Santa Cruz Parent

Tales 2 Tails Aptos
2025-06-04 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-06-11 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-06-18 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-06-25 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-07-02 15:30 - 16:30, 2025-07-09 15:30 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Aptos Public Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Tales 2 Tails Aptos
Wednesdays 3:30 – 4:30 through July 9
Trained therapy dogs will be available at the Library to be attentive reading partners for children reading aloud.
Child must be 6-17 years old, and already reading to some degree.
Our volunteer handlers are there to provide support but are not trained reading instructors.
Appointments are required, please contact 831-427-7713 to make yours now.
If you have questions, e-mail rammerr@santacruzpl.org
Please Call 831-427-7713 to register. https://loom.ly/SkbcHxE

Jungle James Animal Adventures Branciforte
2025-06-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Branciforte Library, 250 Gault St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
Jungle James Animal Adventures
Friday, June 6, Branciforte 11am; La Selva Beach 1:30pm; Boulder Creek 4:30pm
Meet Jungle James and a variety of creatures, including amphibians, insects, and reptiles! Jungle James Animal Adventures sheds new light on some of the world’s most commonly misunderstood creatures, evokes children’s natural sense of curiosity, and teaches respect for all living things.

Bring Your Own Book (BYOB)
2025-06-06 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-13 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-20 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-06-27 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-07-04 11:00 - 12:30 | Aptos Public Library, 7695 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA, 95003, United States
Bring Your Own Book (BYOB)
3rd Fridays, 11am – 12:30pm, March 15 – December 20
Join us at the Aptos Branch Library for an engaging and dynamic book group experience: Bring Your Own Book (BYOB).
This innovative program encourages participants to bring along a book of their choice and share their thoughts, insights, and perspectives with fellow readers. Whether you’re passionate about fiction, non-fiction, classics, or contemporary literature, BYOB Book Group welcomes all genres and interests.
https://santacruzpl.libcal.com/event/12055882
How It Works:

Choose Your Book: Select a book that you’ve recently read or have been wanting to discuss. It could be a novel, biography, memoir, poetry collection, or any other genre that interests you.
Bring Your Book: Arrive at the library with your chosen book in hand. Make sure it’s one you’re eager to share and discuss with others.
Engage in Discussion: Once everyone has gathered, participants will take turns sharing their thoughts on their chosen books. This could include favorite passages, character analysis, thematic elements, personal connections, and more.
Respectful Exchange: Engage in respectful and open-minded discussions with fellow participants. Share your perspectives while also listening attentively to others’ viewpoints. This is a space for lively literary dialogue and exchange of ideas.
Discover New Reads: Explore a diverse range of books and genres through the recommendations and discussions of fellow participants. You might just find your next favorite read!

Whether you’re a voracious reader or just starting to delve into the world of books, Bring Your Own Book (BYOB) Book Group offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for lively literary discussions and discovery. Join us at the library and let’s celebrate the joy of reading together!

Jungle James Animal Adventures La Selva Beach
2025-06-06 13:30 - 14:30 | La Selva Beach Library, 316 Estrella Avenue, La Selva Beach, CA, 95076, United States

Jungle James Animal Adventures Boulder Creek
2025-06-06 16:30 - 17:30 | Boulder Creek Library, 13390 W Park Ave, Boulder Creek, CA, United States

Finances for Teens
2025-06-07 11:00 - 12:00 | Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA, 95066, United States
Finances for Teens
Saturday, June 7, 11am – 12pm

Are you starting a summer job and wondering how best to manage the money you’ll be earning? Do you have big questions about your financial future? Join us on Saturday, June 7th, to learn some financial fundamentals. Christopher Genetti, a local financial consultant, will be presenting the following Moneywise America course:
“Get Started: Intro to Money Basics”
The purpose of this session is for participants to gain awareness of the fundamental principles that should guide their relationship with money as they move forward in life while working towards achieving their personal goals.
Key concepts include:

Setting goals
Saving for emergencies
The 50/30/20 rule
Financial decisions regarding post-secondary education
Avoiding fees and paying interest
Taking advantage of employer matching funds
Saving and investing early to maximize the benefit of compounding

Christopher Genetti, MBA, CFP, CWS, is Vice President Corporate Financial Consultant for Nvidia HQ Corp in Santa Clara CA, and an experienced presenter on financial literacy topics for a variety of audiences.
Moneywise America is the financial literacy branch of Charles Schwab aimed at leveling the economic playing field through high-quality financial education for teens, with a focus on reaching youth in under-resourced communities and schools.

Free Sewing Workshop
2025-06-10 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-06-17 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-07-08 16:00 - 17:30 | Freedom Library, 2021 Freedom Blvd, Freedom, CA, 95019, United States
Free Sewing Workshop

2nd & 3rd Tuesdays, through December 9 & 16, 4 – 5:30pm

Free Sewing Classes – Ready to unleash your creativity and learn a new skill? Whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced sewer, our free sewing classes are for you.
Join us for a fun, hands-on experience where you can:
Learn sewing basics – no experience required.
Build your skills – Pick the project that matches your skill level.
Meet new friends – all ages and backgrounds encouraged.
Bring your own projects – get help with what you want to create.
This program will take place on the 2nd and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4-5:30pm at the Freedom Library, Creative Cafe.
All ages & skill levels welcome. These classes will be facilitated in English. https://www.watsonville.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=6307

Visit City of Watsonville

Toddler Time
2025-06-17 11:00 - 23:45, 2025-06-24 11:00 - 23:45, 2025-07-01 11:00 - 23:45, 2025-07-08 11:00 - 23:45 | Scotts Valley Library, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA, 95066, United States
Toddler Time
Tuesdays 11 – 11:45am, May 13 & 20, June 17 & 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29

Join us for a special series of Toddler Time where local community resource professionals answer your questions relating to aspects of child development.

May 13 – Music and Movement
May 20 – Nutrition
June 17 – Speech, Hearing, and Language Development
June 24 – Child Development and Play

Tuesday, July 1
Tuesday, July 8
Tuesday, July 15
Tuesday, July 22
Tuesday, July 29

Teen Anime Club
2025-06-18 16:00 - 17:00 | CA
Teen Anime Club

3rd Wednesdays, through December 17, 4pm
Looking for a community of people who appreciate anime?

During our monthly Teen Anime Club, we will explore and celebrate Japanese popular culture through cooking, craft-making and playing games.

This program will take place on the third Wednesday of every month from 4:30-5:30pm. Audience: Teens (grades 7-12)

¿Buscas una comunidad de personas que aprecien el anime? Durante nuestros programas mensuales para jóvenes, el Club de Anime explorará y celebrará la cultura popular japonesa a través de la cocina, la artesanía y los juegos.
Este programa se llevará a cabo el tercer miércoles de cada mes de las 4:30-5:30pm.
Audiencia: Para jóvenes (grados 7-12).

Artificial Intelligence Discussion Group
2025-06-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Idea Fab Labs, 2801 Mission St #204, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Artificial Intelligence Discussion Group
3rd Thursdays, 6 – 8pm
Join us and discuss the infinite possibilities of A.I.! Are you Intrigued by A.I.? Does A.I. Scare you? Do you want A.I. to write your next term paper? Come hang out and talk about the implementation and implications of this rapidly advancing field.
Discussions are every 3rd Thursday at Idea Fab Labs.
Co-sponsored by Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
We have Open House hours Monday 5:00pm-7:00pm where the public is invited to see our equipment, take tours, and get a feel for the facility.

New Member Orientation Join us first and third Mondays, immediately after Open House at 7:00pm to start the process of becoming a member!
Our location is on the 2nd floor of the Wrigley Building in Santa Cruz.
RSVP for New Member Orientation

Preparing Your Family for a New Baby
2025-06-20 12:30 - 14:00 | Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA, 95010, United States
Preparing Your Family for a New Baby
Friday, June 20, 12:30 – 2pm
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is one of the most effective evidence-based parenting programs in the world, backed by more than 35 years of ongoing research.
Attend this FREE parenting workshop to learn:

How to prepare your children to welcome a new baby to the family
Tips for helping children adjust to having a new sibling
How to do a room-by-room safety check of your home

Felton Community Nature Journaling
2025-06-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Felton Library, 6121 Gushee Street, Felton, CA, 95018, United States
Felton Community Nature Journaling
Saturday, June 21, 10:30am-12pm
Have you ever wanted to learn how to nature-journal? Join and learn skills and techniques that will get you out into nature exploring sunlight, shadows, movement and heat in our wonderful natural world. Participants will develop mindfulness and observation skills, foster a deeper sense of wonder and appreciation for nature, and build a sense of community through shared experiences. We provide a sketch book and pencils that will be yours to keep! Free! Limited to 20 registrants. For adults.
Instructor Clara Elliott is a California Naturalist, Climate Steward, and has been teaching nature journaling for over five years. She was one of the first people to obtain a Wild Wonder Nature Journaling teaching certification. She is also a former high school teacher, librarian, and she is now a homeschooling mom of two kids.

Virtual Author Talk with Katherine Applegate (3rd-6th Grade)
2025-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Virtual Author Talk with Katherine Applegate (3rd-6th Grade)
Tuesday, June 24, 1 – 2pm

Living the Otter Life with Katherine Applegate (3rd-6th Grade)
Join us as award-winning author and summer reading champion Katherine Applegate talks to viewers about her enthusiastically heartwarming novel in verse, Odder.
Everyone wants to meet Odder, the Queen of Play. Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself―and about the humans who hope to save her.
Katherine Applegate’s Odder, is inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers. This poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals.
Join the conversation and register at https://libraryc.org/santacruzpl/77670.
About the Author: Katherine Applegate is the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for young readers, including The One and Only Ivan, Wishtree, Crenshaw, the Endling series, the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter books series, and the Animorphs series. She lives with her husband, who writes as the author Michael Grant, and their children in California.
For upcoming author talks, visit https://libraryc.org/santacruzpl/upcoming.
SCPL’s Virtual Author Talks are made possible by the Friends of the Capitola Library.

Book Bag Painting Capitola
2025-06-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA, 95010, United States
Book Bag Painting Capitola
Tuesday, June 24, 2 – 3:30pm

Create your own library tote bag! All supplies will be provided.

Summer Music Nights at the Library
2025-06-29 17:00 - 19:00 | Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St Suite 100, Watsonville, CA, 95076, United States
Summer Music Nights

Mondays, June 23 & 30, 5 – 7pm

Enjoy live music at Watsonville library this Summer ~ Join us for Summer Music Nights every Monday in June from 5-7pm at the Main Watsonville Library, Meeting Room. Each week will either be a chance to hear a music performer or an opportunity sing your heart out to karaoke.
Here is a schedule of what will be happening each Monday:
Monday, June 23: Karaoke
Audience: All ages. https://www.watsonville.gov/calendar.aspx?EID=6617

More Info: Visit City of Watsonville

Make a Light up Ping-Pong Ball Lantern
2025-07-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Felton Library, 6121 Gushee Street, Felton, CA, 95018, United States
Make a Light up Ping-Pong Ball Lantern! Make & Explore Summer @ Felton
Thursdays 3 – 5pm, July 10, through November 20

July 10 we are making a ping-pong ball lantern (free-while supplies last)!
Make and explore STEAM possibilities at Felton Branch Library!
Every week we will have a new project idea for you to build or explore. Projects will include Science, Arts & Crafts, including model building, and exploration of the environment around us.
Best for children 6+. Children under 6 yrs old will need an adult present to help them. Expect to get messy! The program will take place in the Felton Library Community Room and / or patio. Kids 6-11 years Teens 12-18 years
