September 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 was delighted to showcaseCamarillo Reads: One City, One Book withbestselling author Rebecca Serle. Rebeccadiscussed her remarkable book, One ItalianSummer, before an engaging audience of 93participants in the Community Room on September28. Camarillo Councilmember and Library BoardPresident Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo introducedRebecca Serle and Library Director Mandy Nasr atthe program.
In the lead-up to this program, we hosted a dynamicseries of cultural events that deeply resonated withthe themes of One Italian Summer. These included amovie screening of Disney Pixar's Luca for kids, a“Brushes & Bites” painting event for teens, a creativewriting workshop with CSU Channel Islands, anavigating grief presentation with the Director ofGrief and Bereavement programs at LivingstonMemorial, a movie screening of Eat Pray Love with amosaic craft and a Taste of Italy dinner held at Bistro13. Over 250 people attended a Camarillo Readsprogram.
September means Back to School and thereopening of our Homework Center. We welcomedback students from kindergarten-8th grade to workon homework from 4 - 6 p.m. Mondays &Wednesdays. Library staff attended Back to SchoolNights at the following local high schools: CamarilloHigh School, Rancho Campana and Frontier HighSchool. Library staff talked to over 200 students andparents about library services and student success.
Library staff were excited to attend the End ofSummer Block Party in celebration of the City’s 60thanniversary at Constitution Park. For the duration ofOctober, the Library will display a tree made by stafffrom kidSTREAM. Children will be able to decoratethe tree at a special birthday storytime and craft onThursday, October 10.
Library Highlights
Camarillo Public Library
Library & RFBC Activity Report
Author Talk with Rebecca Serle
A Taste of Italy dinner held at Bistro 13
Library & RFBC Activity Report - September 2024
Library Director Mandy Nasr attended the City of Camarillo’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner on September 16. Over 240 volunteers were invited to the event. Library volunteers included teens, Adult Literacy tutors, Friends of the Library and Friends of the Library Board.
Library Volunteers
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) recognized Camarillo Public Library for its submission to their Innovations Initiative Award, Health and Wellness category. This recognition was awarded for the "Cam I Am Sustainable" initiative, which organized community discussions and events focused on promoting sustainable practices. ULC's annual Innovations Initiative showcases out-of-the-box thinking and successful library programs that revolutionize the field.
Circulation Manager and Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Levin (pictured left) was selected for California’s competitive library leadership program titled Catalyst. This cohort-based program will allow Levin to practice her leadership skills with other library professionals for 18 months. We are thrilled that she has been selected to represent Camarillo Public Library.
In addition, Levin is the Volunteer Council Facilitator for Ventura County. Every other month, Levin leads a discussion with over 23 local nonprofits and volunteer organizations. Next month, Levin is organizing a library tour and invited Ventura County Project Hope Deputy Jason Havelka and Listte Torres to give a discussion to the group about homeless resources.
Library Recognition
Adult Literacy and ESL had 54 volunteer tutors and adult learners practicing reading, writing and speaking for a total of 298 hours throughout September. We had 25 active tutors with a total of 176 hours and 29 active adult learners with a total of 122 hours.
We have a new High School graduate! Gloria, a 56-year-old grandmother, is our second learner to earn her High School Diploma through Career Online High School. We will honor all of our graduates in an upcoming Library Board of Trustees meeting.
The Adult Literacy Center is hosting four Conversation Groups a week. Three are in-person and one is via Zoom for a total of 16 in September. We had 99 participants from around the world who participated in practicing their listening and speaking skills with the support of 36 volunteer tutors and Adult Literacy/ESL Staff.
Literacy/ESL
Stephanie Levin
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 - September 2024
RUSSELL FISCHER BUSINESS COLLECTION
September was the beginning of Russell Fischer
Business Collection’s (RFBC) Expert Talks, where
local experts present insights on topics
associated with the RFBC. The expert was Dr.
Jamshid Damooei, the Executive Director of the
Center for Economics of Social Issues at
California Lutheran University. He presented on
the socio-economic profile of families living in
Ventura County and their challenges. Dr.
Damooei has over 40 years of experience in
Economics and was brimming with knowledge
and stats on Ventura County. Nine patrons
attended and responded positively to his style of
weaving the impact of these stats on the people
of Ventura County throughout his presentation.
Maegan Profeta, Business Services Coordinator, engaged in outreach at the West Ventura County Business Alliance’s Fall Business Expo on behalf of the RFBC. Maegan, along with Marketing Coordinator Cheyanne Walker, spoke with small business owners and entrepreneurs about the RFBC’s resources and services. Over 50 attended the Business Expo. People were delighted to hear about the free online databases, programs and materials that the RFBC has to offer. In addition, participants responded strongly to the Jr. Entrepreneur program and RFBC’s Farmworker Resource program.
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) recognized Maegan Profeta for her submission to their Innovations Initiative Award, Workforce and Economic Development category. She presented her work on Dear Cammie for the Russell Fischer Business Collection. ULC's annual Innovations Initiative showcases out-of-the-box thinking and successful library programs that revolutionize the field. Dear Cammie is a series of social media clips that Maegan created to educate workers about workplace culture and etiquette.
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.
Maegan Profeta & Cheyanne Walker
Sept. 2024
37,032
4,296
4,982
2,639
1,768
538
5,339
Sept. 2023
38,709
4,555
4,330
1,416
1,836
531 4,839
Sept. 2024
10 2
78 7
Sept. 2023
15 4
103
8 New Library Cards
Number of Programs
Programs - Attendees
Total Visitors
Daily Average
1,822 / 4,800
162 / 575
6,930 / 16,000
67,241 / 174,000
747 / 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 - September 2024
Aug. 2024
39,653
4,843
4,624
1,902
1,558 618
6,283
Aug. 2023
41,835
4,843
4,450
1,092
1,815
606 5,253
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