March 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
March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate, the library hosted a live performance presented by the local American Association of University Women on March 15th. The
performance highlighted the lives and accomplishments of Jane Goodall, renowned scientist and environmentalist; Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic/Latina woman in space and first Hispanic/Latina director of NASA Space Center; and Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author best known for the Little House on the Prairie series. Fifty-one people attended the performance.
Spring is in the air! This month, the library hosted various workshops to promote our local Seed Library. First, we focused on growing ecosystem supportive seeds, such as Lemon Bee Balm, with 21 people attending. Second, we highlighted a “Growing a Salsa Garden” seed kit that included seeds for tomatoes, onions and cilantro with 25 participants. Third, Ventura County Master Gardener led a drought-tolerate
garden workshop with 20 people participating. Finally, the library provided a pressed flower bookmark kit for 30 people.
Seed Library
A m e r i c a n A s s o c i a t i o n o f U n i v e r s i t y W o m e n Library & RFBC Activity Report - March 2026
Literacy / ESL
Adult Literacy and ESL had 71 volunteer tutors and adult learners practice reading, writing and speaking for a total of 433 hours throughout March. This included 30 active tutors contributing 221 hours and 41 active adult learners participating for a total of 212 hours.
The Adult Literacy Center hosted four Conversation Groups each week - three in person and one via Zoom - for a total of 17 sessions in March. Seventy-six participants from around the world practiced their listening and speaking skills with the support of 36 volunteer tutors and Adult Literacy/ESL staff.
One of our learners, Molly, met her goal by reading independently to her 8-year old daughter.
She also stated that she began having conversations with a new neighbor and feels more comfortable speaking in English since starting the program in June.
The library's new Teen Civic Engagement Club (Ages 13-
18) has set a priority this year to learn about their local city government. The intention of this education is so teens can be active participants relating to their concerns and ideas in future City Council meetings. This month the library was excited to host Mayor David Tennessen, who discussed his career path as well as address questions about the local desalter.
In addition, the library welcomed Assistant to the City Manager Michelle D’Anna, who discussed her experience
working in the former City of Camarillo’s Teen Council when she was a teenager. Both of our special speakers provided inspiration to our teens to become active members in the City of Camarillo. On March 31, the Teen Civic Engagement Club took a special field trip to City Chambers by using Dial- A-Ride for transportation from the library to City Hall. Staff from the City Clerk’s Office provided a “mock” City agenda and encouraged teens to practice talking on a microphone for future City Council meetings. Seven teens participated in the field trip.
Library Highlights (Cont’d.)
Assistant to the City Manager, Michelle D’Anna
Mayor David Tennessen
Russell Fischer Business Collection (RFBC) offered four programs this month. "Ask an HR Expert: Job Help" offered insider advice to job seekers from an expert HR panel: Wendy Levy, the Director of Human Resources for the City of Camarillo; Laura Martinez, the President/CEO of HR Force Inc.; Nidia Rodriguez, the Associate Director of Human Resources for Meissner. Business Services Coordinator Maegan Profeta served as the panel moderator and posed questions that would assist local job seekers.
Topics discussed included the best ways to find a job in Ventura County, AI and résumés, and negotiating salary and benefits. Nineteen people attended the panel.
RFBC was excited to offer a "Vision Board Playshop” with motivational expert Deborah Deras. Twenty-three participants aligned their goals with a vision-board exercise. Attendees then dove into a hands-on activity, learning valuable tools for a professional goal setting.
RFBC concluded the final two workshops in our Modern Home Economics series. In a workshop involving hobbies, eleven participants learned about local affordable hobby resources presented by Maegan Profeta and Adult Librarian Jade Mejia. In our second workshop we offered thrifting basics with local stylist Sophia Hall of Make Good. Eleven participants attended and expressed appreciation on how the entire series approached affordability.
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 - M a r c h 2 0 2 6 P a g e 3 o f 4
Maegan Profeta and select library staff attended the West Ventura County Business Alliance's Women's Business Conference earlier in March. The event featured an inspiring keynote address by Sylvia Acevedo, who encouraged attendees to forge their own paths in business and life. Maegan successfully used the conference as a networking opportunity with local partners. Specifically, she established a connection with a contact from OceanAir Federal Credit Union, leading to a collaboration on a series of teen financial literacy programs scheduled later this year.
To celebrate Financial Literacy Month in April, RFBC is offering two new resources: Personal Finance Starter Kits, with worksheets and trackers for positive financial habits, and Money Matters: Financial Independence for Teens, a digital guide by an Accredited Financial Counselor. Additionally, RFBC will host Financial Empowerment for Women programs in both English and Spanish, presented by Women’s Economic Ventures. The successful teen program, Summer Hustle 101: A Teen’s Guide to Landing a Summer Job, will also return in April.
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 .
A s k a n H R E x p e r t
V i s i o n B o a r d P l a y s h o p
Mar. 2026
47,786
5,464
6,763
3,431
1,642
665
8,261
Mar. 2025
50,341
5,074
5,981
2,738
1,811
576
5,664
Mar. 2026
0 4
64 5
Mar. 2025
12 3
3,896
11 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 - M a r c h 2 0 2 6 P a g e 4 o f 4
Feb. 2026
44,215
5,023
5,894
2,870
1,436
692
6,687
Feb. 2025
42,537
4,519
5,010
2,316
1,747
539
5,299
Reference Inquiries
Programs
Programs - Attendees
Meetings
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