The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries are celebrating the 5-year anniversary of Measure S, the $67 million bond measure passed by taxpayers in 2016 to fund major updates to all 10 branches in our Santa Cruz Public Libraries system. The Friends have organized a capital campaign to raise supplementary funds for three of the branches: Aptos, Branciforte, and Garfield Park. Now at 92% of a one million dollar goal, the campaign just needs a wave of community support to “Realize the Promise” of Measure S by year’s end.

The names of donors who contribute $1,000 or more will appear on a donor wall at the branch of their choice, along with any tribute they wish to include.

In the City of Santa Cruz, the neighborhood branches at Branciforte and Garfield Park will keep their footprints and outward appearance. But they'll be undergoing significant renovations and improvements to enhance user experience and provide community meeting places. Along with structural improvements, upgraded technology will offer increased digital access and support people to find employment and connect with other vital services.

The 1915 Carnegie library at Garfield Park will maintain its historic look and feel, while an interior redesign will make more efficient use of space. Once threatened with closure after the passage of Proposition 13 cut funding for libraries, this branch was saved in 1978 thanks to the efforts of community members, led by Mike Rotkin. Mike later went on to serve as Santa Cruz city council member and multi-term mayor.

Friends of Mike Rotkin, including Senator John Laird, Carol Fuller, Don Lane, and Ceil Cirillo, have organized a fundraiser to name the fireplace in Mike’s honor. To support this tribute, visit fscpl.org/capitalcampaign-donate and choose Capital Campaign for Garfield Park from the dropdown menu. Make sure to select "I would like to dedicate this donation" and type Mike Rotkin under "Tribute Name."

So far, organizers have raised almost $13,000 of their $20,000 goal for this tribute.

The 1967 Branciforte branch, in addition to getting similar tech upgrades and community spaces, will feature an enhanced children’s room with learning resources to nurture lifelong discovery and learning.

The Friends of Allison Endert, led by Rachel Dann, Deanna Sessums, and Melissa Whatley have organized a community tribute in memory of their friend, a Santa Cruz County analyst who passed away in 2020. In their words, “Allison dedicated her life to public service, driven by her innate sense of social justice and her desire to make our community a more equitable and nurturing place, particularly for children and families. By naming the Allison Endert Memorial Children’s Room at the Branciforte Library we not only honor her memory, dedication, and passion but help to support a worthy renovation project that will benefit the community she loved so much.”

To support this tribute, visit fscpl.org/capitalcampaign-donate and choose Capital Campaign for Branciforte from the dropdown menu. Make sure to select "I would like to dedicate this donation" and Allison Endert under "Tribute Name."

So far, organizers have raised about $105,000 of a $115,000 goal.

The Aptos branch, considered a regional library because its accessibility and location in south county makes it one of the busiest branches in the system, will be demolished and rebuilt in 2022 to better accommodate the service demands there. A very active and engaged chapter of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries in Aptos has joined with a strong campaign committee to raise awareness of the capital campaign in Aptos, increase chapter membership, and generate multiple gifts and tributes. It’s not too late to donate and add your name to the donor wall at the new and improved Aptos Library, anticipated to open in 2023.

The public funds raised by Measure S, combined with robust community capital campaigns, have already resulted in three completed libraries, which you can visit in Capitola, Felton, and La Selva Beach. Prepare to be awed! These are 21st century libraries, making innovative use of space, letting in natural light, giving designated meeting areas (enclosed by soundproof glass) to teens, and more.

Fully funded improvements are also currently underway at Boulder Creek, Live Oak, and Scotts Valley (a converted roller rink!), while the Downtown branch is the next and final project in the 10-branch system. In a strategic effort to spend down Measure S funds while maintaining service, the SCPL has been making efforts to keep a minimum of one branch open in each region, even while coordinating multiple building projects and coping with decreased staffing levels due to budget cuts during COVID.

Founded in 1979 during a challenging time for libraries, the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries is a grassroots 501(c)3 fundraising and advocacy organization, dedicated to supporting our local system. The 2021 Realizing the Promise Capital Campaign to raise $1,000,000 for three branches is the most ambitious project ever organized by the Friends in its 42-year-history.

When pandemic events of the past two years challenged our ability to congregate as a community, the libraries pivoted, providing outdoor and hybrid programming, adding laptops and hot spots to circulation, literally opening doors (for ventilation) and creating better indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. New civic buildings will bring us together for years to come.

The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries have been selected to take part in Santa Cruz Gives again this year. To help FSCPL win bonuses and matching funds, participate by visiting https://santacruzgives.org/nonprofit/fscpl/. Or donate through the FSCPL website at fscpl.org/capitalcampaign-donate/, where you can choose where to designate your gift, and dedicate your donation to a loved one.

Be part of the capital campaign for the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, and help generations of Santa Cruzans to connect, inspire, and inform.

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