Simi Valley Recognizes Library Staff and Services During National Library Week
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — The Simi Valley Public Library received official recognition at the April 20 City Council meeting when Deputy Community Services Director Anna Medina presented a proclamation declaring April 19-25, 2026 as National Library Week.
Mayor Dee Dee Cavanaugh endorsed the proclamation and challenged residents to visit if they haven't been recently. "If you have not been there recently, you really need to go in there and check it out. We have so many innovative ideas going on there," she said.
The newest addition to library services is a mobile van that brings programming directly to people where they are. The Library on the Go service was launched last year. It brings books, media, laptops and programming to various locations throughout the city, including parks, senior living facilities and schools,
The library at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road houses more than 140,000 books, movies, magazines and audiobooks. Digital cardholders access additional resources through Cloud Library for ebooks and audiobooks, Hoopla for streaming music and video, and research databases that include online newspapers and business tools.
The facility serves multiple languages with Spanish-language resources and large-print collections. Computers are available for public use, and visitors can print directly from their phones.
Programming runs throughout the year with expanded offerings during summer months. Monday morning story time takes place in the children's room. Teenagers have a dedicated lounge space and participate in an advisory group that helps shape teen programming.
Adult services include English conversation groups, writer's workshops, and partnerships with adult literacy tutors. The library also provides pathways to online high school diploma completion. Meeting rooms are available for community groups.
The library operates as a municipal facility after withdrawing from the Ventura County Library System in 2013. The City Council approved the withdrawal in December 2011 and contracted with Library Systems & Services, LLC for daily operations. That partnership continues today.
Current hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Residents can call (805) 526-1735 or visit simivalleylibrary.org for upcoming events and program schedules.
During the April 20 council meeting, Cavanaugh recognized the staff who maintain daily operations and create the welcoming environment that defines the library experience. The mayor noted that libraries depend entirely on the people who run them, and Simi Valley's facility benefits from dedicated employees who understand their role in community life.
The proclamation comes as libraries nationwide face questions about their relevance in digital times. The Simi Valley library's response has been to expand services beyond traditional book lending, offering everything from streaming media access to career development resources.
Summer programming will begin in June when school ends and families look for educational activities. The library's programming calendar typically increases during these months to serve students and working parents who need reliable, safe spaces for children.
The mobile van program will continue expanding its reach into neighborhoods that may have transportation barriers to visiting the main library. Staff plan to announce additional mobile service locations as the program develops.
