On July 8, a new director started work at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, 10 branches including Aptos, Capitola and Scotts Valley. He is Christopher Platt, who spent six years as Mono County library director.
His salary is $200,000; he was granted up to $10,000 in a moving allowance and he can accrue 120 hours of vacation a year.
He started his career at Baker & Taylor, then shifted to the Queens Library, New York Public Library as collection director, then BookOps, the technical services of the New York Public Library, then oversaw library branches across the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, and oversaw 88 neighborhood libraries for the system, including customer experience, adult education and youth education and programming.
In an announcement, City Manager Matt Huffaker welcomed Platt, saying, “His demonstrated leadership and dedication to community engagement make him an ideal candidate for the role of Library Director. I am confident that under his guidance, our staff and libraries will continue to thrive and serve as vibrant hubs of learning and discovery for our residents.”
He has a master’s degree in librarianship from the University of Washington Seattle.
On June 6, he was selected to succeed Yolande Wilburn by the city managers who serve as the Joint Powers Authority board.
Christopher Platt
The Santa Cruz library director is a city of Santa Cruz employee, receiving the same benefits as other city executives and is considered a department head, hiring and supervising library employees, preparing the library budget and overseeing services to meet community needs.
In his prior roles, Platt oversaw geographically diverse library locations, fostered collaborations within the library community, and advocated for libraries to fostering a civil society.
He also has a background in library administration, budgeting, collection management, reader’s advisory, and staff training.
The big project ahead is to build a new library branch in downtown Santa Cruz, replacing a facility that was deemed obsolete, and taking advantage of the new site to provide 124 units of affordable rentals, three floors of parking spaces, child care, bike lockers and e-bike charging and a roof deck.
This project was launched when voters in June 2016 approved Measure S, providing $67 million to build or remodel the library branches. New libraries were built in Capitola, Aptos, and Felton; remodels took place in La Selva Beach, Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek, Branciforte, Garfield Park and Live Oak.
“Santa Cruz County’s communities have invested significantly in local libraries over the past decade, reinforcing their role as important, valued community resources,” Platt said. “I am truly excited to join the team at Santa Cruz Public Libraries and look forward to collaborating with library colleagues and community stakeholders to continue to shape and deliver exceptional library services for all of our community members.”