aptos library

Our Community Reads Begins its Third Year

September 29, 2019 by Seb Frey

Friends of the Aptos Library / Our Community Reads

Friends of the Aptos Library is pleased to announce that their very successful “Our Community Reads” (“OCR”) program is returning for its third year!

The ballots were cast and the public will soon learn which of five nominated books will be the featured title for the 2020 Our Community Reads (OCR) season. On September 26th, 50 members of the community came from La Selva, Aptos and Capitola to choose the winner. The voting event was hosted by the Friends of the Aptos Library at the Aptos Branch.

Books under consideration are: Map of Salt and Stars, by Zeyn Joukhadar, Patriot Number One by Lauren Hilgers, Isaac’s Storm, by Erik Larson, Earthquake Storms, by John C. Dvorak, and lastly Change Comes to Dinner, by Katherine Gustafson. Each one of these books tells a fascinating story, and each in its own way would be relevant to us here in the Central Coast. We encourage everyone to read them all!

The idea behind “OCR” is to foster community by having as many people at one time reading the same book. The Friends host a series of events free and open to the public to offer our residents the opportunity to gather and share ideas around related themes from the book. Last year a total of 16 events, with something for everyone, brought the community together over a span of almost 9 weeks as we delved into the themes of The Death and Life of Monterey Bay: A Story of Revival. Partnerships with several organizations such as Save Our Shores, and the Elkorn Slough Foundation along with participation from Cabrillo College and Aptos High School made this possible. La Selva Beach Friends of the Library hosted a panel of five scientists for a lively and informative discussion.

This year the Friends of the Capitola Library will join the Aptos Friends in sponsoring events that will begin late January and run approximately 6 weeks. We look forward to meeting members of our community through this interactive and exciting program. Visit the Friends of the Aptos Library web site to learn more.

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Legally Speaking Series Offered at Santa Cruz Libraries

January 9, 2019 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz Public Library System (SCPL) has partnered with the Santa Cruz County Bar Association to offer a free monthly series of discussions with Q & A on various legal and financial life event topics.

The new series, titled Legally Speaking, answers questions about the most frequently experienced legal issues faced by people in our community. These discussions will take place at various locations throughout the county. The first event, covering immigration law, will be held at the Downtown Library on January 24^th from 6-7 p.m.

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Led by Jeraline Singh Edwards, Esq, this presentation will encompass “Know your Rights,” immigration law fundamental principles, such ways to become a U.S. citizen, main categories of immigrant, ways to get a green card, process of naturalization, and the “Do’s and Don’ts” of immigration law. Most importantly, we will discuss the truths and myths about current immigration law and policies. Jeraline is a Professor at Monterey College of Law teaching Immigration Law Clinic. She is a Seaside Rotary Club Board member, Del Monte Manor Board Member, and a member of Monterey County and Santa Cruz Bar Association and American Immigration Lawyers Association.

According to Library Director Susan Nemitz, “Navigating legal and financial life events can be overwhelming. Getting a good overview and having a professional answer questions can significantly reduce this stress.” Nemitz also indicated that the series is a result of a 2018 SCPL Innovation Grant. These small internal grants “…encouraged staff at all levels to look to their own passions, and to try something new to meet the needs of the community.” The new series will serve as a pilot to help determine which additional topics and formats will benefit the community.

Other events in the series include:

Thursday, Feb 14, 2019: Estate Planning with Emily Buchbinder at the Aptos Library
Thursday, Mar 14, 2019 Elder Law and Abuse with Anna Penrose at the Downtown Library
Thursday, Apr 11, 2019 Coastal Access with Gary Redenbacher at the Scotts Valley Library
Thursday, May 9, 2019 Labor Law with Gretchen Reganhardt & Lizett Rodriguez (CRLA) at the Downtown Library

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Experience Winter Magic at the Aptos Library

December 12, 2018 by Seb Frey

Experience winter magic at the Aptos Library! Renowned magician Mike Della Penna is coming to the Aptos Library on Saturday, December 15th 2018 at 3 PM to share is unique and zany magic with children of all ages in the Aptos Community.

Mike Della Penna has been awarded the “Parent’s Press Best of East Bay” for three years running: 2015, 2016, and 2017. He is known for captivating the 3-to-7-year-old crowd with his laughter-filled, participatory magic shows. In a former life he was a stand-up comedian in Boston for 20 years, before returning to his boyhood love for magic in 2004 when he moved to the Bay Area.

Come out and meet with your fellow Aptosians this weekend at the Library! Put away the screens and have some good old fashioned magical fun.

Can’t make it to the 3 PM show? Good news – he will also be appearing that same day at other Santa Cruz Public Libraries on that same date:

Saturday • December 15th
10:00am – 11:00am
Downtown Library • 224 Church St.

Saturday • December 15th
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Scotts Valley Library •251 Kings Village Rd.

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Support the Aptos Library when Shopping Deluxe

August 30, 2018 by Seb Frey

Attention all you Deluxe Foods Shoppers! Congratulations, here’s another good reason Deluxe earns your patronage. The good folks there have agreed to donate a percentage (we hear it’s 10%!) of all the food you purchase to the Friends of the Aptos Library.

Care to participate? It’s easy! Just remember to say “APTOS LIBRARY” before you check out at Deluxe Foods. If you do that, the cashier will record your purchase and credit this unique fundraising effort.

All the funds raised will be used to support the 2019 Community Reads program. The goal of the program is to create a shared experience by having members of the entire Santa Cruz community – from teens to adults – all reading the same book. Funds raised will later be used for the capital campaign for the remodel of the library, blending with funds from Measure S.

The book for 2019 Community Reads has not been chosen yet, and members of the community are encourage to make suggestions by writing to friendsoftheaptoslibrary@fscpl.org. Nominated books will be voted on at an event on September 5th.

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Free Mindfulness Classes at Aptos Public Library

August 26, 2018 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz Public Library System (SCPL) has announced a six session Intro to Mindfulness course at the Aptos Public Library. The series of classes is scheduled to begin in September and run through October of this year.

Mindfulness is the psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment, which can be developed through the practice of meditation and other training.

Put another way, it is:

…the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Instructor Sue Doherty (anthropologist, author, and mindfulness teacher) will introduce the student to the practice of mindfulness in daily life. These sessions are informed by theories and practices that draw from contemplative traditions and the disciplines of medicine, psychology, and education.

Each class will be held from 7:00p-8:00p

Wednesdays in September: 9/12, 9/19 & 9/26
Wednesdays in October: 10/3, 10/10 & 10/17

Please note that this course is offered at no cost, with no registration required, and drop-ins are welcome. Folks are encouraged to join the class for a single session or all six sessions.

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Library Books and Media now Fine-Free for Kids

August 22, 2018 by Seb Frey

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) is celebrating 150 years of library service by giving the gift of reading to every child and teen in the county. Starting on September 10^th, 2018 all children’s and teen’s books and media will become fine-free.

It is well documented that access to a library improves student success. According to Heather Norquist, SCPL’s East Region Manager who leads the K-12 Outreach Team, “We have been working on a variety of ways to improve children’s and teen’s access to the reading materials and learning tools they need to succeed in life. We have brought together a team of Librarians to focus on K-12 outreach to strengthen our connections with county schools. We have purchased subscriptions for digital eBooks accessible to school libraries. These are several approaches that help us further our goal to have every child in Santa Cruz County receive a library card.”

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One way to improve children’s access to library materials is to remove the burden of overdue fees. Library Director Susan Nemitz says, “We weighed what was more important to our mission, collecting these fees or improving access for children. As we reflect on the important changes in library services over the last 150 years, we felt that this was an appropriate change for a 21^st century library.”

The fine-free status only applies to children’s and teen’s materials – not accounts. Adult materials will continue to generate overdue fees even if checked out on a child’s card. Individuals will continue to be responsible for damaged and lost items — children’s, teen’s and adult. After a one-time amnesty removal of account charges relating to children’s and teen’s materials that will occur on September 9^th, everyone should be starting with a clean slate. Children’s and teen’s materials go fine-free on September 10^th.

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If overdue fees have prevented your child from getting a card or reading more books, now is the time to visit your library. Apply for your free card today and stop by any branch on September 10^th to make your own sesquicentennial party hat!

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

Like Our Community Reads on Facebook

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Shop Deluxe Foods and Support the Aptos Public Library

October 24, 2017 by Seb Frey

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