August 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.
The library concluded its Summer Reading Adventure with a medieval twist: a Family Renaissance Fair. Nearly 550 attendees tried their hand at archery, took part in a gnome scavenger hunt and enjoyed decorative face painting. Guests also experienced an authentic sword demonstration from the local Society for Creative Anachronism. Leading up to the event, the Children’s Department hosted a medieval music performance with the Santa Barbara Community Early Music Ensemble, drawing 155 attendees, and led a crown-decorating craft attended by 110 children.
Library Highlights
Camarillo Public Library
Library & RFBC Activity Report
While programs play a big role in the success of the Summer Reading Adventure, the event also celebrates and promotes reading. This year, 1,141 readers signed up for the challenge and logged a total of 12,557 hours of reading by summer’s end.
Medieval Music Performance
Family Renaissance Fair
In August, Adult Literacy and ESL had 71 volunteer tutors and adult learners practicing reading, writing and speaking for a combined 360 hours. Of these, 32 active tutors contributed 165 hours, while 39 adult learners logged 195 hours.
The Adult Literacy Center continued hosting four weekly Conversation Groups—three in person and one via Zoom—for a total of 15 sessions. Seventy-three participants from around the world practiced listening and speaking with support from 39 volunteer tutors and Literacy staff.
We are proud to honor our newest high school graduate! Cristina L. earned her diploma and a certificate in Office Management through the Career Online High School program. When applying for the scholarship, she shared:
“By obtaining my high school diploma and then furthering my education in college, I will make myself eligible to apply for jobs with higher salaries and better benefits. It also makes me a good role model for my family.”
Library & RFBC Activity Report - August 2025
Literacy/ESL
Library Highlights (Cont’d.)
Laughs at the Library
To keep things cool this summer, the Adult Services
Department presented Laughs at the Library with comic
duo Tom and Stephanie Clark, who performed an age-
appropriate set for an audience of 60.
With school back in session, the Teen Advisory Board
(TAB) held elections for the September–February term, with eight teens participating. Teen Librarian Naomi Wolfrey also attended Rancho Campana High School’s Back to School
Night, where she made library cards, handed out books
and shared library resources with 68 attendees.
To support sustainability, the library hosted Introduction to Hydroponics: Growing More in Less Space, a beginner workshop with local master gardeners. The session explored commercial and DIY hydroponic systems, tools, maintenance and the best plants for hydroponic growth. Twenty- two people attended.
L i b r a r y & R F B C A c t i v i t y R e p o r t - A u g u s t 2 0 2 5 P a g e 3 o f 4
R U S S E L L F I S C H E R B U S I N E S S C O L L E C T I O N O p e r a t i n g w i t h i n t h e C a m a r i l l o P u b l i c L i b r a r y , t h e R u s s e l l F i s c h e r B u s i n e s s C o l l e c t i o n ( R F B C ) i s e m b e d d e d i n t h e C a m a r i l l o b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y a n d g r e a t e r e n t r e p r e n e u r e c o s y s t e m . T h e R F B C p r o v i d e s p r o f e s s i o n a l a n d b u s i n e s s d e v e l o p m e n t o p p o r t u n i t i e s t h r o u g h s p e c i a l e v e n t s a n d a c u r a t e d c o l l e c t i o n o f t o p b u s i n e s s r e s o u r c e s .
The Russell Fischer Business Collection (RFBC)
wrapped up its Summer Reading Adventure on
August 17, reaching a record high with 146
participants. This success was driven by digitizing the program, a format that will be maintained moving
forward to boost awareness and engagement.
The Summer on a Budget digital resource, launched June 1, concluded this month with 2,038 visits.
This initiative compiled local, budget-friendly activities, events, transportation options and staycation ideas exclusively for Ventura County. Its popularity has sparked interest in creating future guides focused on other personal finance topics.
Business Services Coordinator Maegan Profeta, who regularly collaborates with Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), recently hosted Berenize Ayala, a WEV Program Officer and member of the upcoming Ventura County Leadership Academy Cohort XXXI. Berenize shadowed library operations, attended Preschool Storytime and an English Language Learners Conversation Group and met staff across departments. She described the experience as “a great opportunity to learn more about the day-to-day at the library and meet so many welcoming staff.” Looking ahead to September, RFBC will offer Quick Résumé Reviews, providing 20-minute sessions with personalized feedback and resources. RFBC will also host a WEV Financial Empowerment Workshop to help participants set meaningful financial goals and connect with others for accountability.
Two RFBC Summer Reading Winners
Participants completed a bingo-style challenge,
earning tickets for a prize drawing. Winners received
$50 gift cards to one of four small local businesses:
The Bookworm, Café Ficelle, Malone’s Metaphysical
and Deeply Rooted. Recipients included a teenager,
a senior, a mother and a college student.
August 2025
51,074
5,331
6,265
2,992
1,364
708
7,214
August 2024
39,653
4,843
4,624
1,902
1,558
618
6,283
August 2025
9 2
211
7 August 2024
9 3
1,016
4 Physical Material Checkouts
eBook Checkouts
eAudiobook Checkouts
Digital Magazine Checkouts
Video Plays
New Cards Issued
Reference Inquiries
M e t r i c s a n d S t a t i s t i c s
R U S S E L L F I S C H E R B U S I N E S S C O L L E C T I O N M e t r i c s a n d S t a t i s t i c s
C A M A R I L L O P U B L I C L I B R A R Y
L i b r a r y & R F B C A c t i v i t y R e p o r t - A u g u s t 2 0 2 5 P a g e 4 o f 4
July 2025
53,373
5,482
6,186
2,559
1,410
663
7,418
July 2024
40,911
4,740
4,541
1,984
1,693
666
5,349
Reference Inquiries
Programs
Programs - Attendees
Meetings
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