• The main entrance to the new Capitola Library is close to where it was at the old building, but that's about where the similarities end.
    The main entrance to the new Capitola Library is close to where it was at the old building, but that’s about where the similarities end.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The high ceiling in the new library is meant to evoke the bottom of a ship's hull.
    The high ceiling in the new library is meant to evoke the bottom of a ship’s hull.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The deck area with Adirondack-style chairs adds space for reading and gathering at the new Capitola Branch Library.
    The deck area with Adirondack-style chairs adds space for reading and gathering, and allows parents and guardians to keep an eye on the nearby play structure, too.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Eight-year-old Camilla Chavez settled into a reading nook during her first visit to the new Capitola library.
    Eight-year-old Camilla Chavez settled into a reading nook during her first visit to the new Capitola library.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Green plates that resemble the leaves of a very big tree in the children’s section are acoustic panels to help absorb noise.
    Green plates on the ceiling that resemble the leaves of a very big tree in the children’s section of the new Capitola library are actually designed as acoustic panels to help absorb noise.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Aptos resident Patrick Hung reads in front of the fireplace during his first visit to the Capitola library.
    Aptos resident Patrick Hung reads in front of the fireplace during his first visit to the Capitola library. “I think it’s beautiful but lacking a bit in books,” he said. “It seems like they are filling up.”

    (Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • One of the community rooms at the new Capitola library.
    One of the community rooms at the new Capitola library.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • There's no shortage of natural light at the new Capitola Branch Library.
    There’s no shortage of natural light at the new Capitola Branch Library.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The glassed-in teen space at the new Capitola library.
    The glassed-in teen space at the new Capitola library.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The new Capitola Branch Library, at the corner of Wharf Road and Clares Street, cost more that $13 million.
    The new Capitola Branch Library, at the corner of Wharf Road and Clares Street, cost more that $13 million.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Brothers Paul and George Ankeney use the Capitola library's new digital checkout system.
    Brothers Paul and George Ankeney use the Capitola library’s new digital checkout system.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • Glass and wood run throughout the new Capitola library.
    Glass and wood run throughout the new Capitola library.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • The library's deck area overlooks the play structure at the Capitola library.
    The library’s deck area overlooks the play structure at the Capitola library.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
  • At $13.5 million, the library is the largest capital project the city of Capitola has undertaken.
    With a price tag of $13.5 million, the branch library is the largest capital project the city of Capitola has ever undertaken.(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz) Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz