The Word from the Friends:

We are delighted to report that we were able to exceed our goal to complete the $300,000 campaign for the renovation of three of our favorite smaller library branches – Boulder Creek, La Selva Beach, and Garfield Park. The locations of these three unique branches showcase the breadth of the character of Santa Cruz County neighborhoods – from the mountains to the sea, and rural communities to downtown. What all three share is their critical importance to the communities they serve.

Thank you so much for all who donated and helped us meet our goal! We are so thankful to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation for generously supporting this ambitious capital project campaign with an amazing 1:1 match! Because of their help and yours, we were able to stay on schedule, always have several fully functioning branches, even as some branches are closed for construction, and make the most of Measure S funds that we received. Stay tuned for more information on all the projects in our amazing library system, which is here to Transform Lives and Strengthen Communities.
Chapter Updates
Aptos

OCR 2021 which features The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai kicked off on January 28th and is scheduled to run through March 4th.  Registration is required for all events and is available through the SCPL website. The schedule of events is available on the friendsofaptoslibrary.org website. All events will be virtual this year so participation from home is convenient and easy! This programming is the main focus for the Aptos Friends the next two months.

The new Aptos library is on schedule with construction expected in the second half of 2021 after the opening of Capitola and La Selva Beach branches. 
Capitola

There's good news on the horizon for the new Capitola Library. Construction is reaching a crescendo . . . as in, it's about 90% complete! Steve Jesberg, the public works director for the City of Capitola, is now estimating that the building will be finished and ready to hand over to the library around the end of March. The library staff will then need another six or eight weeks to turn this beautiful public space into a functioning library, a wonderful asset for the community.
Felton

Dear Felton Library,

Happy Birthday!

One year ago, on February 22, over 2,000 people attended the magical opening of the long-awaited community treasure. Just as library lovers were discovering the many ways to enjoy you, your doors were closed. Flash forward one year later and we are grateful for the Grab and Go system that has allowed us to check out books, as well as the creative on-line offerings from the library staff. We eagerly look forward to children’s story time, browsing the collection, conversations in the courtyard, programs in the community room, teen activities, reading by the fireplace, community art, and so much more.

So, Happy First Year Birthday - we look forward to getting to know you.
La Selva Beach

At long last, the LSB Chapter is so excited to have their branch re-open in March!

Along with Measure S Funds, La Selva Beach successful fundraised to match the Monterey Peninsula Foundation grant to allow for fabulous new improvements to the 2,200 square foot branch. The new library will have a renovated patio with space for programs, a folding glass Nanawall that will allow for flexible use, a new HVAC system, new energy efficient windows, two ADA compatible entrances and much more. Friends of La Selva Beach Library are incredibly grateful to all of the donors who supported this transformation. The Friends hope many Santa Cruz County residents will swing by after re- opening to see as much of the building as pandemic restrictions will allow. More details to come.
Scotts Valley

The Friends of Scotts Valley is excited for their upcoming meeting on Wed. Feb. 10 at 6:30PM. This will include an update from SCPL's director as well as an update on the planned improvements to the Scotts Valley branch by city council member Jim Reed. 
Remembering Jory Post
The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries mourns the loss of local writer, Jory Post, who died on January 16, 2021. Jory was a well-known educator and community advocate for writers and the writing life. Santa Cruz Writes, Phren-Z, the Catamaran Literary Reader, and Zoom Forward! are forever associated with him, but the Friends' warmest memories are of the wildly successful 2013 Grapes of Wrath Big Read Project. Jory wrote the National Endowment for the Arts grant that funded it, formed and led the team that carried it out, and inspired us to create experiences that amazed even us. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Karen, his family, his friends, and all the writers who were touched by his work.

A memorial for Jory will be held as part of the Zoom Forward! reading series at 5PM on February 5th, this coming Friday. Sign up for this meeting via this link.
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