Response to 2012-13 Grand Jury Report Form Report Title: Ventura County Library Report Date: June 7, 2013 Responding*

R01

The Grand Jury recommends that a strategy to expand the most successful summer reading library program be established. VCLS agrees with this recommendation. For FY 12/13, our key goal was to increase the amount of school visits in an attempt to make all public elementary school students aware of our summer reading program. We were able to achieve 130 classroom visits, visits to Boys and Girls Clubs and contacts with school administration, reaching approximately 7,600. We expect to see a sizable increase in children participating in our summer reading program this year. We will use this as a baseline for future participation in the program.

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 . 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 . educational entities to use the facilities in their local libraries. This recommendation has been partially implemented. Volunteers - VCLS currently uses volunteers in a number of programs: VCLS utilized 19,782 hours of volunteer work from 462 volunteers in FY ٠ 11/12 at our libraries and headquarters. The literacy program for VCLS, READ, had an average of 134 tutors, 220 ٠ adult learners, and provided 6,268 hours of instruction over each of the last five years. The following additional steps will be taken to increase volunteer participation: Publish press releases with each tutor training series and program and ٠ other volunteer opportunities Post volunteer opportunities at the City of Ventura website in addition to . the postings we already provide on Volunteermatch.com and the United Way's Volunteer webpage. Set up a speaker's bureau page on VCLS website. Provide an exhibit in the Hall of Administration to attract potential . volunteers to our programs. Promote "Book to Action" programs to create community interest in • community volunteer possibilities. Used Book Sales: Book sales are currently provided at all libraries that have sufficient available space. Piru Library and Soliz Library do not have adequate space for book sales. Tutoring and Enhanced Study Programs – the following programs are currently in place: READ currently partners with Oxnard Adult Education and Simi Valley Adult Education to provide their remedial reading instruction READ serves many VCCCD students by providing assistance with their . classes. All VCLS branches, with the exception of Oak Park and Piru offer afterschool • homework help. 11440 READ will explore the possibility of partnering with VCCCD to provide remedial instruction for their students. Research Assistance and Guidance - these programs are currently in place: VCLS provides print and online research materials at all our libraries. . Trained library staff offer support for these services and guidance in how to locate information and to use our resources. Provide programs that showcase the library and expand public awareness, such as professional workshops and entertainment - the following programs are currently offered: Each library provides story-times and programs for children. • Our libraries provide a broad range of adult programs, both ongoing and ٠ onetime events. Programs include ongoing writer's groups, frequent music programs and a ukulele club. Future events will include a program for Hispanic Heritage Month and a Comic-con in October. Also, Oak Park will be offering an ongoing robotics club for young adults interested in learning to build and operate robots. This program is a partnership between VCLS, CSUCI and the Society of Engineers. Electronic and Internet programs: These programs are currently in place at all of our libraries. Linking libraries within the VCLS via computer to allow total access: This access is currently available. Our library catalog is available online 24/7. The catalog is available within the libraries during all open hours. Patrons can browse our catalog, renew and request items anywhere they connect to the internet including mobile and desktop devices, at home, work and school. Pursue and encourage book clubs, business groups and organized educational entities to use the facilities in their local libraries: Currently, two of our libraries have book clubs. VCLS also has three libraries that have meeting rooms. VCLS, in association with the Ojai Valley Friends and Foundation, and the Fillmore Friends, is seeking to add meeting rooms to the Ojai and Fillmore Libraries. We also pursue and establish ongoing relationships with any civic, business, community or educational groups that need facilities or library services. The following additional steps will be taken to increase outreach to business groups and community entities: Speakers Bureau events will be posted on the library website so that groups . can have access to speakers who would provide information about services and facilities that are available. All library managers have been asked to achieve a minimum of one contact in their community each month. All children's staff have been asked to attend one program or presentation • outside of their library each month. Library managers are being trained in making contacts, have been given tips from Toastmasters, and are getting information about implementing PowerPoint and other resources.