Downtown's Next Anchor Institution Needs You: Why Local Businesses Are Investing in the New Library

The Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries recently gathered a volunteer film crew in view of the library construction site to collect community members’ stories. Capturing the palpable energy and vitality around this new library branch, student journalist Max Guerra shares a few impressions here.

As the new Downtown Library begins to take shape, members of the community have a unique opportunity to be a part of positive, local change.

John and Linda Burroughs, long-time leaders in Santa Cruz who have made generous donations to the Friends for years, say they love the library because its services are open to everyone and because communities need common spaces.

“What we're really trying to do is to fund the future for our children and our grandchildren,” said John Burroughs. “[The library is] a place where people can gather. It doesn't matter what's in your wallet or what your interests are. Everybody can get together. It meets so many needs in our community.”

The new library currently being built at 119 Lincoln Street will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide Santa Cruz’s adults, teens and children with the library they deserve. The space will include large community and family activities rooms, study rooms, a toddler area, a teen center, an expanded children’s library with dedicated programming space, a special collections room, an atrium, and a roof deck.

Jessica Goodman, Adult Programs & Services Manager for the library system, is excited for more than just a new building.

“With all of the housing that's going up around downtown Santa Cruz, we're going to have so many more people who are actual neighbors of the downtown library — and at all different income levels — which I think is going to make for a really vibrant activity space in the library.”

Donations don’t just come from individuals, businesses that care about making powerful donations in local growth are welcome to join in on the fun.

“We give back 10% of our after tax profits every year to nonprofits that are serving and based in the communities where we have stores.” said Robin Nardello, Community Programs Manager for New Leaf Community Markets. “We're very verysupportive of all things that support kiddos and the library is just fundamental to kids.”

No matter who you are or where you come from, the library has something for you. By contributing to building an institution that will be so far-reaching, you place roots in the Santa Cruz community.  

Andrew Ow, whose family has been donating to the library for generations, is excited to continue the legacy. He encourages others in Santa Cruz who want to have a lasting impact on their community to do the same.

“We're going to have this really big, beautiful new building where you can take your partner or your children or your grandchildren and show them, ‘hey, I was a part of this, I helped build this’” he said. “It's going to be here for a very long time and it's going to be just wonderful to see.”

No matter which aspects of the library get someone excited, it is deeply satisfying to support a civic resource that is free, accessible, and benefits everyone.

You can follow the Friends social feeds for recent video stories.

Where does our Downtown Library capital campaign stand today? 

Every gift matters and every gift right now is matched by a $150,000 grant from a private foundation. This will get us to our $3 million goal. The campaign closes in September.  

This is truly the last chance to take part in this campaign!

Name recognition on the prominent donor wall starts at $1,000 - a gift from many families and businesses that we can proudly see when we enter this gorgeous new library. A variety of larger naming opportunities are still available, including roof deck planters, study rooms, and a few room namings.

You may find other ways to donate including corporate matches by visiting this page.

Want to learn more about the library? Visit the Santa Cruz Public Library table at Santa Cruz Works next New Tech event on September 9 (details to be announced in August)!