The Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SCPL) and Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (FSCPL) are excited to announce the grand reopening of the beautifully remodeled Garfield Park Branch Library.

The Grand Reopening Celebration is this Saturday, June 11, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm at the Garfield Park Library at 705 Woodrow Avenue in Santa Cruz.

Opening day festivities begin with special guest speakers Yolande Wilburn, SCPL Library Director; Ryan Coonerty, Third District Supervisor; Mike Rotkin and others. Children can enjoy storytimes with SCPL Librarians, participate in making crafts, and be charmed by a roaming fairy from Happily Ever Laughter.

Live music with local favorites Samba Cruz from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. All ages are invited to join us for refreshments and to plant seedlings of native flowers.

The community can tour the newly remodeled library, get a library card, borrow library materials and learn about the SCPL 2022 Summer Reading program.

"We are delighted to bring Library services back to the Garfield Park community!" says Library Director Yolande Wilburn.

Hello Friends, 

Did you know that June 8^th is National Best Friends Day? So, take a moment to reach out to your closest friends and connect with them. After the last few months, all of us are in need of some personal contact. You’ll be glad you did. 

Meanwhile, your friends at the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries have really been busy these last few weeks, and I have a lot to share with you. First, we made our annual distribution of funds to the SCPL. This year’s request was substantially larger than in the past and will be used to pay for the Summer Reading Program, for Lendable Technology enhancements, and for supporting the openings of 5 branches this year. Thank you all for the generous support that allows us to provide this money to the library for such important work. Also, we made the first distribution of money from the Realizing the Promise Campaign from last year. This was to meet a request for furnishings for the Children’s room at the Branciforte Branch Library. Again, our thanks go to you all. We couldn’t do this without your ongoing financial support.

In the last few weeks, we saw the opening of the beautiful and welcoming library at Boulder Creek, with its great new and sunlit spaces surrounded by redwoods. It was such a pleasure to be able to spend time with the amazing donors and volunteers who made this event, and this reopening, possible. It was a joy to see all the families enjoying a beautiful sunny day, taking part in the activities, listening to the live music, and just enjoying the return of their neighborhood library. 

We have another opportunity to celebrate this weekend, as we gather to mark the completion of renovations at the last remaining Carnegie Library in Santa Cruz on Saturday, June 11^th at Garfield Park.  It may be small, but it is absolutely beautiful and is loved by its surrounding neighborhood. There will be activities, tours, a few SHORT speeches, and a chance to share a glorious day at this beautiful branch. The activities will be from 12 to 4 and I am really looking forward to meeting as many of you as can make it so I can thank you in person for your support of our libraries and of the Friends.

The Friends is a grassroots organization. We are our volunteers and donors! In the last year, our volunteers gave over 9000 hours to support the library. We’d love to have you join us in this important, please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. And remember, there is no better way to celebrate your love for our libraries than with a gift to the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. I hope to see you Saturday!