By Carolyn Mish
This year, Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries fully funded the Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ Literacy Fund budget, which allowed the library to offer many core library services and programs.
For library staff, the term “literacy” has a wide range of applications. “We offer estate planning, advanced directive programs, language learning and conversation groups, even tax help,” said Jessica Goodman, Adult Programs Manager at SCPL. Technology related programs like Tech Talks workshops, AI meet-ups, and in-person Tech Help are also included. “There’s a really broad number of things that we do that fall under the umbrella of literacy, and are benefitted by the Literacy Fund.”
Chief among these programs are Summer Reading and R.E.A.D Tutoring, which aim to specifically target the ‘summer slide’ or learning loss experienced over the break. In summer of 2025, SCPL hosted 901 youth programs during June and July, among them 30 performances. Over 4,000 youth attended, and over 3,000 adults attended the 260 adult or all ages programs offered this summer. The Summer Reading program saw a significant boost in attendance of 19% compared to the year prior, and was able to support new attendees with craft and art supplies, performers, and incentive prizes enabled by the Literacy Fund.
“Summer reading is really about both targeting summer slide and ensuring that kids go back to school as confident, competent readers, and celebrating reading for pleasure,” said Heather Norquist, Youth Programs Manager. “We’re encouraging kids to read not just for assignments, and to read what they want to read.”
Adult summer programs also provide a space to engage adult readers, model a lifelong love of reading for youth in their lives, and bring in new patrons while showcasing just how many services the library provides. The increase in attendance in 2025 was primarily observed in all-ages programming, indicating the necessity of fun, engaging programming for adults at the library.
Another population served by the Literacy Fund is current and formerly incarcerated youth and adults in Santa Cruz County. Jesse Silva, Outreach Manager, oversees the County Correctional Facilities program and delivers books to juvenile and adult carceral facilities, allowing people to maintain human connection and literacy during trying times.
“We do try to do a culminating summer reading event at the juvenile hall, where we give away free books and bring a treat,” Silva said. “They get excited about it and it creates excitement about the library and reading that carries into the rest of the year.”
Overall, the Literacy Fund is critical to maintaining numerous programs that the library
holds year round, and in 2025 those programs served under-resourced populations and brought patrons into the library like never before. Every contribution counts and enables the library to provide vital services.
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 courtesy of Santa Cruz Public Libraries