Response to 2012-13 Grand Jury Report Form Report Title: Ventura County Library Responding Agency/Dept.: County*

R01

The Grand Jury recommends that a strategy to expand the most successful summer reading library program be established. Ventura County Library Grand Jury Response County Executive Office This recommendation has been implemented. VCLS has begun the process of expanding outreach to increase student and volunteer participation in the Summer Reading Program (SRP). For example, this year, VCLS staff reached out to schools not only through informational flyers but with class visits and presentations. To further highlight the SRP, presentations were made at various Boys and Girls Clubs and VCLS participated in the daylong Summerfest event in Ventura that reached over 7,000 children. In addition, the summer reading log is being made available not only at libraries, but also at the VCLS website and at various businesses. The County Executive Office supports this effort.

R02

The Grand Jury recommends that a means to reach out to potential volunteers be initiated. There are a number of programs that could be staffed with volunteers. Also, the VCLS may find that the community will help support the development of new programs, such as: used book sales ٠ tutoring for remedial reading, English and mathematics, to relieve the ۰ VCCCD and enhance the services provided by the VCLS enhanced study programs . research assistance and guidance encourage more help from the list of organizations, identified as "Friends of the Library" and the local public provide programs that showcase the library and expand public awareness, such as professional workshops and entertainment pursue electronic and Internet programs that offer the library participants volumes of information and references that could not be housed within a small library investigate the potential of linking the libraries within the VCLS, . whereby every library within the system has total access to the collective information sources of the system libraries pursue and encourage book clubs, business groups and organized ٠ educational entities to use the facilities in their local libraries. This recommendation is partially implemented as a number of programs currently use volunteers. As previously noted we acknowledge the VCLS recently implemented changes to move towards having professional librarians lead its programs, however the VCLS continues to seek volunteers to assist with programs and services. The Adult Literacy program which provides remedial reading instruction is one example. In addition, a number of the programs listed above are currently offered by VCLS and utilize volunteers. Regarding the development of new programs noted in the recommendation, many programs on the list are currently provided by VCLS and have been in place for a number of years: 2 Ventura County Library Grand Jury Response County Executive Office used book sales - book sales take place at all libraries, except for Piru and ٠ Soliz, as these locations do not have adequate space available to conduct sales. tutoring for remedial reading, English and mathematics, to relieve the • VCCCD and enhance the services provided by the VCLS - The VCLS READ program currently partners with Oxnard and Simi Valley Adult Education to provide remedial reading assistance. enhanced study programs - Afterschool homework help is provided at all • VCLS branches except Oak Park and Piru. research assistance and guidance -Print and on-line research materials is • currently available at all VCLS libraries with trained staff available to provide research support. encourage more help from the list of organizations, identified as . "Friends of the Library" and the local public - During FY 2011-12, over 450 volunteers contributed approximately 20,000 hours of support at VCLS. VCLS will continue to reach out to various community organizations for support. provide programs that showcase the library and expand public ٠ awareness, such as professional workshops and entertainment - VCLS currently offers story-times and other programs for children as well as a broad range of adult programs such as music programs, writer's groups. Upcoming offerings include Hispanic Heritage Month and a Comic-con. pursue electronic and Internet programs that offer the library . participants volumes of information and references that could not be housed within a small library – already in place at all VCLS libraries. investigate the potential of linking the libraries within the VCLS, • whereby every library within the system has total access to the collective information sources of the system libraries - Library patrons currently have the ability to browse the library catalog online at any time as well as to renew and request items from any internet connected device. pursue and encourage book clubs, business groups and organized • educational entities to use the facilities in their local libraries - Two VCLS libraries have book clubs. Oak Park will be offering a robotics club - a program developed in partnership with CSUCI, the Society of Engineers and VCLS. The County Executive Office (CEO) supports VCLS efforts, where feasible, to increase educational services and programs offered to the public. The CEO also supports VCLS outreach activities to increase volunteer participation and to pursue relationships with business groups, community and educational organizations to enhance programs and services. Ventura County Library Grand Jury Response County Executive Office