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Library seeks community involvement
A volunteer group called Friends of the Oak Park Library is appealing to area residents to join the organization's board. The group raises funds in support of the library by selling books, DVDs, audio tapes and VHS tapes at the library bookstore. Board meetings are held three times a year, usually in January, May and September. Last year the Friends raised $8,000, most of which was allocated to the children's section to purchase materials including easy-reader books and to fund summer reading events, according to the Friends' president, Cindy Hain. Hain has run the bookstore since its 2004 opening. Most items in the store's inventory cost between 50 cents and $1. "I like to say that it's the only 99-cent store in Oak Park," Hain said. Community involvement strengthens the library and what it's able to offer, Hain added.
The library is situated on the campus of Oak Park High School but is open to everyone in the community. "People think that because it's located at Oak Park High School it's only open to students, but it's open to everyone," Hain said. She hopes to see more parents of school-age children become involved in the Friends or join the group's board because students derive so many benefits from the library. "Children come in and use the books for reports and projects," Hain said. "One of the nice things about the Oak Park Library is that even though it's small, if you need to do research we can pull from the entire Ventura County library system and even from other library systems for the information you need, and they don't charge you for that. All you have to do is go up to a librarian and ask." Head librarian Mary Stewart said she expects to receive an infusion of money for the library trust fund following a recent mediation settlement with the contractor who built the library. Construction began in 2000 but stalled, allegedly because the original contractor abandoned the project. The library finally opened in February 2004, four years after its groundbreaking. Stewart said she hopes to use a portion of the settlement money to purchase new materials. After working at the Moorpark Library, Stewart came to Oak Park in January. She would like to create adult and family programming to complement the story times and special events already in place in the children's section. "I really love seeing families come in here together," Stewart said. "I think it's wonderful when we're meeting each of their needs." According to her recently completed inventory, the library contains more than 20,000 separate items. A new 15-station computer system is being installed. Other features include conference rooms, a film and lecture room and an outdoor garden courtyard with benches. Stewart credited community support for the many donations of books, DVDs and other materials, all in "pristine condition." "I have never seen such a generous community," she said. The library hours were recently extended. The new schedule is 2 to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Bookstore hours are the same as the library's. Donations of books, media and paper and plastic bags are always accepted. For more information about volunteering with Friends of the Library, joining the board, or other questions about the Oak Park Library, call (818) 889-2239 during business hours. In a Nutshell The Oak Park Library is at 899 North Kanan Road at the southern edge of the Oak Park High School campus. Preschool storytimes for children ages 3 to 5 are Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. | ||||||
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