Friends of the Camarillo Library

Friends of the Camarillo Library is focused on bringing the services and facilities of the Camarillo Public Library to the attention and interest of the Camarillo community. Friends of the Camarillo Library also aims to provide affordable books, magazines, and other media and no-cost programs to the community. Bringing awareness to the Camarillo Public Library will encourage more people to utilize the resources and facilities provided, thus strengthening individuals and the community as a whole.

Friends of the Camarillo Library brings awareness to the Camarillo Public Library and affordable books, magazines, and other media to the community mainly through its donation-based, volunteer-ran used bookstore. Awareness of the Camarillo Public Library's services and facilities is also raised through communication with an active membership platform and publicity outreach team.

Friends of the Camarillo Library has a formally organized, volunteer-run Board of Directors and Bookstore staff, as well as an established membership and donor base. The Board of Directors involvement in community events and networking opportunities assists in increasing awareness for the Camarillo Public Library. The Friends Bookstore is a community-supported used bookstore. Items sold in the Friends Bookstore are donated by community members, and purchased by community members and out-of-town guests. This sustainable cycle, without the requirement to purchase inventory or pay staff, ensures a positive revenue. Friends Bookstore volunteers also advocate on behalf of the Friends organization. By continuing to maintain and develop a relationship with Camarillo Public Library staff, an open dialog can be kept to ensure the Library's needs are being met by Friends' funds and awareness strategies.

Friends of the Camarillo Library has donated over $3 million dollars, as of FY2017, to the Camarillo Public Library. For the past six years, Friends of the Camarillo Library has consistently donated $200,000 a year, in addition to funds for ongoing programs. We have enhanced community members' ability to grow and learn by making available programs, services, and materials through the Camarillo Public Library. We have also supported the community by providing free books, magazines, and other media to other nonprofit organizations, schools, and city institutions. Our current challenge is maintaining and increasing donations from individuals, establishing a more comprehensive donor management program, and seeking business partners n the local community willing to donate funds on an ongoing basis. We also seek to increase our online and social media presence in an era of competing online demand in the nonprofit community.