September 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.
This month the library was delighted to present Camarillo Reads:
One City, One Book with bestselling author Lisa See. See discussed her captivating book, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, before an engaged audience of 177 attendees in the Community Room on September 27. Camarillo Councilmember and Library Board President Dr. Martita Martinez-Bravo introduced Lisa See and Library Director Mandy Nasr at the program.
Library Highlights
Camarillo Public Library
Library & RFBC Activity Report
Chinese Tea Blend Workshop
Camarillo Reads: Author Talk
In the lead-up to this event, the library hosted a series of cultural programs inspired by Lady Tan’s Circle of Women and deeply connected to Chinese history and culture. Highlights included a tour of The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, a Chinese tea blend workshop, an introduction to traditional Chinese medicine with a local practitioner, a screening of a Chinese American film documentary produced by the Ventura County Chinese American Historical Society and Chinese art workshops for kids and teens. Collectively, more than 380 people attended a Camarillo Reads program.
To create opportunities for youth engagement and leadership, the library also launched a Teen Civic Engagement Workshop for ages 13-18. Senior Management Analyst Lisette Torres introduced the concept of civic engagement, shared examples of past youth initiatives and led teens in an active discussion about the changes they would like to see in Camarillo. Thirteen teens participated, and library staff will develop their ideas into meaningful activities throughout the year.
Library Volunteers
We are proud to celebrate a new Career Online High School graduate! Elias became our seventh learner to earn a high school diploma. In his scholarship application, Elias shared: “Having a high school diploma interests me because having it will give me better opportunities on my job. A high school diploma also can help me in my everyday life. Going into a career could bring better opportunities. Being able to learn new things could help me resolve problems.
Having a high school diploma also could help me to go to the university.” All new graduates will be honored at a Library Board of Trustees meeting next spring.
Library & RFBC Activity Report - September 2025
Literacy/ESL
Teen Civic Engagement WorkshopAutism Society Ventura County announced that the Camarillo Library has been selected
Library Director Mandy Nasr attended the
City of Camarillo’s Volunteer Recognition
Dinner on September 17. More than 240
volunteers were invited, including library
volunteers such as teens, Adult Literacy
tutors, Friends of the Library and Friends of
the Library Board members.
Library Recognition
as the 2025 Awesome in Autism Awardee for
Community Partner of the Year. This award Community Partner of the Year. This award recognizes the library’s efforts in creating sensory- based programs and supporting Autistic individuals in Ventura County. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 16, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley.
In September, 69 volunteer tutors and adult learners
practiced reading, writing and speaking for a combined
352 hours. Of these, 26 tutors contributed 146 hours and 43 adult learners participated for a total of 206 hours. The Adult Literacy Center also hosted four weekly Conversation Groups (three in-person and one on
Zoom), offering 18 sessions in September. A total of 101 participants from around the world practiced their English skills with support from 23 tutors and staff.
COHS Graduate Elias
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 - S e p t e m b e r 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 .
This month Business Services Coordinator Maegan Profeta organized 20-minute Quick Résumé Reviews, providing personalized feedback and resources to 22 Ventura County residents ranging from college students to semi-retired job seekers. Each participant left with an improved résumé and a sense of encouragement as they pursue local employment opportunities.
L i b r a r i e s a s L a u n c h p a d s R e e l
RFBC also spotlighted Libraries as Launchpads, a self-guided course for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The program helps participants evaluate business ideas, identify customer bases and adapt to challenges. The library’s Instagram Reel promoting the program featured a playful video of a dog “launching” in front of the library, connecting to the theme of launching a business.
Additionally, RFBC hosted a Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Financial Empowerment Workshop, designed to help participants take control of their finances, set goals and build accountability.
Attendees praised both the speaker and the program, with one participant noting they planned to enroll their teenager in a future workshop.
Looking ahead, October at RFBC will feature the third annual Jr.
Entrepreneur Program, serving youth ages 9-17. Through
workshops, resources and collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo, participants will develop entrepreneurial skills and showcase their products at the Jr. Entrepreneur Marketplace during the Christmas Marketplace on Saturday, December 13.
Upcoming programs also include a Cyber Safety Workshop, presented by a Chase Bank Community Manager, offering practical advice on online safety, and an author talk with Camarillo-based educator and author Jake Cousineau. He will present his book, Face Your Financial Fears: The Simple Guide to Fixing Your Relationship with Money, providing participants with tools to budget effectively, avoid common financial mistakes and build long- term wealth.
Sept. 2025
48,983
5,218
5,789
2,935
1,397
700
6,968
Sept. 2024
37,032
4,296
4,982
2,369
1,768
538
5,339
Sept. 2025
8 6
2,104
7 Sept. 2024
10 2
78 7
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 - S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 5 P a g e 4 o f 4
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
Reference Inquiries
Programs
Programs - Attendees
Meetings
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