The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

Local Ojai author Catherine Ann Jones visits Ojai Library on Saturday, May 25, 2 to 3 pm to give a talk on her book East & West: Stories of India.

She is the award-winning author of eight books including Heal Your Self with Writing. Her latest, East & West, is described as a captivating book in which contrasting and complementary aspects of Indian culture are explored through stories of seekers, ordinary Indians, heroes, frauds, and victims.

Catherine Ann Jones has played major roles in over fifty productions on and off-Broadway, later becoming an award-winning playwright. She has authored eleven plays produced in and out of NYC and films including Unlikely Angel (Dolly Parton), The Christmas Wife, and the popular television series, Touched by an Angel. A Fulbright Scholar to India studying shamanism, she has taught for several years at The New School University in NYC and USC Film School in LA, as well writing workshops globally. To learn more, visit wayofstory.com.

Ventura County Library launches its Read, Renew, Repeat summer reading program on May 15, 2024. During the next few months, the library will host a range of free activities for children and teens to encourage and support a love of reading. Participants can win prizes for reaching their reading goals.

“We’ve planned a wonderful program for children and teens that make the library a great place to read, learn, and discover what’s available,” said Molly Krill, Youth Services Manager. The benefits of summer reading extend far beyond academic goals. Reading also promotes empathy, critical thinking, and creativity, nurturing essential skills and experiences that will serve our community.

From STEAM activities and storytimes to craft workshops and book clubs, there’s always something happening at the library. Participants may register at vencolibrary.beanstack.org and record their reading with opportunities to win prizes for reaching reading goals.  Each branch has a set of 4 Disneyland tickets to give away as a grand prize.  Youth may visit their local branch to choose a free new book to add to their personal collection when signing up, a special sustainable prize for completing 500 minutes of reading and another free book for completing 1000 minutes.

Get a Vehicle Day Use Pass for California State Parks at your library.
In partnership with California State Parks and the California State Library, free State Parks vehicle-day use passes are available for circulation to help Californians access beautiful parks, lakes, beaches, and monuments in the State Parks system free.  The Library Parks Pass is valid for vehicle day use at 200+ participating state park units of the California State Park System operated by State Parks.   Passes circulate for 21 days and are renewable if no other customers are waiting.  For more information, go to https://www.vencolibrary.org/library-things/parks-pass or call 805 626-READ.

The Ventura Friends of the Library Bookstore in E.P. Foster Library
2nd  Look Books
is now open  7 days a week,
Monday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm  and  Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
Find your beach books, jigsaw puzzles and more summer reading for kids!   New donations arrive every week and the stock in our store is regularly refreshed.
With our extended hours, we could use more volunteers to staff the store.  If you would like to help, please stop by the store and speak to a volunteer  or email [email protected].

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