New Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries Executive Director Bruce Cotter |
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The Word from the Friends:
Welcome, Bruce Cotter! The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries are delighted to be able to announce our new Executive Director, Bruce Cotter! Bruce has logged decades of management and non-profit experience. He has served on the boards of Shakespeare Santa Cruz (including a stint as Chair), the New Hampshire Library Trustees Association, the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (as Vice President), and the Library Advisory Commission, among others, and has managed a sales team in high technology. We are looking forward to seeing where we can go with Bruce’s leadership!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Interim Executive Director Martín Gómez. A former FSCPL President on our board, Martín graciously served as the leader of our organization for the past 10 months and now plans to return to a position on our board. Thank you for your service, Martín!
Happy National Library Week! Stay tuned all week as we share posts from our beloved Santa Cruz Public Libraries in honor of this special week. Of course, at the Friends, our favorite day of Library Week is Take Action for Libraries Day, on Thursday April 8! Acting and advocating for our local libraries is our reason for being, and we can’t do it without you! The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries as it is today has grown out of a grassroots movement. We are our volunteers and donors! Make a gift today in honor of National Library Week!
- Rebekah Scott, Operations Manager
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Welcome to the Board: Robin Holland |
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I'm honored and excited to join the Board of the Friends of Santa Cruz Public Library. Our libraries serve us well beyond the provision of books - they're a key resource for strengthening our entire community, providing access to important information, internet connections and more. As a frequent user and beneficiary of the library system, particularly our Downtown branch, I'm glad to be on a team that's focused on growing this valuable resource, so everyone can benefit. - Robin Holland
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Aptos
The 2021 Our Community Reads season is complete and the Aptos Friends team is reviewing successes and opportunities of our "Zoom Season" to see what modifications should be considered for 2022.
Progress is continuing on the New Aptos Library with renderings of the initial design concept available on the Aptos Friends website. Library staff and Aptos Friends are reviewing these to ensure functionality and inclusion of desired features. The Aptos Friends will begin fundraising soon for enhancements and desired furnishings.
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Capitola
March marked the third anniversary of the Friends of the Capitola Library operating a bookstore in the Capitola Mall. The first space we were given by the mall management was adjacent to Starbucks. When that space was rented, the mall offered us the use of a space by Target. We are currently in our fourth and largest location in the mall, the former Justice store. We offer a carefully organized selection of donated books, DVDs, CDs, and games. Most items are $1 or $2. We have an ever-expanding group of shoppers who show up weekly to check out what's been added to the shelves. We also have served hundreds of people shopping in the mall who walk in when they notice what we offer and are thrilled to find thousands of used reading and media materials. The Capitola Friends are grateful to our small group of volunteers who have kept the store running smoothly and, of course, we thank the Capitola Mall for generously giving us the use of space in the mall.
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Felton
The energetic Americorps team (pictured left) completed their SLVWD project in our Discovery Park at the end of March. It took them only 7 days to transform the very weedy area under the solar panels into an attractive chipped hillside. Felton Library Friends participated in the planning process and provided funds for a Chinese dinner at the Red Pearl. FLF members also took part in a zoom presentation with the team on community activism in the Felton community. Special thanks are in order for Valley Woman's Club Board Member Linda Skeff, SLVWD Enviromental Planner Carly Blanchard, and, at the last minute, Travis Tree Professionals for more chips. What a great community project that will enhance the view from the Felton Discovery Park.
The Discovery park builders recently won an award from The American Public Works Association Monterey Bay Chapter for “The 2021 Project of the Year Structures Under 5 million” category. The Park was also featured on the World Landscape Architecture industry website. You can read the article here.
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La Selva Beach
The LSB Library is open for Grab & Go services three days a week and the community is looking forward to being able to fully use the new space. Meanwhile, there a new self check system to try, the ability to pick up books and a great new patio with comfy chairs that we can use! Everyone is invited to come see our fabulous newly renovated library.
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Scotts Valley
Friends of the Scotts Valley Public Library are currently working alongside Mountain Mike's Pizza on the details for a fundraiser that will be held on May 20 - more details to come! In addition, FSVPL recently held a productive, public meeting with Group 4 Architecture and The City of Scotts Valley. Unfortunately, due to an essential seismic upgrade of the Scotts Valley Branch, the building is scheduled to be closed for four months this Fall - patience is a virtue!
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Saying Goodbye: Kate Canlis |
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This month we say goodbye to longtime board member and friend, Kate Canlis. Kate was previously the President of the Friends, as well as a board member for many years. We thank her for her service to the Friends and to the Santa Cruz community. Best wishes Kate! |
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friends@fscpl.org
www.fscpl.org
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