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Library Services

The City of Ventura has three public libraries: E.P. Foster Library, H. P. Wright Library and The Avenue Library. The libraries are administered and staffed by the Ventura County Library System. For more information on the Ventura County Library System click here.

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Library Hours
The Avenue Library - 606 N. Ventura Ave., 643-6393
Library Supervisor - Laura Paine
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
11 am - 1 pm
and 2 - 6 pm		 2 - 6 pm 12 - 6 pm 2 - 6 pm Closed 10 am -
3 pm

E.P. Foster Library - 651 E. Main Street, 648-2715
City Librarian - Ruth Hartman
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10:00 am -
8:00 pm		 10:00 am - 8:00 pm 10:00 am -
8:00 pm		 10:00 am -
8:00 pm		 10:00 am - 5:00 pm 10:00 am -
5:00 pm

Helen P. Wright Library - 57 Day Road, 642-0337
City Librarian - Mary Lynch
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
10:00 am -
8:00 pm		 10:00 am -
8:00 pm		 12:00 pm -
6:00 pm 		2:00 pm -
6:00 pm 		12:00 pm - 6:00pm 12:00 pm -
5:00 pm


Public Art in the Libraries
The City of Ventura Public Art Program has commissioned art at two of the libraries. "Matrix", a digital glass installation by Sally Weber, can be seen at the E.P. Foster Library. At the Avenue Library Catherine Day's artwork depicts the history of Ventura Avenue.

Library Advisory Commission
The City of Ventura has a Library Advisory Commission - not related to the County Library Commission. The City Library Advisory Commission's purpose is to make recommendations to the Ventura City Council on issues related to libraries and library services. The LAC meets on the 4th Wednesday of each odd month at 6:00pm at the E.P. Foster Elizabeth Topping Room.

City of Ventura Library Advisory Commission

Chairman - Marianne Coffey
Vice Chairperson Jack Sprinkle
Commissioner Ilene Gavenman
Commissioner Octavio Sifuentes
Commissioner Rosie Ornelas
Community Services Manager Peter Brown is the staff liaison to the Library Advisory Commission. He may be contacted by phone at: 805/658-4707 or by email at: pbrown@ci.ventura.ca.us

Library Vision for Ventura
The residents and businesses of the City of San Buenaventura envision the public library as a "symbol of civic pride", serving as both central information resource and community center, and offering the following amenities and/or services:

Improved Access to Library Services
Service hours would compare favorably with the average of other similarly
sizedCalifornia communities

A strong central facility would be provided, along with satellite branches
(including the Avenue Library)

Enhanced Library Services
Current collections in all formats and media

Consumer, business and educational resources

New technology, and assistance in the use of such technology

Programming for all ages
(literacy programs, homework centers, film reviews, public readings, etc.)

Special place for children and youth

Business and copy center

Volunteer opportunities

Stable Resources
A reasonable likelihood that adequate revenue could be generated for
operations

A reasonable likelihood that one-time funding for capital costs could be
identified

Cost-effective delivery of services would be tracked and maintained


Responsive to Community Needs
Library staff and administration would be readily accessible to users
Changes could be made in hours, services, facilities and programs
as community needs change
Knowledgeable and customer service-oriented staffing and administration
would be provided

Accountable
Increased City input would be provided into decisions about allocation of
resources

Increased community input would be provided into hours, facilities, programs,
services and materials

Flexible
The library would incorporate flexible, creative approaches into its governing and administrative systems, to ensure the continuous improvement of access to and/ordelivery of services

Adopted by the San Buenaventura City Council
January 27, 1997
I/libcamp/301-500

County Library System
The County Library System consists of fourteen libraries in eight cities, plus unincorporated county areas. The System is governed by the Ventura County Library Commission. The Commissioners are City Councilpersons from the Ventura County Cities that participate in the County System, and a County Supervisor who represents the unincorporated County areas. Councilmember Bill Fulton is the City's representative on that Commission. The mission of the Ventura County Library is to meet the general reading, lifelong learning and informational needs of the people of Ventura County, with special focus on children, youth and families.

  • Ventura County Library website

Jackie Griffin is the Director of the Ventura County Library System.

Ventura County Library
646 County Square Drive
Suite 150
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 477-7331

  • Library Services