Programs/Events

Upcoming Programs at the Library

a cute monstor with it's mouth open and text monster drawing contest


Monster Drawing Contest


Channel your creativity into drawing your own original monster! We are inviting youth in grades K-5 to participate in our Monster Drawing Contest ~ Pick up and drop off your entry form at either our Main Library or Freedom Branch. Limit one entry per person. $10 gift cards will be awarded to each grade level winner.   

Entries Accepted October 2nd - October 21st
During Library Open Hours


Voting on finalists will occur October 23 through October 31.  

art supplies spilling out of a cup and text Crafternoon


Crafternoon


Looking for a fun and creative way to spend your Wednesday afternoons with your family? Join us each week for a new and easy craft to complete at your own pace. Supplies will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis as supplies will be limited. 

Wednesdays & Fridays in October
2pm at the Main Library

This program is intended for youth ages 5-12. 

film reel and popcorn pieces and text Family Movie Night

Family Movie Night


Join us for a Family Movie Night. Movies will be rated G or PG. Light refreshments will be provided. 

First Wednesday of the Month
5:30pm at the Main Library Children's Storytime Room 

 
Wednesday, October 4: The Bad Guys (PG) 
Wednesday, November 1: Book of Life (PG) 
Wednesday, December 6: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG) 

The intended audience for this program is families. 

computer mnotior 3d printer and a gear with text Tech Night


Tech Night


Join us for Library Tech Night ~Learn about podcasting equipment, play with bots and other technologies! 

Monday, October 9th
5pm - 6:30pm at the Main Library

This program is for all ages.  

brown packaging box with a variety of different treats from around the world in it

Universal Yums!


Young foodies! We invite you to our Universal Yum recurring program where we will learn about a different country each month through delicious snacks and interactive activities. 

Friday, October 13th
Starting at 2pm at the Freedom Branch Library

This program is on a first-come, first-serve basis as supplies is limited, and intended for ages 7-12. 

Disclaimer: Please be aware that some products featured in this program are manufactured in a facility that also handles common allergens such as wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, eggs, milk, fish, and shellfish.

cartoon camera and text watsonville public library photography contest


Annual Photography Contest


Learn more about this year's photography contest

Deadline for entries is November 15th, 11:59pm. 

sewing machine and other sewing items with text Sewing 101


Sewing 101: Absolute Beginners


Have you ever wanted to learn how to sew?  Learn about the various parts of a sewing machine, beginner vocabulary and techniques. Attend our absolute beginner session and then level up to our project focused advanced beginner sessions. We have only 6 machines, so bring a partner or your own machine.  

Tuesday, October 17th
Starting at 4pm at the Freedom Branch Library

This program is intended for older children, teens, and adults. 

hanging cut out paper decorations and candles with text Day of the Dead craft and games night


Día de los Muertos


Join us for our annual Day of the Dead family program. Create a glow-in-the-dark lantern, play loteria, win prizes, and get your face painted like a calavera. Supplies will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Thursday, October 26th
5:30pm - 7pm at the Main Library

This program is intended for families.

Beanstack Reading Challenges


With Beanstack you can develop a reading habit, track your reading, and participate in various themed reading challenges. You can participate online through the Beanstack website, or with the Beanstack mobile app

For a group reading challenge, participate in the Big Library Read, the first global ebook club. 

This Month's Reading Challenge

a painter a dancer a singer and text find your voice summer reading program

This Year's Challenge

map, signposts and a road with text Adventure 365

1000 Before K

1000 Books Before Kindergarten A Newbeanstack challenge with images from space

Online Book Clubs and Author Talks


Interested in participating in a community read online? The Big Library Read is the first global ebook club with selections every few months.  Together We Read is an annual open country wide community read. 

Love hearing from authors and asking questions about their work? Learn more about upcoming Author Talks. 

Author Talks

image of an author and one of their books with text Author Talks

Big Library Read

cover of book titled a very typical family on a electronic tablet held in someone's hands

Together We Read

logo for together we read and image of book cover on a reading tablet

Ongoing and Other Recurring Programs

Library Lego® Club

lego pieces scattered with text library lego club


Library Lego®  Club

We are back in action ~ Be a Master Builder at our Library Lego® Club! Join us and get creative with a provided theme or build whatever you want with the library’s collection of bricks. Bring the whole family along to join in on the fun.

This program takes place at the Main Library, Children’s Area, 
First Tuesday of the Month, from 4-5pm

Mothersong

cartoon guitar and music notes with text mothersong with joya winwood


Mothersong with Joya Winwood

Sing and dance with us!

Main Library Meeting Room, 10:30am
First Friday of the Month

The audience for this program is families.

Pajama Storytime

open book with clouds and sun images and text pajama storytime


Pajama Storytime

Grab your favorite stuffed animals and slippers! Come to our Pajama Storytime  in your favorite pajamas and have fun with stories and songs.

Main Library starting at 7pm 
Third Tuesday of the Month

The intended audience for this program is children and their families.

Poets' Circle

photograph of poets Tshaka Campbell and text Poets Circle


Poets' Circle

Learn more about our next Poets' Circle meeting here

The intended audience for this program is older teens and adults.

Two children doing gymnastics and text toddler tumble time


Toddler Tumble Time


Get ready to tumble ~ Our Toddler Tumble Time program encourages toddlers to develop balance, coordination, and cooperation while participating in fun games, yoga, music, rhymes, and more! 

Main Library Meeting Room, 10:30am
Second Tuesday of the Month

The intended audience for this program is children ages four and under who are walking.

Weekly Storytimes

Bilingual Baby Laptime

cartoon babies holding open books and text bilingual baby laptime


Bilingual Baby Laptime

Bienvenidos/Welcome ~  Help your child (newborn - 2yrs) build early literacy skills as we have fun with songs and stories. 

Wednesdays, 10:30am at the Freedom Branch
Fridays, 10:30am at the Main Library
 

Toddler Storytime

cartoon fox and rabbit reading books and text bilingual toddler storytime


Toddler Storytime

Our Bilingual Toddler Storytime features fun songs, rhymes and books that foster early literacy.

Wednesdays, 11:30am at the Freedom Branch
Thursdays, 10:30am at the Main Library
 

Events & Programs celebrating Art & Expression in our Community

Community Art & Expression

Community Art & Expression Programs

Annual Poetry Contest

decorative lines and splat shapes with text 2022 poetry contest for all ages

Graphic Novel Contest

comic book pages in the background and text 2023 comic book contest

Photography Contest

photograph next to a camera on a table with text photography contest we are watsonville

Photographs and videos may be taken at these events and may be used in marketing materials for library activities.

Virtual Programs & Resources

Baby Laptime Songs & Rhymes

two women with teddy bears in their lap about to do storytime with the text bilingual baby laptime s

Mothersong - Virtual Editions

one woman clapping and another drumming with text mothersong virtual editions

Financial Literacy Tutorials

text on plain background financial literacy tutorials

Discover Your Roots

a marble colored background with a green tree and the text dig deeper and discover your roots

Partnerships with Other Organizations to Explore Our World

California Parks Pass

two hands - on one side touching books on the other touching a tree and text california state parks

Shelf to Shore

three young students looking through aquarium glass with logo for monterey bay aquarium