By Mary Olson –
Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Book Sale on Saturday, September 6, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, at the Vons grocery at Telegraph & Victoria (6040 Telegraph Road), Ventura. Fall & Winter Holiday Books for adults & children will be featured. Other categories include Fiction & Non-Fiction; Vintage & Collectible; Large Print; Young Adult, Children’s; Graphic Novels & Manga; Children’s Audiobooks; Puzzles, DVDs & CDs.
The Friends of the Library also operate a bookstore, 2nd Look Books, located on the 1st floor of E.P. Foster Library. The store offers large collections of art, history and classic books, along with many jigsaw puzzles – verified that all pieces are included. All for great prices! For all of September, a large collection of “Great Courses” sets will be on display. Each set includes CDs or DVDs and a book. Used sets are priced at $5.00 and new at $10.00.
Ventura Friends of the Library is an organization of volunteers who raise funds for the libraries of Ventura through selling donated books. Proceeds from these sales help fund library programming and add books to the libraries’ collections. New volunteers are always welcome. Volunteers are needed to staff the bookstore at E.P. Foster and the periodic large sales, as well as to sort donated books and prepare them for sale. The Friends also sell books through eBay and need volunteers to help with packing and shipping. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please email bookstore@venturafriendsofthelibrary.org.
Local Ojai Author Len Leatherwood will visit the Ojai Library at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 23 to give a talk on her book Hope in a Time of Dying, a deeply moving story set in 1994 at the height of the AIDS epidemic. The novel explores the complexities of truth-telling, family loyalty, and personal transformation through the eyes of a woman who moves her family to Los Angeles to support her HIV-positive brother. This event will include a reading from the book, a behind-the-scenes look at its real-life inspiration, and a discussion of how fiction can help us face hard truths with compassion and courage. Len’s work has appeared in numerous literary magazines and anthologies, and she writes a widely read blog on writing, family, and everyday life at lenleatherwood.com.
Master Gardeners will return to Hill Road Library for a Master Gardener Fall Learning Series! These classes are for new and experienced gardeners alike to explore different techniques, expand on existing knowledge, and meet fellow local gardening enthusiasts! Presented in cooperation with the UC Master Gardeners of Ventura County and their generous volunteer educators. The first session features “Raised Bed Gardening” on Tuesday, September 16th, 4:30 pm with Master Gardener Lee Rosenboom.
Ventura County Human Services Agency and Ventura County Library have partnered to share information about BenefitsCal in September at E.P. Foster Library. BenefitsCal.com is a statewide portal where Californians can apply for, and renew, benefits like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs. All community members interested in learning more about the BenefitsCal website are welcome to attend either session on Tuesday, September 9, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm or Saturday, September 13, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at E.P. Foster Library. Each session will feature a presentation led by Human Services representatives, followed by a Q&A portion to address benefit-related questions. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Antonio Apodaca, Program Administrator, at Antonio.Apodaca@venturacounty.gov.
