Watsonville Public Library and Santa Cruz Public Libraries Invite the Entire County to READ, ACT, and DISCUSS the Book Dear America
May 7, 2021 – Santa Cruz County, CA – The Watsonville and Santa Cruz Public Libraries invite all teens and adults in Santa Cruz County to participate in Book to Action. Book to Action is an initiative for libraries to connect with their communities to tackle important issues and encourage reading, discussion, and action. For centuries, Santa Cruz County has attracted immigrants from across the world. This summer, your libraries have partnered with other community organizations to create a Book to Action Series for adults and teens that examines themes of equity, immigration, citizenship, and identity.
Together, we will READ and DISCUSS Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas, then ACT to move the needle on issues related to these themes. We are pleased to offer community-centered programming that will foster meaningful conversations and actions to create a more equitable environment that respects the dignity and value of our immigrant communities. Print copies of the book in English, Spanish, and Young Reader’s versions will be available at library branches beginning May 12. Additional formats such as ebooks and eaudiobooks are available through both libraries’ collections. For more information visit bit.ly/WPL-B2A, santacruzpl.org, or bit.ly/SCPL-Book2Action.
Book to Action offers an engaging Summer Reading suite of events for adults and teens throughout the county. Events will take place in June and July, and include a conversation with the author, Jose Antonio Vargas on June 24th from 7 – 8 p.m. This event, presented in partnership with the Sunnyvale Public Library, will be presented with simultaneous Spanish language interpretation. Download an electronic version of the Book to Action Brochure at bit.ly/B2A-Programs or pick up a print copy with the book at branch libraries.
Other events include: book discussion groups in English and Spanish, film screening of the documentary “Documented” produced by the author, a presentation of “Watsonville is in the Heart,” a storytelling workshop and Pastures of Plenty Radio Recap in partnership with KSQD Community Radio, and a panel discussion with our partners at the Community Action Board and Thriving Immigrant Collaborative.
In addition to public programs, Santa Cruz Public Library’s County Correctional Facility Team and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office are partnering to bring Book to Action to the people in the Re-Entry & Rehabilitation facility. Two book discussions will be facilitated by a SCPL Volunteer and copies of the book will be provided to all incarcerated participants. Recommended reading lists, relevant resources, and information about the history of immigration in Santa Cruz County will be shared with participants. To learn more about the library’s jail services visit: bit.ly/SCPL-CCF.
Book to Action is a program of the California Library Association, supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.