Organization Mission

Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries supports the Santa Cruz City-County Library System through fundraising, volunteer services, and advocacy. FSCPL’s goal is to create stronger neighborhoods and a culturally-enriched county through accessible and diverse library programs.

The Big Idea 2022:
Realizing the Promise

Today libraries require more inviting, flexible, and supportive spaces that are better equipped and resourced to meet unique local needs and expectations. They have a growing role to reinforce the communities they serve. In a society burdened by stresses and divisions, public libraries embody the potential of connection, an informed and engaged citizenship, and intellectual growth for all.

We are raising funds to bridge the gap between Measure S (passed in 2016 for basic infrastructure upgrades) and the needs at the 10 branches in the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. We already completed three beautiful branches in 2019-2021. We are supporting renovations at Branciforte and Garfield Park in 2022, and an expanded facility in Aptos will be complete in early 2023.

$1 million will help to create new library spaces for children, teens, community programs, adult services, exhibits, collaborative study areas, and learning activities, together with new collections, technology, equipment and furnishings required to attain the community’s vision.

Innovative programming will inspire the life-long learning goals of children and adults and build community through engagement across generations and socio-economic groups—realizing the full promise of our libraries.

Once the libraries became open for curbside service, I immediately signed up for the next few books to share with my highly literate young kids. The bagged art projects have also been a source of delight for our little family. Thank you all for what you are doing to help us stay healthy and inspired and curious and courageous during this impossible pandemic!

Sarah Joy Zell, Scotts Valley