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Libraries Measure S Presentation

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Janice O’Driscoll, the interim director of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL), and Kate Canlis, Vice President of Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, made a presentation last week at the Capitola-Aptos Rotary Club to discuss the state of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and Ballot Measure S, a $67 million bond measure to improve the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

Ms. O’Driscoll began with some background on the Santa Cruz Public library system. She noted that it has 10 branches, a bookmobile and a virtual services branch. It serves 219,000 people in northern Santa Cruz County from past Davenport down to the border of Freedom (Watsonville is not part of the SCPL system). The system handles 2 million circulations per year including “hard” books, e-books and downloaded video. They have 223,000 titles in their collections (including electronic or virtual items). In addition, they also provide 2300 programs a year for people of all ages. Programs vary including helping seniors learn to use iPads and kids learning to play chess.

Santa Cruz Measure S
Santa Cruz Measure S is on the June Ballot

Ms. O’Driscoll stated that the Library has signed a contract for a faster broadband Internet connection, which will go into effect the first part of July. This will necessitate that each branch be rewired and accommodate the faster service. They serve families and individuals who can’t afford Internet access (or a computer) at home. Their goal is to bring everyone in the county into the 21st century.

Kate Canlis spoke specifically about Measure S, which will pay for the upgraded wiring and many other renovations and improvements. These will include new roofs, story-telling space for kids, book clubs for adults, science programs, new bathrooms and a new building in Felton. Capitola also needs a new building which will be partially funded by redevelopment money.

Measure S will be on the ballot in June and will add $49.50 to property taxes per residential parcel, for a span of 30 years. The measure will require 2/3rds voter approval to pass, so strong community support will be needed if the measure is to be successful.

See also: OurLibrariesOurFuture.org, KSBW News Story about Measure S

Friends of the Aptos Library Seek Community Support

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Aptos Public Library
Aptos Public Library

There’s a new Aptos chapter of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. The new group, Friends of the Aptos Library, advocates for the Aptos library and supports children’s literacy programs, book and media purchases, concerts, author talks, community reading programs, technical and facilities upgrades, and more. The new chapter joins four existing chapters in Boulder Creek, Felton, La Selva Beach and Scotts Valley.

The Friends of Aptos Library chapter first met in October and has met twice more since then, with over 30 people expressing interest in working with the group. The chapter formed in response to the need to provide additional support for the Aptos branch, which is one of the most-used libraries in Santa Cruz county.

Annette D’Adamo, the first board president for Friends of the Aptos Library and a 20-year Seacliff resident, is quoted as saying:

We’re interested in learning more about the needs of our community, which will influence what the vision is for Friends of Aptos Library.

Annette sat down at the Aptos Library for a brief interview, to talk about the new group, and how the community can get involved. A recording of the interview is available here:

Interview with Annette D’Adamo

In the interview, a number of topics were addressed, including the bond measure on the ballot for 2015 to update, enhance, and modernize a number of libraries in the Santa Cruz system, including especially the Aptos branch.

If you are interested in joining the Friends of the Aptos Library (they’re looking for board members), volunteering, advocating for the bond measure, or in making a donation, please contact them via email at friendsoftheaptoslibrary@gmail.com. The group normally meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM in the community room at the Aptos Public Library. The next meeting of the group though is the 2nd Thursday of January, because the 1st is New Year’s Day. If you’re interested, please come to the meeting on January 8th 2015 at the Aptos Library.

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Free Family Movie Matinee at the Aptos Public Library

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Aptos Library Movie Maintee
First Friday Movie Matinee at the Aptos Public Library

Did you know that there is a free family movie matinee at the Aptos Public Library? Yep, it’s true: the free matinee is held the first Friday of every month in the community meeting room, just to the right as you come in the front door. This month the movie is held today, December 5 at 3:00 PM, and they are showing Chicken Little.

This month, they are also having a special showing of the Muppet Christmas Carol. This will be in two weeks, on Friday, December 19. Don’t worry about not finding space – the meeting room holds nearly 70 people, and a good turnout at the movie would be about 20 folks in attendance. Here’s a great chance to get out of your house and watch a movie with your kids and friends from the Aptos community.