May 2025
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.
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, the library proudly hosted a poetry reading featuring local author and scholar Siddharth Mehrotra. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of 21 patrons, all eager to hear selections from Mehrotra’s newly published poetry
collection titled Songs of Going South. On Saturday, May 17 over 100 patrons immersed themselves in the vibrant
beauty of Hawaiian culture through the traditional arts of hula (dance), oli (chanting), mele (music) and other cultural expressions. This captivating experience was presented by Ka Hale Hula O Pilialohaokalani O Hilo. On the final day of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month 78 people received a real treat from certified kimono instructor and dresser Akane Mashimo with an “Art of Kimono” program.
Mashimo guided attendees through the rich history of the kimono, exploring its origins, cultural significance and the evolution of its many styles over centuries.
Library Highlights
Camarillo Public Library
Library & RFBC Activity Report
Art of Kimono
Local Author Judith Krieger Macpherson
May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Youth
Services held a special storytime featuring Leah
Lang from Chabad of Camarillo. Thirty-five
attendees joined in as Lang read Shoham's Bangle,
a heartwarming story about tradition, family and the
importance of heritage. In addition, the library
hosted local author Judith Krieger Macpherson to
talk about her book, Dreaming in Medieval: The Life
of Pablo de Santa María and Beyond. Fifty-three
attendees learned about Macpherson’s inspiration
for the book and concluded with a book signing.
Library & RFBC Activity Report - May 2025
Adult Literacy and ESL had 56 volunteer tutors and adult learners practicing reading, writing and speaking for a total of 283 hours throughout May. We had 26 active tutors with a total of 123 hours and 30 active adult learners with a total of 160 hours.
The Adult Literacy Center continued hosting three weekly Conversation Groups. Two are in person and one is via Zoom for a total of 12 in May. We had 77 participants from around the world who practiced their listening and speaking skills with support from 26 volunteer tutors and Adult Literacy/ESL staff.
To honor National Bicycle Safety Month this May, Adult Services held a 3-hour bike safety workshop led by Larry Abele from BikeVentura County. This workshop covered information such as how to ride safely with traffic, rights and responsibilities on the road and emergency maneuvers, as well as proper bike and helmet fit. The library hopes to have more bike safety workshops in the future to promote sustainability through alternate means of transportation.
Literacy/ESL
Library Highlights (Cont’d.)
As part of City Council’s goal to provide a safe and enriching environment where people can live, work and play, the library is hosting an ongoing Highlighting Local Art series to support public arts and introduce ways to celebrate the identity and history of Camarillo. This month, the library was thrilled to welcome acclaimed printmaker Mollie Doctrow, a resident artist at Studio Channel Islands. Twelve patrons gathered to witness Doctrow’s engaging presentation, which offered a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process and the evolution of her new and soon to be installed public art project. Doctrow showcased a stunning collection of her hand-carved woodcut prints, each depicting iconic and beloved sites around Camarillo such as St. John’s Seminary, the Camarillo Ranch Barn and the Somis Nut House. With extraordinary attention to detail and a reverent eye for local plant and animal life, Doctrow’s work evokes both nostalgia and pride. These originals will serve as the basis for a series of metal plaques to be installed as part of a forthcoming public art installation.
Weekly Conversation Groups
Tutor Debbie had this to report about her
learner: “Benita is beginning to trust herself
to answer open-ended questions. She
used to freeze, thinking there was a ‘correct’
answer she didn’t know. I’ve been
explaining and modeling that these
questions are asking for her opinion, not a
prespecified answer. Now, she’s much
more relaxed with them.” It is inspiring to
witness someone gaining in confidence.
Library & RFBC Activity Report - May 2025
RUSSELL FISCHER BUSINESS COLLECTION
Stock Market Boot Camp, a consistently well-
received program, returned this year featuring a
financial advisor from Duncan-Newman
Associates. The series of three workshops
provided attendees with foundational knowledge
of the stock market. This year, the program’s
relevance seemed heightened by current financial
news. In the first workshop, patrons showed
significant emotions and interest in discussing the
stock market. Conversations among attendees
included creating wealth for future generations,
managing retirement funds and exploring market
understanding for potential engagement. The final
workshop concluded with patrons exhibiting a
greater sense of calm as they had a better
knowledge of basic stock market principles.
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.
The Russell Fischer Business Collection (RFBC) welcomed a new program in May titled “New Beginnings: Job Search Workshop.” This program targeted individuals navigating career transitions due to personal choice or job displacement. The workshop was facilitated by a seasoned former HR Director who shared her extensive experience in interviewing and hiring. Participants gained valuable skills in crafting effective résumés that showcased their qualifications and in interview techniques.
The presenter also provided attendees with strategies for managing job loss, cultivating a positive mindset and utilizing online platforms to enhance their job search. The program attracted a diverse group of attendees, spanning from teenagers to senior citizens. A teenager discussed the difficulty of finding a job with no work experience, and a semi-retired patron talked about having too much work experience on his résumé. The presenter talked about workable solutions to both issues. All participants expressed their gratitude for the help and information provided.
Hasan Najmuddin with Stock
Market Boot Camp
Library & RFBC Activity Report - May 2025
Business Services Coordinator Maegan Profeta continued to provide job search assistance and résumé review services to patrons. Maegan assisted a former teacher from another country. This patron was out of the workforce due to family responsibilities and is now facing financial changes.
Making things more challenging, the patron feels overwhelmed by the job searching process and is concerned about their English proficiency. Maegan was able to assist by providing contact information for local schools that provide teaching certifications and advised on American communication norms with college representatives. The patron expressed sincere gratitude for Maegan's time and support.
Upcoming June programs include the start of RFBC’s Summer Reading Challenge. Participants in the RFBC Summer Reading Challenge can earn tickets for a gift card drawing to local businesses. June also marks the launch of Summer on a Budget, a digital resource with tips and ideas for patrons to maximize their Ventura County summer fun without breaking the bank. In addition, RFBC is excited to present a program titled “Midyear Manifest: Vision Board Playshop,” which will help attendees achieve professional or personal goals.
RUSSELL FISCHER BUSINESS COLLECTION
May 2025
45,781
4,866
5,624
2,552
1,517
462
5,045
May 2024
37,192
4,789
4,733
2,401
1,475
484 4,781
May 2025
8 4
47 14
May 2024
14 5
52 4
New Library Cards
Number of Programs
Programs - Attendees
Total Visitors
Daily Average
5,783 / 4,800
532 / 575
23,368 / 16,000
239,833 / 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 - May 2025
Apr. 2025
45,842
4,825
5,559
2,631
1,526 496
4,850
Apr. 2024
38,506
4,615
4,619
1,637
1,372
486 5,427
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