Library Booster Wins State Honor

Oak View resident Linda Kapala has been given the 1994 President’s Award by the California Library Assn., in recognition of a series of campaigns she launched that helped raise more than $30,000 for Ventura County libraries.

In one campaign, “Libraries Are Everyone’s Business,” she arranged for direct mailings to 13,000 businesses requesting donations for books. And in another campaign, “Libraries Make Cents,” about 75,000 Ventura County students collected pennies to help the cause.

“The California Library Assn. is happy for the opportunity to recognize such a champion of libraries,” said Joy Thomas, president of the statewide association.

The President’s Award is given to people who have made outstanding contributions in support of California libraries.

Kapala picked up the award Saturday at the California Library Assn. Convention in Anaheim.

“It was really an unexpected honor,” Kapala said Monday. “I’m just delighted, I’m so honored.”

Kapala, an avid library user, launched the fund-raising campaign in 1993, after becoming aware of the financial hardship experienced by the county’s Library Services Agency.

Kapala said that in addition to raising much-needed money for county libraries, the fund-raising campaign has increased community awareness about the plight of libraries.

“As soon as we let the library issue die, it’s too easy to bury,” Kapala said.