Felton Library Friends will be hosting a “Branch Out!” event on Saturday, June 8, to reintroduce the community to the Felton Branch Library and Discovery Park.
There will be free environmental activities from 14 local organizations. Attendees of all ages are welcome to come make a wildflower seed packet, create a fish print, see the sun through a telescope and more.
Felton Library Friends were a critical part of the library’s reimagining beginning in 2005. In 2015, the San Lorenzo Valley Water District donated land adjacent to its water treatment plant to the library; that gift allowed the vision of an indoor/outdoor environmental and educational arena to flourish, and in February 2020, the branch was reopened to the public with fanfare and speeches from local dignitaries, including Mark Stone.
With the arrival of Covid in March 2020, the library was forced to shutter, and reopened for limited browsing in 2021.
Since then, the library has begun to flourish once again, with meeting rooms reserved and eager readers curled up in cozy chairs to enjoy the escapism a good book can provide.
Local biologists from the Felidae Conservation Fund and Felton’s underwater photographer Marc Shargel have hosted talks and receptions in the branch, and the adjacent park is abuzz with children of all ages playing the musical instruments that adorn the landscape.
Nancy Gerdt, president of Felton Library Friends, is excited to invite the public to celebrate all that the branch has to offer with the June 8 event.
“We’ll have live music featuring Patti Maxine & Friends, Sharon Allen & Jimmy Norris, and the Plateau Jazz Band. For the little ones, Librarian Jackie (Danziger) will do a story time at 11am and Vicki Neville Coffis will sing songs at noon. Marianne’s ice cream and Girl Scout lemonade will be available for purchase,” Gerdt said.
Organizations providing activities include: County Parks; County Parks Friends; Felton Farmers Market; Felton Library Friends; Friends of Quail Hollow Ranch; Friends of SLV Water; SC Astronomy Club; SC Natural History Museum; SC Public Libraries; Resource Conservation District; SLV Museum; SLV Water District; UCSC Master Gardeners and the Valley Women’s Club.
Plan to join the fun from 11am-3pm on Saturday, June 8, at 6121 Gushee St. in Felton.
Street parking is available for the event, and accommodations can be made for those who require them. Call 831-427-7716 or email fe******************@gm***.com for more information.
