A Library Lover’s Tour of the Coast

Many people collect items as a hobby. I have friends who collect vintage video games, comic books, even quilts. I’m a different kind of collector, however. I collect library visits. For fun, I like to visit community libraries and photograph what I find there.

My love of libraries took root in childhood. My mom, a teacher, would take my sister and me to the San Bruno library on Saturday mornings, and I’d check out the maximum 10 books every time. I’d stuff them into my Hello Kitty tote bag, then start devouring them as soon as I got home.

Now I’m a teacher and my love of libraries hasn’t dimmed. Yet I discovered something new when I began collecting library visits a few years ago: Libraries are so much more than books. Almost immediately, I noticed how each branch reflects the community it serves, including the languages of materials and services offered. Some libraries are true community hubs, with job training, resume-writing classes, citizenship workshops and language classes. Others offer parent support groups, chess clubs and homework help.

With this in mind, I headed for Santa Cruz during my December break to explore a few coastal libraries, excited to see what treasures I might find. What would be the best feature in each branch? How would they reflect their community?

My first stop was the downtown branch, at 224 Church St. I got there shortly before opening time, and there were already patrons waiting to enter. This is pretty common. Almost every time I get to a library branch early, there’s a small group of people waiting. I like to think of them as library fans.

As soon as I stepped in, I saw the downtown branch’s superpower: the Veterans Information Center. It’s in the lobby, even before you get to the books and other services inside. Posted hours offered assistance four days a week.

Almost all libraries have inviting children’s sections, and the downtown branch was no exception. Some of the stand-out pieces were multicolored garlands of origami, beach-themed art on the walls, and a 2008 mural showing a child reading while overlooking a coastal city and an ocean made of books.

Next I headed to the Live Oak branch, at 2380 Portola Drive, which overlooks Corcoran Lagoon. This location is more tucked away than the downtown branch, and the vibe is laid-back instead of bustling.

My favorite part of this branch was the clean lines of the mission style design, from architecture to furniture style and even tabletop lamps. Large windows let in plenty of natural light and took advantage of the beautiful view outside. The library also has black silhouette-style art that depicts birds in marsh-like grasses like you can find just outside.

It was still early, only about an hour after opening, but a few parents and children roamed and lounged in the children’s area. Other reading areas had a scattering of readers soaking in the peaceful scene.

My third stop was the La Selva Beach branch, at 316 Estrella Ave. This was a compact branch, sandwiched between a fire station and the La Selva Beach Clubhouse, but it made good use of its space.

Like many small community libraries, it focuses on providing a good children’s section. High ceilings, exposed beams and lots of natural light make the branch feel bigger. Other highlights include a variety of art, such as hanging wooden pieces near the information desk, sea animals on a large clear vertical panel and a marine-themed mosaic just outside the front door. Tall palm trees outside add to the beach mood.

My last stop for the day was the Capitola branch, at 2005 Wharf Road. This is a sleek new building with lots of natural wood and clean vertical lines, starting with the exterior. The children’s room was playful, with owl faces popping up on the kids’ chairs and a tree theme that carried through the library.

There’s also a fireplace in the periodicals area, and this branch also makes great use of large windows and natural light. Near the front, there’s a section of books on local history that includes diverse offerings such as “Surfing in Santa Cruz,” “Highway 17” and “Chinese Gold: The Chinese in the Monterey Bay Region.”

Finally, a glass cabinet contains a mini-exhibit called “My Neighborhood … Camp Capitola.” It features historical photographs, a collection of various shells, and blurbs of information about the camp.

With four new library visits in my pocket, it was time for me to head back home to San Jose. I have many more coastal libraries ahead of me, but thanks for adding to my treasure chest, Santa Cruz County. I know I’ll be back.

Kathy Sweeney is a former journalist and current teacher. She began her library quest a few years ago by visiting all 25 public libraries in San Jose, where she lives.