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For Teachers
Class Visits
Scheduling a Class Visit to the Library or Classroom Visit with a Librarian
The Watsonville Public Library is delighted to partner with local teachers to help students with projects or learn about the library in a hands-on visit.
To reserve materials or request lists of available materials that pertain to a particular subject or project that has been assigned in a class, please fill out the Assignment Alert Form.
If you would like to bring a class to one of the Library branches, please fill out the Class Visit Form. Our staff will tailor the visit to suit the needs and grade level of the group. We can also prepare resources and materials that relate to a topic that is being studied back in class. If you would like to allow the students to check out materials as part of the visit, they will each need their own library card.
How to Prepare for Your Class Visit
1. What should I do in advance to prepare for my class?
As you schedule your visit with the librarian, please indicate if there are particular topics, themes, projects, or assignments you would like covered during your visit. If you have students who have library cards, please remind them to bring their cards on the day of your visit. For students who don't have library cards and would like to apply, please have applications ready prior to your visit (see number 4).
2. What should I expect during my class visit?
In addition to any specific requests you may discuss while scheduling your visit, the librarian will give your students an introduction to the Library's services and resources.
3. What can my students borrow from the Watsonville Public Library?
They can borrow books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and book/CD packages. They can also use their library cards to access e-books and databases for a variety of age groups, such as Tumblebooks. Please note that some materials have shorter lending periods than others.
4. How can my students borrow Library materials?
Students can borrow materials with the Watsonville Public Library card. To apply prior to your visit, students must fill out the age-appropriate application, have it signed by their parent or guardian (not required for students ages 13 and up), and return the completed application through the class registration process with your librarian. Applications signed by a parent or guardian do not require the parent or guardian to be present during the school class visit.
5. How many items can my students borrow and for how long?
Students can check out books, audiobooks, and CDs for three weeks, and DVDs for one week. Card members may check out up to 30 items on their library cards. However, if you want your students to borrow a smaller amount of materials, please discuss that with your librarian prior to your visit. All materials can be returned to the Main or Freedom Branch. If they need the materials past the due date, they can renew them in person or by calling the library at 831-768-3400.
6. Where can students use their library cards?
A Watsonville Public Library card can be used at either our Main or Freedom Branch, as well as online at to access e-books and research databases.
7. What else does the Library offer?
The Watsonville Public Library offers a wide array of educational programs and services, from early literacy programs for babies and toddlers to tutoring, summer reading programs, and more for children and teens. The librarian at your local branch can help you discover everything the Library has to offer.
8. My Students don’t know much English yet, are the visits available in Spanish?
Yes! The class visit form has a box to check if you would like a Spanish speaker present.
Resources for Teachers
Do you need library cards for your students?
Library Database Cards
If you work in a PVUSD secondary school, your school has been issued library cards that will allow remote access to use our research databases for your entire class simultaneously. This card is only good for accessing our databases, it does not have any other functionality.
For more information about database access for your classroom, please contact Young Adult Services Librarian, Jillian Wilson at jillian.wilson AT cityofwatsonville.org or speak with your school Library Media Technician.
Tutorial Videos
Did you know we’ve made tutorial videos to help illustrate how to use the library website, our catalog, and our databases.
🍎 Check them out!
E-Books
🍎 E-Books by Riveted: Simon Teen- every month this publisher offers FREE, popular e-books to teens. Students will need to register with an email to read the free books. They have a different selection every month, so you can always find new titles!
OER (Online Educational Resources)
OER are high quality educational materials that are freely accessible digitally. These materials have a Creative Commons license and can be easily integrated into your online classrooms.
🍎 OER Commons Hub K-12 Resources
🍎 Ca Dept. of Ed Distance Learning
Other Resources for Teachers
🍎 Restorative Justice, Social Emotional Learning & PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) videos to help you create a safe, positive, and restorative classroom environment.
🍎 Teaching Books: this site is dedicated to providing supplemental materials connected to a broad range of quality books, such as book guides, lesson plans, original interviews and more!
🍎 Teachers 4 Social Justice is a grassroots non-profit teacher support and development organization in San Francisco. T4SJ is a project of the Community Initiative Fund.