By Mary Olson –
Living With Our Wild Neighbors: National Park Service biologist Mary Logan will visit Hill Road Library on Tuesday, September 23, 5 pm to present an introduction to the remarkable wildlife in and around the Santa Monica Mountains and the ongoing conservation research in the park. Discover the unique challenges animals face while living along the urban edge and explore practical ways we can prevent conflict with wildlife in our neighborhoods and help conserve local wildlife populations. This event is free and open to the public and no pre-registration is required. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry at linda.cherry@venturacounty.gov
The One County, One Book community reading title selection for 2025 is The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel. The Ventura County Library’s One County, One Book initiative is designed to unite the community through a shared reading experience. By encouraging residents across Ventura County to read the same book and participate in related activities the program sparks conversation and fosters connection. Printed copies of The Art Thief are available to borrow at all branches and digital eBook and eAudio copies are available to borrow through cloudLibrary.
The Hill Road Library Book Club will discuss The Art Thief on Tuesday, September 30, 4 – 5 pm. Saticoy Library will host a discussion of the book on Saturday, October 4, 10:30 – 11:30 am.
The author and journalist Michael Finkel will make a special appearance at the Pavilion at the Museum of Ventura County at 2 pm on Saturday, October 11. The event is free, no reservations required.
Ventura Friends of the Library will hold their Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, October 5, 1 – 3 pm in E.P. Foster Library Topping Room. Our guest speaker will be Elisabeth Haggblade, who will discuss her memoir Trauterose: Growing Up in Postwar Munich. Her memoir recounts her childhood in Germany after World War II. Orphaned at birth during WWII, she was fostered by a former S.S. officer and his family. After her foster mother passed, she was accepted into the Sisters of St. Anna Heim boarding school. This education led to her immigration to the U.S. and teaching.
She will have books for sale at the meeting (cash only) for $18 and she will sign them. Her presentation will be followed by a brief business meeting for members to elect the officers for 2026. Our annual meetings are always open to guests who are interested in our organization or our guest speakers!
Books, Butterflies and the Botanical Garden. The Ventura County Library Foundation presents a magical day surrounded by books and the beauty of the botanical gardens! Featuring Woody Woodburn, author of The Butterfly Tree and Ventura County Star Columnist. Woody will be signing copies of his book which will be available for sale at the event.
Guests will also enjoy inspiring presentations from Dallas Woodburn: author, editor, book coach & podcaster; Dr. Jana Johnson: Lead Biologist of The Endangered Butterfly Project and Joe Cahill: CEO of the Botanical Gardens. Short programs are scheduled at 1 pm and 3 pm, followed by Q&A. The noon to 4 pm event includes self-guided tours of the five distinct Mediterranean climate zones of the world, raffles and desserts.
This fundraiser showcases the Ventura County Library Foundation’s mission to expand access to books, technology, and educational opportunities across Ventura County.
$40 per ticket – advanced registration; $50 per ticket at door. Purchase tickets at https://www.vclibraryfoundation.org/events/
