VENTURA : Meeting Planned to Help Libraries

Public library advocates in Ventura are urged to attend a meeting today to help draft a plan on how the city’s two libraries can receive enough funding to remain open, officials said.

The meeting of the San Buenaventura City Library Board will start at 6 p.m. at Wright Library on Day Road, organizers said.

Participants will discuss ways to funnel more money and volunteers to the libraries, said spokeswoman Sally Weimer. The board will also talk about a fund-raiser scheduled for Oct. 22, she said.

Weimer noted that libraries allow business people to sharpen skills, aid students with homework and help the unemployed find jobs through newspapers and magazines.

“I consider volunteering and helping as investing in the future of our community,” Weimer said.

Ventura’s public libraries, like many throughout the county, have had staff and operational hours cut dramatically over the past two years because of reduced funding, she said.

Anyone willing to offer ideas or volunteer time is invited to attend the meeting, Weimer said.