What is Big Library Read?

The Ventura County Library offers Big Library Read May 15th through June 1st. Libraries worldwide spotlight one title for library patrons to read simultaneously, creating a global “library book club”.

The Four Corners of the Sky is master storyteller Michael Malone’s novel of love, secrets, and the mysterious bonds of families. Malone brings characters to life as only he can, exploring the questions that defy easy answers: Is love a choice or a calling? Why do the ties of family bind so tightly? And is forgiveness a gift to others… or a gift we give ourselves?

This program is sponsored by OverDrive and Sourcebooks, Inc. and brought to you by Ventura County Library. Enjoy!

On a quiet Saturday morning, before the Fillmore Library opens to the public, members of the Artists Guild of Fillmore were waiting at the doors. Their purpose for being there was to mount a new mini-show of art works.

As the Library doors opened, the artists outside were found catching up with each others' news. Carrying one painting apiece, they turned one by one to enter the building. This event occurs four times each year in order to decorate the Library walls. It also gives the public an opportunity to consider owning and hanging an original piece of art in their own home. All the artists live in Fillmore and meet together monthly.

Click here to see a larger image and to be introduced to the artists. The painting's titles, from the top row, left, "Edge of Town - Rothenburg, Germany" by Luanne Hebner Perez; "Walk in Beauty" by Lady Jan Faulkner; "Autumn Afternoon" by Karen Scott Browdy, "Intent" by Joanne King; and the bottom row: "Sheep in Orchard Sun" by Virginia Neuman; "Flora and Fauna" by Lois Freemen Fox; "Santa Inez Oak" by Judy Dressler; and Untitled by Wana Klasen.

Duo Ex Ovo

Saturday May 25, 1pm

Taro Wayama, in his third appearance at the Ojai Library, will be joined by Thomas Foster and Sara Mori.  Wayama and Foster comprise the classical guitar ensemble Duo Ex Ovo. They will be playing selections from their latest recording Transatlantique.  Accompaning them will be percussionist Mori.

Come early for best seating.

Come sing and play with Judy Piazza

Saturday May 25, 11am

Enjoy frame drums, native flutes and didgeridu.

Judy Piazza is a percussionist, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recording artist who currently works with the Bravo Music Education Program through the Ojai Music Festival.

All ages welcome.

Ventura County Libraries now have a new bookdrop at Kimball Park!

Drop your materials off at this convenient spot right across from the aquatic center.

Make sure it is a library book from the Ventura County Libraries before dropping it in the box!

Each month, we publish a new list of our Staff Picks: books, ebooks, books on CD, DVDs, picture books, children's and young adult books that our staff members recommend.

Can't remember to check the list? You can sign up to receive this and many other book recommendation lists directly into your email box at our "Newsletter & Booklists" page found at: http://www.vencolibrary.org/ > Special Interests > Books & Reading > Staff Picks.

See something you like? When viewing the list, click on the "Check Library Catalog" link to be taken directly to our catalog, where you can sign in and place a hold request to have the item brought to your local library for pick up! Enjoy!

Yes, you read that correctly! Using the library's new music resource, Freegal (rhymes with "legal"), available on our eLibrary page under Music, each Ventura County Library card holder can download 3 tracks per week from a wide variety of genres.

All downloads are free to you in MP3 format. Freegal music will work with any MP3 player, including iPod, and can be loaded into iTunes. All songs have a sample, preview clip to listen to before downloading.

Currently, Freegal has approximately 2.8 million songs from classical music to the latest chart-topping music of today.  Content is provided by over 15,000 music labels from more than 60 countries around the world, including the 50+ labels of Sony Music Entertainment.

This gives Ventura County Library the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of albums that don't get lost, damaged or stolen, and they are available to all card holders 24/7!   Enjoy!