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Aptos Library Book Sale February 18

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Aptos Library Book Sale

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

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SCPL On the Go
SCPL On the Go

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

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Chess Tournament
Kids Chess Tournament at the Aptos Library

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 1st 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

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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

Measure S and the Aptos Public Library

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Santa Cruz Measure S
Santa Cruz Measure S

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

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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

Aptos Library Book Sale

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Aptos Library Book Sale
Aptos Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Aptos Library are having a book sale on Saturday, January 16th from 11 AM until 3 PM at the Aptos Library. Soft cover books are just $1, and hardcovers are only two bucks! Just like in the good old days, sales are cash only. The proceeds from the sale will go to support the Aptos Library Garden Project. You may contact the Friends of the Aptos Library regarding the book sale or the Garden project at friendsoftheaptoslibrary@gmail.com

Museum of Discovery at Aptos Library on May 21

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Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery
Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery

The Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery is coming to the Aptos Library! Museum staff member Alicia Bierstedt will be leading fun and educational activities on Thursday, May 21 from 3:30-4:40 PM. Activities will be related to bees, and also making chromatography flowers. All are welcome to attend, and the event is free!

Chromatography is the separation of chemicals in a mixture, and Chromatography Flowers are a beautiful example of this technique! This should be a very educational and fun event for kids, and it’s one you’re sure not to want to miss.

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.

See also:

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.