The Camarillo Library service area includes Camarillo, Somis and other contiguous unincorporated areas. Our membership of approximately 900 people largely resides in this area. Since its beginnings in the early 70s, the Friends has consistently supported the Library, with more financial support in the last decade as a result of the Friends Bookstore.

 

After losing the ability to host "white tent sales", and realizing book sales were an important source of funding, Friends opened a bookstore in the Las Posas Shopping Center. The all-volunteer Friends Bookstore was successfully operated for five years, resulting in the Friends substantially increasing its support for the Camarillo Library. During this time the Friends was setting funds aside for the replacement of the existing Library.

 

In 2003, the City of Camarillo secured a State of California library grant to construct a new, modern and more spacious library. During the planning of the new library, the City offered the Friends space to relocate the Friends Bookstore in the new library building. With the new library under construction but not yet completed, and the loss of the Las Posas Shopping Center storefront, the Friends large stock of books was put into storage until the new Friends Bookstore space was available.

 

The present Friends Bookstore opened on March 26, 2007, at the new Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Road. It is now a vital part of the magnificent Camarillo Library. The Bookstore continues to be operated and managed with the help of more than 100 volunteers. The Bookstore is open five days a week to serve the public. Over the years, the Friends has provided more than 3 million dollars to the Library for books, materials and support of Library programs and to help meet the unmet needs of the Library.