K-12 Newsletter June 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! In this month's newsletter:
 
Summer Reading Program- Starts today!
Pride Month
Juneteenth
Library Programs, Resources, and More!
 



 
The Summer Reading Program Starts Today!
 
June 1st - July 31st
This year our theme is "Color Our World." 
The program is for ALL ages. Sign up and read to earn great prizes and enjoy library programs and performances.
Learn more here
 
Download the Summer Reading Events Brochure: English, Spanish
 
Download the Paper Reading Log
or use the digital Beanstack app
 
Decorate a Book Bag 
 Kick off summer by signing up for Summer Reading and decorating your own book bag! All supplies provided.
June 1 at 2:00 pm, Downtown Branch
More info

June is Pride Month!
Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. This month-long celebration demonstrates how LGBTQ Americans have strengthened our country, by using talent and creativity to help create awareness and goodwill. 
 
See our calendar for Pride month events.
 Resources from the Library of Congress.
 
Pride booklist for kids.
Pride booklist for teens.


 
Juneteenth - June 19th
 
On June 19, 1865 — over two years after President Lincoln declared all enslaved persons free — Major General Gordon Granger and Union Army troops marched to Galveston, Texas, to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and free the last enslaved Black Americans in Texas.
 
The Santa Cruz Juneteenth annual celebration will be held June 14th at Laurel Park
 
Smithsonian Institution -
Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
Featured Programs - Summer Reading

Summer Reading Performances
Look for special activities and performances for kids and families at all of our branches this summer.
Featured in June:
Village Rhythms
Cascada De Flores
Jungle James Animal Adventures
Happy Birds
Tom Noddy
Aguacate Music Kids
Perry Yan Magic
NorCal Bats
 
Check our Calendar for dates and times.
Summer Reading Crafts
Rock Painting
 June 7 - Aptos, 1:00 pm
June 10 - Capitola, 2:00 pm
June 17 - Downtown, 1:00 pm
Paint a Book Bag
June 1 - Downtown, 2:00 pm
June 4 - Live Oak, 1:30 pm
June 4 - Garfield Pak, 3:00 pm
June 4-Boulder Creek, 1:30pm
June 5 - Felton, 3:00 pm
June 5 - La Selva Beach, 3:30p 
June 24 - Capitola, 2:00 pm 
Woven Bookmarks
June 10 - Downtown, 12:30 pm
June 11-Boulder Creek, 1:30 pm
Super T-Shirt Capes
June 10 - Scotts Valley, 3:00pm
June 25 - Garfield Park, 3:00pm
Techniques in Printmaking
June 11 - Garfield Park, 3:00 pm
June 12 - Felton, 3:00 pm
June 26 - La Selva Beach, 3:30 pm
Ping Pong Ball Lanterns
June 17 - Capitola, 2:00 pm
June 24 - Downtown, 12:30 pm
 
Stamp Making
June 18 - Live Oak, 1:30 pm
Crochet Races
June 18 - Garfield Park, 3:00pm
Hanging Yarn Art

June 12 - La Selva Beach,3:30pm  
June 18 -Boulder Creek, 1:30pm
Accordian Fans on Watercolor Paper
June 24 - Scotts Valley, 3:00 pm
Perler Bead Art
June 25 -Boulder Creek, 1:30pm
Need More Details?

Check our Calendar!

Youth Programs
 
Most regular youth programs will continue this summer
Storytimes, Make & Explore, Chess, Tales to Tails, R.E.A.D., Lego, STEAM, Crafting programs, Advisory Council of Teens and much more will take place during regularly scheduled times through June and July.
 
Check our Calendar for a full list of youth programs
Educator Resources
 2025 ALSC Summer Reading Lists
 
Keep kids reading over the summer with this book list from the Association for Library Service to Children's Summer Reading List
Resource Spotlight
Download/Stream
 
Did you know that you can download ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies and music using your library card?  It's free!
 
Learn more here.
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