Simi Valley Library
Simi Valley Library
2969 Tapo Canyon, Simi Valley, CA 93063
(805) 526-1735
|
Dale Redfield, Interim Library Manager |
 |
HOURSMon - Thurs 10 - 8 Friday 1 - 5 Saturday 10 - 5 Sunday 1 - 5 |
Directions
- Simi Valley Library is located at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road next door to the Simi Valley City Hall. The nearest cross street is Alamo Street. View map.
- Closest bus stop is on Tapo Canyon adjacent to the Library.
Services
- Want to know how to get a library card, borrow a book and more? See our FAQ page.
- Access the library catalog from home.
- Library staff will answer your research questions.
- If a book you want is not available at your local library, it can be be ordered from other libraries.
- Telephone questions will be answered during open hours. Call (805) 526-1735.
- 32 computers are available for public Internet use. Computers are filtered for use by customers under 18.
- Self-serve copy machines are available. Copies are ten cents each; color copies are fifty cents each.
- Meeting Room Rental - A meeting room is available for non-profit organizations' use; all meetings must be open to the public. Room capacity is from 90-200 people: 90 people "conference style" with chairs (chairs may need to be supplied by the renting group) and 200 people "theatre style" without chairs. The room has a large projection screen, however, audio-visual equipment must be supplied by the renter. Prices are - up to 3 hours: $50; 3 to 5 hours: $75; more than 5 hours: $100. Call library at (805) 526-1735 for more information. Use of the room is limited to twice per month, effective July 1, 2011.
- Adult Literacy Program - Simi Valley Library is a site for the Adult Literacy Program. Students are matched with volunteer tutors who help them improve reading, writing and spelling skills. See the Adult Literacy Program Web site for more information.
Programs & Special Events - Simi Valley Library Event Calendar
- Tiny Tots Storytimes are Monday mornings 10:10 - 10:30am
- Preschool Storytimes are Tuesday mornings at 11:30am
- Family Storytimes are in the Children's Story Corner:
- Saturday mornings at 11am
- Tuesday evenings at 7pm
- Musical Storytimes are every 3rd Tuesday at 11:30am
- Bilingual Storytimes are the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 11am in the Children's Story Corner
- PAWS 4 Healing, Inc. R.E.A.D. Program are the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 6:30 - 7:30pm in the Children's Story Corner
- Waggin' Tales - an afternoon program every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 3-4pm, for school children ages 5 and up, to improve reading skills
- Teen Club Meetings are twice a month on Thursdays from 3:45pm to 5pm
- Literazzi Book Discussion group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 11 am in Simi Library.
- Homework Centers are available in most Ventura County Libraries. Click here to see locations and times open.
- Parents! Use the AR Book Finder to find Accelerated Reader books.
Volunteer Opportunities
- The Simi Valley Friends of the Library supports the Simi Valley Library. The Friends have a large used bookstore in the Library. They also sponsor children's programs and adult lecture series. Please come to the Library for more information on joining the Friends or visit the Friends page.
- Volunteers are needed for Adult Literacy Program. For more information click here.
- Volunteers are needed for storytelling and crafts programs.
- We need volunteers to help maintain library materials including mending/repairing library books.
Collections
- Simi Valley Library has the Ventura Star (formerly the Simi Valley Enterprise) back to 1912.
- Simi Valley Library has a large collection of automotive repair manuals, biographies, careers, and Simi Valley history.
- Simi Valley Library houses the public review documents for the City of Simi Valley and the Santa Susana Field Laboratory.
- Simi Valley Library has magazines, books on tape and a large DVD collection.
History
The Simi Valley Library was established as a branch of the Ventura County Free Library in 1916 in a Methodist church. In 1930 a new library was opened at 1959 3rd Street. In 1959 the collection totaled 2500 volumes and 12 magazine subscriptions. In the early 1960’s the population of Simi Valley was rapidly increasing and a new building was proposed in 1961. A new Simi Valley Library opened in 1964. The new library was 6,500 square feet and held 60,000 volumes.
Simi Valley’s population continued to grow at a fast pace. The city of Simi Valley and the County of Ventura agreed a new larger library would be valued part of the Civic Center complex given the expanding population. Groundbreaking on the current 32,000 square foot library building took place on November 3, 1977. It was financed by a bond issue for $2,850,000 and the building was dedicated on February 24, 1980.
The January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake caused extensive damage to the library. The library was closed for 3 months for repair work that included replacing windows, reinforcing exterior pillars and stabilizing library shelving with crossbars. The Simi Valley Friends of the Library Bookstore opened for business after the earthquake.
In 2009, as a community project, the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise refurnished the Community Room with new carpet, paint curtains and a sound system. In response to community requests, drive-up book drops were installed on August 24, 2010. This was made possible by a partnership of the Simi Valley Friends of the Library, the City of Simi Valley and the County of Ventura.
The City of Simi Valley withdrew from the Ventura County Library December 31, 2011.