Volunteer Finds Resources to Open Library

After weaving tall tales weekly at the east Ventura Boys & Girls Club for several years, Jim Woodard came to a realization:

A child who likes to hear stories will probably also like to read them.

So Woodard is especially proud of the library opening up this week at the club, with 2,000 books and room for 600 more.

Woodard, a writer who has offered his Friday afternoon Storytelling Club for several years to youngsters 7 to 12 years old, began planning the library eight months ago.

“Few things can help a kid more than reading better,” Woodard said.

“The ones who dig up books will probably become better readers and also better students,” he said. “And I think it enhances their self-esteem when they can read better.”

Everything has been donated, he said. Roy Colbert, president of the Ventura County chapter of the American Institute of Architects, designed the shelves, and about $2,400 worth of construction materials was donated and delivered by Ikea, a home and office furnishing chain.

“People have brought books in from all over,” Woodard said. “The Marina Park community held a benefit, which raised $850 to buy new books.”

Volunteers from the Ventura school district and the county’s Library Services Agency are helping with advice on how to organize the books.

Club members will be able to check out books with the help of its director, Ralph Velarde, “but it will also be a reading and homework room,” Woodard said.

The club at 1929 Johnson Drive is open to all boys and girls ages 7 to 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.