The Bookmark
by Jill Forman
As I am writing this, we have been placed on a “Stay at Home” order again. The good news for us is: the libraries will be open for pickup, and the Friends’ Online Bookstore can continue its pickups on Tuesdays and Saturdays. As we all know, everything is changeable so check the websites if/when there are new public health directives.
Regardless, the Ventura County Library system is working for the community, with many offerings online. And the Ventura Friends of the Library are there also, behind the scenes much of the time, generating funds for programs and events. Libraries are a vibrant and important part of getting everyone through this stressful time!
Let’s take a look at some of the online offerings available this month:
Storytimes – Stories and songs every Monday through Saturday at 10:30.
Bilingual storytime Mondays at 3:30 pm. Visit Ventura County Library’s Facebook page and the live video will automatically start.
Live Bedtime Stories – Join Ms. Mayra for bilingual bedtime stories every Tuesday at 7pm. Join Ms. Cherry for bedtime stories every Thursday at 7pm. Visit the library’s Facebook page and the live video will automatically start.
Steam Storytime – Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:00 am
Art Lessons Live – Join Miss Kat for a drawing demo every Wednesday at 3:30 pm! Each week, she will show you how to draw a different children’s book character. Bring your favorite drawing tool and a piece of paper. Visit the library’s Facebook page and the video will automatically start.
Minecraft Mondays – Join the Minecraft server every Monday from 4-6 pm.
To join in on the fun, participants must have parental permission and own a personal Minecraft Java Edition license (PC or MAC computers only) and use Minecraft Version 1.16.1. Please send your request to join to the Minecraft Librarian.
Virtual Teen Advisory Group – 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the Month – 5-6 PMFor more information, contact [email protected]
The Online Book Club will be continuing; here is the schedule for the first three months:
January – The Feather Thief – Kirk Wallace Johnson
February – The Fire Next Time – James Baldwin
March – The Vanishing Half – Britt Bennett
The Book Club meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. (no meeting in December.) To sign up, email [email protected].
And, speaking of the Friends’ Online Bookstore, our intrepid bookstore operator Leslie Bellmore reported a $100 day recently! Amazing. Here is a message from Leslie:
“New categories: Holiday Items for Everyone, with subcategories Puzzles, Holiday Movies, Holiday Music and Great Gift Ideas; under Non-fiction – subcategories Local Interest and Recreation/Hobbies. We have also expanded our cookbook section and added hundreds of great new youth fiction titles.
Why pay shipping when you can buy here and support your local library? In January we will be focusing on health, fitness and cooking.
We appreciate your support as we move our bookstore online. All sales support your local libraries. We aim to have the best local used book shop experience in town.”
