Friends of the Library Bookstore
in E.P. Foster Library
Monday through Saturday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
You can find great bargains in gently used children’s books, cooking and craft books, audio books and books with a seasonal theme. The items in our store are definitely worth a second look, from current novels to jigsaw puzzles to older books and vintage books to fill you with the nostalgia appropriate to the season!
You can follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/2nd_look_books_ventura/
We have also begun listing some of our collectible items on Ebay. You can see our offerings at https://www.ebay.com/str/venturafriendsofthelibrary
Garden to Table Series with Certified Master Gardener, Terry Garman
Tomato Time: Secrets of Growing Perfect Tomatoes
Avenue Library, Wed., April 2, 4:00 to 5:00 pm Register: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=45260 Walk ins Welcome!
Hill Road Library, Tuesday, April 8, 5:00 to 6:00 pm Register: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=45259
Craving the unbeatable taste of sun-ripened tomatoes fresh from your own garden? Join us to discover why Ventura County’s Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect place to grow these beloved fruits!From selecting the right varieties to mastering support methods and natural pest management, we’ll cover the complete growing cycle – seed starting through harvest. Get expert tips on common challenges, succession planting for continuous harvests, plus simple cooking and preservation methods to enjoy your homegrown bounty year-round.
Then, in May: Some Like It Hot: Mastering Pepper Production, Hill Road Library, Tuesday, May 13, 5:00 to 6:00 pm
Bee Brilliant: Nature’s Tiny Heroes
Hill Road Library Thursday, April 10, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Dive into the fascinating world of bees! Children will learn about bee biology, hive life, pollination, and why these tiny insects are crucial to our ecosystem. Through interactive activities, kids will discover how bees communicate, make honey, and help our planet. They’ll explore bee anatomy, understand their social structure, and learn about conservation—all while having buzzing good fun! Taught by certified Master Gardener Kat Baker. Class intended for children through age 12. Link to Register: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=45254 Walk ins welcome!
Wiggly Worms & Wonder: Kids’ Composting Adventure
Hill Road Library, Thursday, April 17, 3:30 – 4:30 pm
Turn kitchen scraps into garden gold! In this class, young environmentalists will discover the fascinating world of composting while learning how nature recycles. Class taught by certified Master Gardener, Daveta Cooper.
Spring Festival: Once Upon A Rainbow
E.P. Foster Library Topping Room
Friday, April 18, 2:30 – 4:00pm
Celebrate the magic of spring and our beautiful planet at our Spring Festival: Once Upon a Rainbow, hosted by the Teen Advisory Group! Join us for an afternoon filled with colorful fun, including glitter tattoos, seed planting, paper flowers, potion making, bubbles, and a whimsical photo station. Let’s embrace the season with creativity, laughter, and a little sparkle! This event is free and open to the public.
Robotics Club – Avenue Library
Robotics Club for 4th & 5th Graders!
Dive into the world of robotics in our interactive 6-session workshop! Design, program, and assemble robots while exploring the exciting world of STEM.
Tuesdays @ 3:30 – 5:00 PM
1st Meeting: March 4
March 4 – April 15 (No session March 25 for Spring Break)
Space is limited—registration required!
Adult Collage Sunday
E.P. Foster Library Topping Room
Third Sunday of the Month 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Special Date for April: April 27
Join us for a fun and creative collage event! Supplies will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own. Unleash your creativity and make something unique.
Extremely Puzzled @ EP Foster Library
Attention, adults!
There’s a fantastic new event just for you at EP Foster Library. Introducing
Extremely Puzzled—a daily jigsaw puzzle extravaganza! Swing by every day to dive into the fun and challenge of puzzle making.
STEAM FUN FUN! at Avenue Library
Wednesday, April 16, 4:00 to 5:00 pm
Avenue Library’s Teen Volunteer Club presents STEAM activities on the third Wednesday of the month from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. The event is free and open to children, grades K-12.
Little Lab at Hill Road Library
Hill Road Library Little Lab
Science and Sensory Play First Tuesdays at 10:30 am. Designed for children 3 to 7.
Game on! Board Games at Hill Road Library returns Every Sunday, 11 am to 1 pm. Drop by and choose from over 35 games to play!
Fun for families or a great reason to meet with friends.
Lego Play
E.P. Foster Library Fridays, 2 to 4 pm
Avenue Library Wednesdays, 12 to 6 pm
Crafty Little Fox Club E.P . Foster Library
Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5:00 pm
Dive into a world of DIY crafting every Wednesday afternoon. Let your creativity soar as you explore and create unique masterpieces. A special, structured craft will be provided every 4th Wednesday of the month.
Avenue Library Family Coloring During open branch hours, families are welcome to free coloring pages for all ages. Crayons and colored pencils are provided for in-house use.
Teen Craft Club at Hill Road Library
Hill Road Library,
Every Other Wednesday, Match 23 & 26, 3:45 to 5:00 pm
Every other week we will meet and make something crafty.
This program is designed for people ages 11-19.
Avenue Library Family Stay and Play
All are welcome to “stay and play” at the Avenue Library. Board
games, card games, puzzles and more are available during open hours.
Minecraft Gaming at the library
Mondays, April 7 & 14
3:30 to 5:00 pm
E. P Foster Library and Hill Road Library
An in-person Minecraft program where we play on the same server together.This program is limited to participants ages 5-17 years old.
Space is limited. First come, first served.
Questions about the event,
please call 805 626-READ
Students needing school community service credit and teens 13-17 who want to help the library can join the Teen Advisory Group at E.P. Foster Library. Plan fun TEEN and CHILDREN’S events! Contact: sienna.sydlaske@ventura.org
Avenue Library also has a teen volunteer group. The Teen Volunteer Club (ages 13 to 18) assists the Homework Center Coordinator by helping tutor students, as well as, helping to create STEAM projects for the children of the community. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please email Ina Holladay at ina.holladay@ventura.org.
Hill Road Library Book Club meets monthly on the last Tuesday.
February 25, 4 :00 to 5:00 pm
Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
Visit the Hill Road Library to pick up the latest Book Club selection. To join the mailing list for this Book Club please email Linda.Cherry@Ventura.org
Wise Owls Book Club Hill Road Library
Tuesday, March 11, 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
The Spring 2025 selection is
The Moon Within by Aida Salazar
Celi Rivera’s life swirls with questions. About her changing body. Her first attraction to a boy. And her best friend’s exploration of what it means to be genderfluid. But most of all, her mother’s insistence she have a moon ceremony when her first period arrives. It’s an ancestral Mexica ritual that Mima and her community have reclaimed, but Celi promises she will NOT be participating. Can she find the power within herself to take a stand for who she wants to be?
Wise Owls is a quarterly Book Club for adults who enjoy reading children’s literature. Visit the Hill Road Library to pick up the latest Wise Owls Book Club selection. To join the mailing list for this Book Club please email Linda.Cherry@Ventura.org
Poetry at the Library
E.P. Foster Library Topping Room
1st Sunday of the Month,
Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, 3 to 5 pm
POETRY AT THE LIBRARY at E.P. FOSTER TOPPING ROOM HOSTED BY PHIL TAGGART. IN-HOUSE AND VIRTUAL: ZOOM MEETING ID 960-750-1600
ENJOY A FEATURED POET, THEN SHARE YOUR OWN WORK WITH THE GROUP. ALL ARE WELCOME.
Ukulele Jam in the Topping Room
in E.P. Foster Library
1st and 3rd Mondays,
