Felton Library Friends History
Our History
Felton Library Friends formed in May 2005 after residents of the San Lorenzo Valley successfully fought the proposed closure of the Felton Branch Library located in the 1,250-square-foot Belardi Building. From then until 2016, Felton Friends members advocated for a new Felton branch and produced many fundraising/friend-raising events to keep library needs in the community’s consciousness and to raise funds to support an eventual capital campaign. Felton Library Friends leaders served on the then-governing board of the Library and on the board of Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. Felton Friends played crucial roles in protecting the current branch from additional closure attempts in 2008 and 2012, and was involved in passing Measure R in 2008 and Measure S in 2016 to fund the library system.
After the passage of Measure S in 2016 ensured funding for construction, Felton Friends worked closely with Library Director Susan Nemitz, County officials, Architect Teall Messer, County Parks planners, and others on features of the new library and park.
From 2017 through 2019, Felton Friends conducted a successful capital campaign to provide essential enhancements for the library and park and to create a fund to support ongoing programming. Following the February 2020 opening of the library and park, Felton Library Friends’ primary focus has been to support and fund enhancements, events, and programs for the library and park.
History Timeline
July 1893 – Dedication of First Presbyterian Church of Felton.
June 1942 – Felton Branch library established in a former coat closet at Community Hall.
January 1955 – Presbyterian church moves to new location. Old building purchased by Nick and Faye Belardi who plan to build a home on the site.
July 1955 – Facing threat of closure, Felton residents rally to save library and church. Nick Belardi offers to sell historic building for $1,000 on condition that it be moved to former school property.
September 1955 – After his wife dies in an auto accident, Nick donates church and land site for “Faye G. Belardi Memorial Library.”
April 15, 1956 – Opening of Belardi Library.
January 1999 – Library board sets two-year deadline for renovation or replacement.
April 2000 – Verutti family offers land on Gushee Street as site for new library.
May 2, 2005 – Local residents successfully protest proposed “temporary” closure.
May 23, 2005 – Felton Library Friends formed to actively advocate for a new library.
March 2008 – Joint Powers Board prioritizes Felton branch.
June 7, 2016 – Measure S passes—$67 million library bond with $10 million earmarked for Felton.
September 21, 2018 – Groundbreaking for new Felton library.
February 22, 2020 – Grand Opening celebration for new Felton library.
March 2020 – The historic Belardi building becomes the Faye G. Belardi Memorial Gallery of the San Lorenzo Valley Museum.
Felton Library Progress Video
Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works provided this video update showing progress on the construction of the new Felton Branch Library on Gushee Street in downtown Felton as of April 15, 2019. Works
Felton Library Design
Library Interior
The library interior was designed by Berkeley-based architects Noll and Tam.
Art in the Library
Permanent
Artist Lea de Wit was awarded the commission to create an original work of art for the new Felton Library and Park as part of the Santa Cruz County Percent for Art Program for new projects. Her work includes over 200 hand-blown glass butterflies, sculptures in the courtyard, and book-like sculptures in the park depicting day and night pollinators. You can read more about the process When Dreams Take Flight by public artist Lea de Wit and view her website here.
Rotating
The Felton Library Friends host two rotating exhibits featuring local artists and topics of interest. One can be found in a display case near the entrance to the teen room. The second is located near the entrance and features local artists on the Les and Nancy Gardner Community Art Wall.
Felton Discovery Park History
In 2016 the non-profit Nature Explore was engaged by Felton Library Friends to explore utilizing the north side of Bull Creek for outdoor discovery. The proximity of the creek provided a unique opportunity to weave environmental literacy and stewardship programs into the library.
Working with county officials and key stakeholders, preliminary plans were developed that laid the groundwork for next steps. In 2018 BASE Landscape Architecture was chosen by Santa Cruz County Parks to further develop plans for the north side of Bull Creek with an emphasis on riparian, native, and pollinator plants. Joni Janecki and Associates were chosen by the county to landscape the south side of Bull Creek.
Riparian restoration began in 2018 and included extensive removal of invasive species such as Himalayan blackberry hybrid, vinca, ivy, and Scotch broom. Crews from the California Conservation Corps and Americorps were invaluable during this two-year period.
The park opened in 2020. Felton Library Friends continues to work with County Parks to develop environmental education, remove invasive species, and prune and replace plants. Felton Friends and County Parks hold community work party Saturday mornings on selected Saturdays throughout the year from 9-11. The schedule is published in the Felton Friends newsletter. at the beginning of the year.
The Felton Library Friends logo from 2005 to 2025