aptos library

African Dance comes to Aptos Library in June

June 5, 2018 by Seb Frey

The Diaspora Performance Project supports our community of Artists of the African Diaspora and provides opportunity for the development of new work, deep and meaningful connection to our community, and performances. All ages are welcome to these interactive and inspiring workshops. This program is made possible by the Tannery World Dance + Cultural Center.

Mandjou Koné: West African Dance

Workshop for all ages Saturday, June 9th at 2 p.m. at the Aptos Library. As a young girl Mandjou helped her Griot father keep his band alive by singing, dancing and playing instruments like the Djembe, Bala, Dundun, Kora and Tama. She is a popular dance educator and has been teaching and performing over the past twenty years throughout the US.

Nano Loubayi: Congolese African Dance

Workshop for all ages Saturday, June 30th at 2p.m. at the Aptos Library. Promoting Congolese dance is the focus of Nano Loubayi, dance teacher, choreographer and director of Bitezo Bia Kongo, his Congolese African dance company. Loubayi lives in Santa Cruz, California, frequently teaching traditional Congolese dance.

These events are part of the Santa Cruz Public libraries Summer Reading Program, Reading Takes You Everywhere. A reading and activities program for all ages. To register, visit santacruzpl.org/srp/.

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Blood Drive at Aptos Library on April 14th

March 29, 2018 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz Public Library System (SCPL) has created a new partnership with the Stanford Blood Center (SBC) and will host a blood drive with the Center’s Bloodmobile in the parking lot of the Aptos Library on Saturday April 14^th from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. Needs blood. SBC is a leader in the fields of transfusion and transplantation medicine who encourage first time donors to become real-life heroes through mobile blood drives, education and partnerships. Library Director Susan Nemitz says, “When you give blood, you give life. This is a wonderful way to connect with our community and become everyday heroes.”

SBC supplies blood products, testing, and transplant matching services to several Bay Area hospitals, including those in Santa Cruz. Many County residents also travel to SBC to use their services. Help those in need of blood in our community by becoming a donor.

The Blood Drive takes place at the Aptos Library, 7695 Soquel Dr. in the parking lot. The Bloodmobile will be there from10:00am until 3:00pm. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit sbcdonor.org and use sponsor code 2557. Or call 650-723-7831.

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Update on Our Community Reads

February 19, 2018 by Seb Frey

Aptos is well known for being a beautiful place to live. Home to the “World’s Shortest Parade,” stunning coast and redwoods, Aptos is a special place to all who live and visit here.

Recently a rumor has been circulating that Aptos is being considered for “Reading Town USA.” We know our library is enormously popular, and the recent project, “Our Community Reads” has been widely embraced by the community. The events have been diverse in nature, packed attendance, and everyone is reading Trevor Noah’s, “Born A Crime.” Almost 70 people attended the kick-off film, “You Laugh but It’s True.”

County Supervisor Zach Friend was the emcee for a lively trivia night and they had Dr. Enrique Buelna, a Cabrillo College History Professor lead a great discussion with a big crowd at the high school….to name only a few of the recent Our Community Reads events.

Fortunately there are some remaining events left and it’s not too late to join in!

Upcoming Our Community Reads Events

This week on February 21st they will start the Speaker series featuring Dr. Cath Byrne: “Trevor was born a crime, I was not: reflections growing up under apartheid.” – Rio Sands Community Room, 116 Aptos Beach Drive, 6:30-8:30pm.

February 24th, Speaker Series, Reverend Deborah Johnson – “Making Sense of Racial Nonsense” at Inner Light Ministries, 5630 Soquel Drive, 3:00-4:30pm.

February 27th, Hidden Gems Film Club Series presents “The Color of Friendship” at the Aptos Library. Educator and Santa Cruz Superintendent of Schools, Michael Watkins will introduce the film and lead a discussion. 6:30-8:30pm at the Aptos Library.

March 1st – Poetry Slam and Art exhibit at Aptos High School, 100 Mariner Way, Aptos High Library Upper Campus. 6-8pm.

March 6th – Speaker Series features Dr. Tyler Stovall: “White Freedom: The Racial History of an Idea.” Rio Sands Community Room, 116 Aptos Beach Drive. Doors open at 6pm. Event is 6:30-8:30pm.

For more information and details about ALL the events go to:
http://www.friendsofaptoslibrary.org/

e-mail: friendsoftheaptoslibrary@fscpl.org

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Shop Deluxe Foods and Support the Aptos Public Library

October 24, 2017 by Seb Frey

Friends of the Aptos Library / Our Community Reads

Deluxe Foods of Aptos is participating in a “Shopping Program Partnership” to raise money and awareness for the Friends of the Aptos Library.

For each dollar spent at Deluxe Foods, they will donate 5% to support the many activities and good works that the Friends provide to the community and to our district’s schools. All you have to do is mention the Aptos Friends to the cashier and they will take care of the rest.

The Aptos Friends support the library in many ways including summer reading programs, an early learning computer, and monthly book sales.

Recently the Friends purchased an outdoor book drop for the Aptos Library to make it easier to return books. Stop by and take a look at the water-wise garden that was just installed through their efforts. In December they will be introducing a new program called, “Our Community Reads” that will create a shared experience through a single book. They are planning several community events developed around the themes from the book to be held in February and March.

For information about these and other projects contact: friendsoftheaptoslibrary@fscpl.org.

Find out more about this and other projects of the Friends of the Aptos Library on their website: www.friendsofaptoslibrary.org

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Aptos Library Book Sale February 18

February 15, 2017 by Seb Frey

Come on down and check out the Aptos Library Book Sale February 18! Explore their wide ranging collection of tomes from fiction and children’s books, audiobooks and CDs. Their non-fiction offerings include a rainbow of subjects from A-Z: cookbooks, gardening, health & personal development, poetry, and travel among a wide variety of other subject subjects. Hardbacks will be sold for $2 and paperbacks for $1.

The sale is organized by the The Aptos Chapter of Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (Aptos FSCPL). Aptos FSCPL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Aptos branch of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, and all proceeds from the sale will go to support the Aptos Library and their various programs.

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SCPL on the Go Workshop at the Aptos Library

October 18, 2016 by Seb Frey

Did you know that the Santa Cruz Public Library System has a mobile app – so you can check out materials, digitally, from the comfort of your own home and mobile device?

Learn how to get the most out of the library’s mobile app, SCPL on the Go at a “Pop-Up Workshop” to be held on Friday, October 21st at the Aptos Library, from 11 AM until 12 PM. This Pop-Up Workshop will help you download the app to your smartphone, teach you to get the most out of our app’s great features, and help you download all the ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and more available using the app.

If you are unable to make the Aptos workshop, you can visit the Boulder Creek Library on Friday, October 28th from 11am until 12pm to catch another workshop. More Pop-Ups on SCPL on the Go are scheduled for other branch libraries in November & December, announcements will be forthcoming.

Aptos Library Annual Kids Chess Tournament Returns

May 17, 2016 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz Public Library System (SCPL), a network of 10 neighborhood library branches throughout Santa Cruz County, today announced the return of its annual kids’ chess tournament at the Aptos Library, its 14th Annual Tournament.

The tournament will be held on Saturday, May 28 from 12:00-4:00p.m. Children between the ages of 6-18 years old are invited to participate. The tournament is free to enter, but preregistration is requested. Visit or call the Aptos Branch Library at 831-427-7702 to register.

Chess is an excellent teaching and learning tool for kids. It promotes thinking strategically and foreseeing consequences, understanding lines and angles, and decision-making skills. Library Director Janis O’Driscoll says, “This annual tournament is a great way for all the kids who have improved their skills during the year to celebrate and have some good-hearted competition.”

Aptos Library resident chess master Dana MacKenzie, who teaches the library’s weekly chess club on Tuesdays, organizes the tournament each year. Participant check-in will take place from 12-12:30 p.m. Game rounds will be held at 1:00p.m., 2:00p.m., and 3:00p.m., with an awards ceremony at 4:00p.m. Light snacks will be provided by the Friends of the Aptos Library.

Weekly chess clubs for kids ages 6-18 are held at the Aptos Library Tuesdays 3:30-4:30p.m. Weekly chess clubs are also held at the Downtown Library every Saturdayexcept the 1^st Saturday of the month from 2:00-3:30p.m. The Downtown Chess Club is led by Chess Master Gjon Feinstein.

Libraries Measure S Presentation

May 11, 2016 by Seb Frey

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 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.

Measure S and the Aptos Public Library

March 20, 2016 by Seb Frey

It’s time to show some love for our libraries! This year, Santa Cruz county voters will be asked to vote on Measure S, which will raise $67 million to renovate our public library system. The Aptos Public Library is the 2nd most-used library in the system, after the downtown Santa Cruz city branch. The Measure S bonds would be repaid by an annual flat tax of $49.50 for the typical homeowner. Measure S will need 67% approval to pass.

The Aptos Public Library is slated for 3,000 square feet of additional space. Functionally, the current space is inadequate for both the nuts and bolts of operating a busy branch. Friends of the Aptos Library feel that it is unable to meet the current and future demand for programs, and it is not well-laid out by contemporary library standards (e.g. separate spaces for teens, small children, adults, etc).

ACTUAL WORDING FOR THE LIBRARY BALLOT MEASURE

To modernize, upgrade and repair local libraries in Santa Cruz, Aptos, Live Oak, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek, Capitola, Felton and La Selva Beach — replace failing roofs, outdated bathrooms, electrical systems/ structurally damaged facilities; support growing use by children, seniors, veterans and others; expand access to modern technology; and construct/ expand facilities where necessary; shall Santa Cruz Libraries Facilities Financing Authority issue $67,000,000 in bonds for Santa Cruz Libraries Facilities Financing Authority Community Facilities District No. 2016-1; levy a special tax annually on parcels within the Community Facilities District; establish an initial appropriations limit; and assure mandatory accountability.

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The “Santa Cruz Libraries Facilities Financing Authority Community Facilities District No. 2016-1” is a newly created district that includes all voters in the cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola and Scotts Valley and unincorporated Santa Cruz County.

Contact Info

Friends of the Aptos Library:

Diana L. Mejia (dmejia916@gmail.com),
Dianna A. Hayden (dianaahayden@comcast.net)

See also: Measure S Facebook Page, Measure S Web Page

Aptos Library to host Free Class on Book Publishing

March 7, 2016 by Seb Frey

Book Publishing Class at the Aptos Library — Book Publishing at the Library

The Aptos Library will host a free class on book publishing this month! The Santa Cruz Public Library System has announced it will host a free class about book publishing, led by Laurie Gibson on March 14th from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.

The class is called Book Publishing 1-2-3 and is packed with stories and tips. This lively, popular class will feature a glimpse of today’s dynamic book business – including traditional, electronic, and self-publishing, as well as ideas for finding literary agents and editors, and suggestions for improving craft and connecting with readers. The class will also offer writing prompts, a four-page handout, and time for Q&A.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries support literary artists with a number of writing programs, including Community Poetry Circles, the Aptos Writing Club, and Voces Latinas. Library Director Janis O’Driscoll says “We have a talented community of authors in Santa Cruz, and supporting their work is an important role for the library.”

Presenter Laurie Gibson is an editor who has served more than 150 first-time authors and also edited/proofread 250+ books for numerous publishers, including the 2003 edition of The Color Purple. She has edited the writing of former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz and success guru Brian Tracy. For nearly a decade, Laurie also taught editing for the Extension programs of both UCSD and UCLA.

If you are unable to make the class in Aptos on March 14, the class will be offered again in May at the Scotts Valley Library.

CONTACT:
Santa Cruz Public Libraries Programs Dept.
831-427-7717
pro@santacruzpl.org