Library Offers New Directory of Groups

People looking for others who share their interests ranging from moppet dolls to African violets, from the John Birch Society to the Ventura County Greens, can find them in a new guide at the Thousand Oaks Library.

The latest edition of “Conejo Valley Clubs and Organizations,” published by the Thousand Oaks Library, is available and on display.

“It is a surprise to see some of the groups that we have,” said Norma Callero, the library’s volunteer coordinator.

“Some of our volunteers have a lot of fun tracking these people down.”

Callero said the current edition is the largest ever, with listings for 725 organizations.

The directory, now in its seventh year, is compiled by library volunteers.

Entries include serious and light-hearted groups.

Dozens of support groups are listed for people with illnesses including mental health problems, infertility, autism, lupus and retinitis pigmentosa.

Following the lead of Alcoholics Anonymous are Overeaters Anonymous and Sexaholics Anonymous.

A more tongue-in-cheek entry lists Appleholics Anonymous for incurable Apple Computer addicts.

Some groups have selective entrance requirements, such as the Wives of Los Angeles City Fire Fighters.

They call themselves the Firehouse Flames.

The directory is nothing if not equal-opportunity.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is listed just before the Daughters of the British Empire in California.

The directory costs $7.50 and is available at the reference desks of the Thousand Oaks Library and its Newbury Park branch, or by mail from the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks 91362.