August 2024
City of Camarillo Public Library is where discovery leads. We offer information resources that nurture learning andstrengthen the community. We are open to the public Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. For access to our digital resources, please check our website: www.camarillolibrary.org.
This month the library concluded its Summer Reading Adventure Program. We are grateful for the 1,294 readers who signed up and logged their hours this summer. The library offered its first sustainable Craft Swap, which had an enthusiastic turnout of 56 participants who were eager to exchange unused crafting materials. This event fostered a vibrant atmosphere where participants shared their creative supplies and networked with like-minded hobbyists. Local businesses and guilds, including the Channel Islands Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America, Happy Makers Studio, Threadbender Textiles and the Ventura County Handweavers and Spinners Guild, hosted tables.
The overwhelming positive response has led library staff to plan a second Craft Swap for November.
Library staff offered a sustainable gardening program geared for children. The workshop “Little Seedlings Gardening Basics” offered kids the opportunity to learn the basics of growing their own food by starting with a strawberry plant. In addition, library staff showcased our Seed Library for further gardening needs.
Twenty-four people participated.
In partnership with Gold Coast Health Plan, Adult Services hosted a bilingual program on August 22 focusing on Men's Health.
Presented by health professionals Lisbet Hernandez and Carmen Moran, the session addressed critical topics such as preventive care, mental health and overall wellness, tailored specifically for men. This event highlighted the need for more targeted health discussions within the community, encouraging men to take proactive steps in managing their health.
To commemorate the 85th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, the library hosted a themed event featuring a film screening, crafts and a costume contest on August 24. The event brought
together 25 patrons, ranging from children to seniors, who enjoyed a nostalgic afternoon filled with sing-alongs and memorable movie moments. The costume contest added an
extra layer of excitement, with a child dressed as the Cowardly Lion winning a children's book bundle and an adult dressed as Dorothy winning an adult fiction book bundle. The event showcased the library's ability to create multi-generational experiences that resonate with the community.
Library Highlights
Camarillo Public Library
Library & RFBC Activity Report
Summer Reading Adventure: Science
Adventure of the Lost Treasure
Movie & Costume Contest: The Wizard
of Oz 85th Anniversary
Library & RFBC Activity Report - August 2024
Adult Literacy and ESL had 56 volunteer tutors and adult learners practicing reading, writing and speaking for a total of 293 hours throughout August. We had 25 active tutors with a total of 157 hours and 31 active adult learners with a total of 136 hours.
When YiYi and her tutor first started working together, one of YiYi’s goals was to be able to communicate with her child’s teacher and the other parents at her child’s preschool. Recently, YiYi shared with her tutor that she feels she has accomplished this goal. YiYi successfully communicated with several parents through messaging and even organized a party to celebrate the children finishing preschool. The party was a big success with many children, parents and the preschool teacher attending. YiYi felt a great sense of pride in her ability to communicate the plans and bring everyone together for such a fun and memorable event.
The Adult Literacy Center is now hosting four Conversation Groups every week. Three are in person and one is via Zoom, for a total of 18 in August. We had 94 participants from around the world practicing their listening and speaking skills with the support of 37 volunteer tutors and Adult Literacy/ELS Staff.
Literacy/ESL
ESL Associate Dave Carey in our
Adult Literacy Center
prepping for an August
Conversation Group
4101 Las Posas RoadCamarillo, CA 93010M-Th 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. F-Su 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.(805) 388-5222camarillolibrary.org Library & RFBC Activity Report - August 2024
RUSSELL FISCHER BUSINESS COLLECTION
This month's Reading Not Required, titled “The Money
Talk: This Time It's Personal," focused on personal
finance topics with a financial advisor from Women's
Economic Ventures. The program makes the RFBC
collection more accessible by holding thought-
provoking discussions in the library’s courtyard with the help of local content experts and Maegan Profeta, the
Business Services Coordinator. A family, including their tween daughter, attended the event to educate her
about finance and enable her to seek expert advice. The financial advisor discussed strategies to enhance their financial well-being, which included creating a budget
together, enrolling in a WEV class and establishing a
savings account for their daughter. Each participant
actively engaged in the discussion, contributing to a
productive and engaging session.
The RFBC Summer Reading Challenge was a success this year and increased its reach from last year. As part of the entry form, patrons were prompted to suggest programs that included résumé writing and financial literacy workshops. Prizes were gift cards to local small businesses including The Store at McGrath Farm, Deeply Rooted Camarillo and Waypoint Cafe.
RFBC hosted the final Get Your Small Business Online class for Women’s Economic Ventures. It was a success for the participants who each presented their small businesses to the class. Some of the business ideas included men’s outdoor wear, rentable driveways and candle making.
Reference questions this month included the following topics: interview follow-ups, using Data Axle for finding businesses and library services. These subjects will be kept in mind for future collection purchases and programming. Maegan attended meetings with the following groups this month on behalf of the RFBC: Libraries Build Business Communities, Ventura County SCORE and USPTO Women Collaborating for Success and Navigating the Innovation Ecosystem.
Beginning in September, RFBC will start a series of Expert Talks, where local experts will present insights on topics associated with the collection. Next month’s subject will be the socio-economic profile of families living in Ventura County and their challenges. It will be presented by Dr. Jamshid Damooei the Executive Director of the Center for Economics of Social Issues at California Lutheran University.
Operating within the Camarillo Public Library, the Russell Fischer Business Collection (RFBC) is embedded in the Camarillo business community and greater entrepreneur ecosystem. The RFBC provides professional and business development opportunities through special events and a curated collection of top business resources.
August 2024
39,653
4,843
4,624
1,902
1,558
618
6,283
August 2023
41,835
4,843
4,450
1,092
1,815
606 5,253
August 2024
9 3
1,016
4 August 2023
16 4
77 7
New Library Cards
Number of Programs
Programs - Attendees
Total Visitors
Daily Average
1,284 / 4,800
119 / 575
5,805 / 16,000
45,074 / 174,000
739 / 495
Performance Measures FY2024-25 YTD / Target
Physical Material Checkouts
eBook Checkouts
eAudiobook Checkouts
Digital Magazine Checkouts
Video Plays New Cards Issued Reference Inquiries Metrics and Statistics
RUSSELL FISCHER BUSINESS COLLECTION
Metrics and Statistics
CAMARILLO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Library & RFBC Activity Report - August 2024
July 2024
40,911
4,541
4,879
1,984
1,693 666
5,349
July 2023
41,604
4,694
4,351
1,012
1,932
555 5,046
Reference Inquiries
Programs
Programs - Attendees
Meetings
4101 Las Posas RoadCamarillo, CA 93010M-Th 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. F-Su 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.(805) 388-5222camarillolibrary.org