County wants to stop paying nonresident library fees

The Ventura County Library Services Commission voted last week to recommend that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors stop paying for city of Thousand Oaks library services for residents of unincorporated areas.

Taxes go from those residents to the county to pay for library services. The closest county library is in Camarillo. The county has been paying Thousand Oaks the fees since 1989.

Supervisor Kathy Long, Ventura Councilmember Bill Fulton, Ojai Councilmember Carol Smith, Fillmore Councilmember Jamey Brooks and Port Hueneme Councilmember Sylvia Munoz voted in favor of the recommendation to stop. Camarillo Mayor Kevin Kildee and Simi Valley Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Foster voted against it.

After the meeting Supervisor Linda Parks said that Thousand Oaks is the only city in the county that charges other county residents for library services. She said she thinks libraries, like parks, should be free for everyone.

Still, Parks would want the county to continue paying for library services for unincorporated areas if that were the only way Thousand Oaks would let those residents use its city libraries. "I want to make sure that everyone can use the library," Parks said.

Last year on Aug. 21, the county commission directed Jackie Griffin, county library director, to start a conversation with Thousand Oaks to let the city know the county was moving in the direction to stop paying for the services.

Thousand Oaks library services director Steve Brogden said then that the county pays Thousand Oaks to provide services for residents of Ventu Park, incorporated Newbury Park, Lynn Ranch, Lake Sherwood and Casa Conejo.

The library's budget paid by the taxpayers was about $9 million this past year.

People can come and use the library, but if they want to check anything out they need a library card.

Library patrons who live outside the city and the contract area with the county are charged $70 each for a library card.