch, but materials may be requested from any library location. Please click here to see the collection.
Educator Resources
Class visits and more
 
SCPL offers class visits (at the library or in your classroom), library card drives, and special library cards just for educators. 
Contact us to learn more about these services.
 
Visit the Parents and Teachers section of our website to see what other services we offer.
Local Websites of Interest
Check out these local organizations with programs and resources for families and educators:
  • Santa Cruz Parent - We connect families and family resources
  • Growing up in Santa Cruz - Online resources
  • KidPower - Interpersonal safety resources
  • First 5 Of Santa Cruz County - Triple P - Positive Parenting Program
  • O'Neill Sea Odyssey - OSO Goals and Curriculum
  • Museum of Art and History - Educational Resources
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium - Resources for Educators
  • Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History - For Educators

The K12 Newsletter is published monthly
 To contact the K12 team, email us at k12@santacruzpl.org