After a misty morning, the clouds parted and the sun began to shine to welcome future Friends of the Downtown Library to the building’s new location, at the corner of Cedar and Lincoln Streets.
The public enjoyed free library programs, in addition to live music and delicious offerings from local food trucks. The gusty weather didn’t stop attendees of all ages from enjoying complimentary ice cream from the Penny Ice Creamery as they perused everything from poetry, crochet lessons, to puzzles and the Library of Things.
The event wasn’t just festive and celebratory. Interested guests were able to ask questions about the future library at the information booth, hearing from project partners and viewing large-scale renderings of what the library will look like once completed. Kids and local leaders alike posed in front of the renderings, sharing smiles and a sense of accomplishment in light of the achievement this project is.
The attendees also had the opportunity to become the Downtown Library’s Original Friends, contributing funds to the project’s completion and in exchange receiving a bookplate in a book in the new library. Thanks to a generous matching donation from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, donors knew that their gifts would be doubled, and their contributions would help shape the bright future of the library.
The interactive nature of the event was intended to involve patrons in every step of the creation of the library, even before construction begins. The project has been able to move forward due to the tireless efforts of civic leaders, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors who cherish the library and its role in their community.
“The Friends’ vision is to expand how we think about philanthropy by enabling patrons served by our library system to contribute to it,” said Janis O’Driscoll, Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries President. “Here in Santa Cruz that is inclusive of the wide range of perspectives and generations who will determine what it means to be lifelong Friends to this Downtown Library. Everyone can be a Friend,” O’Driscoll concluded.
Carolyn Mish holds a position at the Division of Undergraduate Education at UCSC as a Student Writer. She reports on events and community stories in order to highlight voices and perspectives.
Photos by Jim Bourne
