Santa Cruz County libraries face reconstruction and renovations after years of planning

For years the Captiola Branch Library stood as a portable building. That building is finally being torn down and replaced as part of an effort to renovate or reconstruct libraries across Santa Cruz County.

“It’s been there since about the mid-90s,” says Capitola Public Works Director, Steve Jesberg. “It was meant to be a temporary structure until a new library was built so it’s been quite some time until we were able to get the financing to build the new library.”

The question now is whether or not people will go to the newly constructed library.

“I really support libraries but like I say, I guess my period of using them seems to be kinda past,” says Capitola resident Mark Regalia. “I keep saying I should go but you know…”

Regalia says he had a couple of favorite libraries he’d go to while growing up. Including one in Downtown Santa Cruz.

However he says advancements in technology and other sources for books has changed things.

“Now it’s almost easy enough to get books online or book stores or these little street side libraries all around here,” Regalia says.

However the traditional library is considered irreplaceable.

Santa Cruz County voters agreed in 2016, voting in favor of measure S by a wide margin.

Leading to Capitola going ahead and almost tripling the size of its old library in favor of the new structure.

“Friends of the Library has raised several hundred thousands of dollars to help with programs, collections and so on,” says Jesberg. “So we’re very excited and we know the community is excited about it.”

The new Capitola structure is scheduled to be finished some time next year.

Meanwhile in Aptos, the public will have their say on what renovations will be made at their library in the coming weeks.

The first of at least three meetings for Aptos residents about their Aptos Branch Library will be November 13th from 7 – 8 pm at the Aptos library.

City of Capitola will break ground on its library November 9th (today) at 11 am.

For more information about Measure S and all the upcoming work for Santa Cruz County Libraries, click here!