January 2026
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.
Library Highlights
Camarillo Public Library
Library & RFBC Activity Report
This month, the library ushered in 2026 with
programming that focused on health, organization
and mindfulness. Youth Services staff
implemented an uplifting affirmation wall for
patrons to write positive affirmations about
themselves. Over 200 people participated. To
break the winter blues, a family yoga session and a
“snow” ball fight were offered for families to spend
time together. Forty people attended the yoga
session, and 50 people enjoyed the “snow.”
For our adult community, library staff invited
Dignity Health to present information on
prediabetes and diabetes. Twenty-five patrons
learned more about the disease and connected
through personal stories, experiences and shared
tips. The library also hosted a Holocaust
Remembrance Day program on January 24 with
local social justice activist Shoshana Brower.
Twenty-one people listened to Brower’s research,
travel and personal interviews regarding interfaith
solidarity in Albania during World War II.
Afterwards, a few members of the audience
shared personal Holocaust stories from their own
families.
P r e d i a b e t e s a n d D i a b e t e s P r e s e n t a t i o n “ S n o w ” B a l l F i g h t
Library & RFBC Activity Report - January 2026
Literacy / ESL
Adult Literacy and ESL had 71 volunteer tutors and
adult learners practicing reading, writing and
speaking for a total of 374 hours throughout
December. This included 30 active tutors
contributing 193 hours and 41 active adult learners
participating for a total of 181 hours.
The Adult Literacy Center hosted four Conversation
Groups each week—three in person and one via
Zoom—for a total of 15 sessions in January. Fifty-six
participants from around the world practiced
listening and speaking skills with the support of 35
volunteer tutors and Adult Literacy/ESL staff.
We recently reached an exciting milestone with our 10th Career Online High School (COHS) graduate. When the Adult Literacy Center Coordinator sent her a congratulatory message, the graduate wrote back, “Thank you so much for your kind words! I feel complete.” We also celebrated another learner who passed the DMV test and now has a driver’s license, opening the door to greater independence and more opportunities in daily life and work.
Common New Year resolutions usually bring promises for self-improvement. But how long do these resolutions usually last? To support patrons in building lasting habits, the library is offering a three- month series titled “Modern Home Economics.” To kick things off, the Russell Fischer Business Collection and Adult Services invited an accredited financial counselor, Shelina Sayani, to discuss personal finance. Sixteen people learned the basics of building a personal budget using real-life expenses. The second program focused on organization, with an emphasis on both home and digital spaces. Personal finance and organization workshops were also offered separately to teens, with a total of ten people participating.
The library made strong gains in circulation in 2025. The library’s Collection Management Team reported that we increased our circulation by 23.5%! We are grateful that our library community continues to enjoy the various materials we have to offer.
Library Highlights (Cont’d.)
C o n v e r s a t i o n G r o u p
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 - J a n u a r y 2 0 2 6 P a g e 3 o f 4
RFBC also offered a Fraud and Scams Prevention Workshop led by a Chase Community Manager. The workshop helped participants learn how to identify common scams and the steps to take if they or a loved one becomes a victim of fraud or identity theft. The presenter and attendees explored cautionary tales; for example, a local Camarillo resident shared her experience of falling victim to a scam involving a fraudulent delivery text message as a warning to others. Nine adults attended the workshop.
The Modern Home Economics series will continue in February with two additional programs: Emergency Preparedness and Healthy Diet on a Budget. In the Emergency Preparedness workshop, participants will learn budget-friendly ways to stock an emergency kit and begin building one based on Ready Ventura County’s recommendations. For Healthy Diet on a Budget, Registered Dietitian Kelly McHugh, MS, RD, and St. John’s Hospital Market Director of Clinical Nutrition, will discuss how to eat a balanced diet. In addition, McHugh will showcase how to create a healthy meal plan and stretch your grocery budget.
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) launched a new program series, Modern Home Economics, developed to meet library patrons’ combined interest in life skills and personal finance. This series was created in response to an increase in patron requests for “how to” programming.
The second workshop focused on organization and was
presented by a professional organizer, who shared how to use the KonMari Method® to organize homes, starting with clothing.
Twenty-four patrons participated, and each attendee received a resource guide.
The first workshop featured an Accredited Financial Counselor, who provided a framework for income, needs and priorities, with examples for Ventura County residents across two life stages (new professionals and those approaching retirement). Sixteen patrons participated in the discussion and shared positive feedback on the presenter’s knowledge and ability to make complex topics accessible.
Organization Workshop
Jan. 2026
48,903
5,901
6,726
3,200
1,541
788
7,190
Jan. 2025
43,227
4,877
5,317
2,505
1,669
574
5,286
Jan. 2026
9 3
49 12
Jan. 2025
12 3
54 10
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 - J a n u a r y 2 0 2 6 P a g e 4 o f 4
Dec. 2025
42,824
5,297
6,195
3,106
1,360
564
6,120
Dec. 2024
42,412
4,443
4,989
2,391
1,745
356
4,271
Reference Inquiries
Programs
Programs - Attendees
Meetings
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