This year's Women's History Month theme recognizes women's tenacity, courage, and creativity throughout the centuries. Explore the history of generations of women whose commitment to nature and humanity have proved invaluable to society.

Gale PowerSearch on our eLibrary page is a great place to start along with Biography In Context, the U.S. & World History In Context and World Book.

Our photo is of Aviator Amelia Earhart. 

Ventura County Library will be conducting the final phase of the systemwide computer hardware move that impacts computer use at the Ventura County Libraries. The move is a result of the Library's consolidation of Administration, Support and Children's Services offices to one location.

Beginning Thursday, February 24, 2011 and continuing through Thursday, March 3, 2011, online capable computers including public internet, wireless and the in-library catalog will not be available for public use.

Home access to the Ventura County Library website, www.vencolibrary.org will not be affected.

Library staff will be available to assist in finding items during the transition. All Ventura County Library locations are impacted. We thank you for your patience!

Come to Ojai Library on Tuesday, February 22, at 6:30pm and learn how to reduce your utility costs through energy efficiency opportunities. 

Representatives from Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance will provide a public workshop to explain common efficiencies useful in homes.  You will learn how to conserve electricity and gas, where to obtain utility rebate information and how to use utility efficiencies to benefit other conservation measures. 

Bring your questions and join the discussion!

Singer/Songwriter Jeff Uzzel will play at the Ojai Library as part of their First Sunday Music series on Sunday, March 6 at 1pm.

Jeff has written 40 original songs and also covers music by the Beatles, Bob Marley, Dave Matthews, Van Morrison, and others.

Jeff specializes in Rock, Reggae, and Folk music and has many years of performance experience. He performs regularly at restaurants in Ventura and Ojai. Keep up with him on his website www.jeffuzzel.com.

Running out of reading sources? Need some inspiration?  See our book list newsletter sign-up page for lists of new books and old favorites. 

As a subscriber, you'll receive emails with lists linking directly into our catalog. Fiction and nonfiction, reading for children, teens and adults... there's a list for everyone!

Find the sign-up page on our website by looking under the "Special Interests" heading on the left side of the vencolibrary.org page: Books & Reading > Newsletters & Booklists.

For descriptions of each list, hover your cursor over the list name. The frequency of list updates will also appear.

As more people file their taxes electronically, fewer paper tax forms are available. Please note, our eLibrary links to online form sources. Hard copy Federal tax forms are no longer available at libraries or post offices in most areas.
[Click here for the Ventura County Star's recent article on ways to reduce your tax bill.]

If you will not be filing electronically you will need to start early to track down the tax forms you need. It takes at least 2 weeks for the forms to be mailed to you. 

Federal tax forms are available: order by phone at 1-800-829-3676
   Write to request forms: IRS; 1201 N. Mitsubishi Motorway; Bloomington, IL 61705
   Forms are available on the Internet at http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/ (can be downloaded or filled out online)

The nearest local IRS office is in Camarillo at 751 Daily Drive. Their hours are Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30. They do not provide telephone service but you can walk in without an appointment. 

California tax forms are available: order by phone 1-800-338-0505
   Forms are available on the Internet at http://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/ (can be downloaded or filled out online)
   Walk in and pick up forms: at both post offices in Ventura, the Ventura College Library, DMV in Ventura

The nearest field office is in Los Angeles at 300 S. Spring St Suite 5704, 90013. Hours are Monday – Friday 8-5.

If you download forms at your public library it costs 10 cents a page to print the forms. Filling out the forms online is free. The library also owns tax preparation handbooks like “Ernst & Young Tax Guide” and “ J.K. Lasser’s Your Income Tax” that can be checked-out.

African American History Month - This year's theme is in honor of the efforts of people of African descent to destroy slavery and inaugurate universal freedom in the United States.

Our resources: start with a subject search (african americans) in our library catalog, check the eLibrary resources under Biography, Encyclopedias, History & Social Studies, Magazine & Journal Articles, and more!