Architects

The library was designed by Charles Walton & Associates (CWA). The chief architect was James Nadini. Judy Van Wyk was the interior designer for the project. 

Financing

The building was funded by a grant of $15,621,473 from the California Public Library Construction & Renovation Bond Act of 2000 and $11,000,000 from the City of Camarillo. The Esper A. Petersen Foundation gave a $375,000 grant for the Esper A. Petersen Foundation Study Center.

Size

The current library is four times larger than the old building that opened in 1974 at 3100 Ponderosa Drive. The 65,621 square foot building includes the Friends of the Library Bookstore, Adult Literacy Center, Technology Lab, Russell Fischer Business Collection, meeting rooms, Young Adult Center, Esper A. Petersen Foundation Study Center.

Books & Materials

Since opening as a City Library in 2011, the collection has grown to over 214,000 items including books, DVDs, music CDs, and audiobooks on CD and MP3. The library also subscribes to a variety of electronic resources which provide access to a large number of eBooks, eMagazines, eAudiobooks, digital music, and streaming movies. The library contains the Russell Fischer Business Collection and the Ventura County Genealogical Society collection.

Artwork

The pirate ship, book columns and all the artwork was created by Scenario Design Inc., who has also produced work for Disneyland. The plaques next to each of the works of art give information about the inspiration for the piece and the name of the artist. The California Mission style tiles were made by the California Tile Company. The fountain, tile “carpets” and peacock mural were inspired by 1930s era Malibu tile seen at the Adamson House in Malibu. 

Building Timeline

• March 7, 2000 – voters approve the Bond Act
• March 28, 2001 – grant application process begins
• December 2, 2002 – Camarillo Library Project is one of the 13 grants  awarded
• April 22, 2005 – groundbreaking ceremony
• March 31, 2007 – the new Camarillo Library opens
• October 13, 2010 – the Camarillo City Council voted to leave the Ventura County Library System
• January 3, 2011 – re-opens as the City of Camarillo Public Library