K-12 Newsletter April 2025
 
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 6 - 12
Earth Day - April 22
Meet Me Downtown - April 26
Library Programs, Resources, and More!
National Poetry Month
 
National Poetry Month celebrates poets and poetry's integral role in our culture.
Local Poetry Month Events:
  • Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate Celebration - April 17th at Cabrillo College
  • Teen Poetry Workshop: Tinkering with the Tarot Alongside Madeline Aliah - April 12th Felton Branch Library
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 6-12
 
Movie Screening: Free For All: The Public
Library tells the story of public libraries. Meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free and the doors are open to all. 
 
Branciforte Library
April 5, 2:00-4:00 pm
Capitola Library
April 10, 6:30-8:30 pm
Scotts Valley Library 
April 12, 1:00-3:00 pm
Celebrate Earth Day! 
 
Celebrate Earth Day with SCPL on April 19 at Downtown Santa Cruz (Pacific Avenue, Cooper Street, and Abbott Square Market). Visit the Library's booth!
 
Check out our Earth Day Booklist!

Meet Me at the New Downtown Library Festival

Experience the future Downtown Library through an exciting and immersive preview. The preview includes large-scale renderings of the new library’s rooms, live music, food trucks, and fun! 
 
April 26 1-4
Corner of Cedar and Lincoln Streets
FREE!
 
More info
Featured Programs
  
STEM Explorers: Build Your Own Computer!
 
Kids ages 8-12 will learn the basics of computer engineering and coding in this exciting hands-on six-week series. Registration required.
  
 
Tuesdays 3:00-5:00pm
April 2-May 7
Capitola Branch Library
 
More info
LEGO Robotics
 
Explore robotics using LEGO Spike Prime! In this six-week series, students will create increasingly complex machines while learning engineering and programming skills. Registration required.
 
Thursdays 3:30-5:00pm
April 3-May 15
Boulder Creek Branch Library
 
More info 
 
Family Movie Matinee with California Film and Cultural Center
 
This free Family Movie Matinee happens every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
This month's movie is: The Neverending Story
Rated: PG. Run-time: 1 hr. 42 min.
 
Wednesday April 16th
3:00-6:00pm
Felton Branch Library
 
More info
 
JR Rangers for Families

Join us for a collaboration between California State Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries! Participating 7-12 year olds can earn Junior Ranger badges & stamps. April's program is about migratory birds
 
Thursday, April 17th 
4:00 -5:00pm
Garfield Park Branch Library
 
 
More info
 
 
3D Printing Design Club

Teens! Are you interested in creating your own 3D printed designs? Learn the art of 3D designing and printing. Limited library laptops available, please bring your own laptop if possible.
 
Saturday April 26th
10:00-11:30am
Scotts Valley Branch Library
 
More info
 
NEW! 
Advisory Council of Teens (ACT) @ Downtown
 
Join the SCPL young adult advisory group for ages 12-18. Have a say in services, programs and events that are designed for young adults. 
 
Every second Sunday
2:00-4:00pm
Downtown Branch Library
More info

 
SAGA for Teens @ Felton
 
Join us for our Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) for Teens group. SAGA is a welcoming, safe, and inclusive space for teens of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
 
Every second Wednesday
3:00-5:00pm
Felton Branch Library
 
More info

Literacy Programs
 
SCPL offers programs to help
kids with reading.
  • R.E.A.D. - Reading comprehension and instruction with a  credentialed teacher
  • Tales to Tails - Read to a service 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 
OR
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 - not just for preschoolers 
  • 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
on the first Thursday of the month.
 To contact the K12 team, email us at k12@santacruzpl.org