Our newest database in the Ventura County eLibrary, DemographicsNow: Business & People, is the ideal resource for those in need of a comprehensive business and residential research tool.

DemographicsNow: Business & People provides in-depth demographic variables and trends through reports, maps, and charts. Use DemographicsNow for tools to find businesses and target populations for informed and timely decision making.

Begin at the Ventura County eLibrary > Business subject link. Click on DemographicsNow: Business & People and get started with the great information found in the "VIEW OUR TUTORIALS" link (see the red arrow in the screen shot shown). Take the step-by-step instructions to learn how to:

• Generate a demographic report
• Find businesses and people
• Use maps to find your competition and choose a location for your business
• Create a sales lead list
• Access the 2010 Census Data
• Assess the market and risk factors for your business

It's Wednesday, so grab your favorite beverage and sit down to enjoy the latest Library Lad, which comes out each week.

Need to catch up? Find past Library Lad columns in the Library Lad's Blog Archive. Of course, you can be sure to get each week's blog by subscribing!

Happy reading!

September is Library Card Sign-up Month and the Ventura County Library (VCL) wants to make sure all residents of Ventura County have the smartest card of all – a library card.

“Your library card is the most important school supply of all,” says Library Director, Jackie Griffin. “There’s a lot happening at Ventura County Library, and the best part for both children and parents, is that it’s all free with a library card.”

Getting a library card is easy. Visit a Ventura County Library, complete the library card application form and present it at the circulation desk along with picture identification showing your current street address.

VCL - the place to go when you want to know!

We are extremely pleased to introduce three exciting new databases in our eLibrary, including a streaming video collection, a world almanac and a set of online biographies!

Access Video On Demand (AVOD) features streaming video from outstanding producers and broadcasters, including BBC, PBS, Biography, History Channel, National Geographic, Rick Steves and hundreds more! AVOD offers thousands of videos on a variety of topics.

The World Almanac Online features authoritative, essential statistics on hundreds of topics. Includes full color maps, flags, graphs, and charts. This database uses Google Translate to offer content in 53 languages.

Chelsea Biographies Online is an online biography resource for middle and high school students. Includes both contemporary and historical subjects. This database uses Google Translate to offer content in 53 languages.

If you do nothing else - enjoy the video selection at AVOD!

Celebrate the finale of Simi Valley Library's first Summer Reading Program for Adults by attending an Author's Panel moderated by local author Alexis O'Neill on Saturday, August 18 at 2pm at Simi Valley Library.

Panelists will include Margaret Brownley, author of western romance and self-help; Jerilyn Farmer, author of contemporary mysteries; Jeri Westerson, author of historical mysteries set in medieval times and Diantha Ain, haiku poet.

A drawing for prizes for participants in Between the Covers Summer Reading Program for Adults will also be part of the festivities. Come join us!

Zombies Invade Ojai Library

The Ojai Library is joining 71 public libraries nationwide in an all-night program featuring contests, author visits via Skype, Wii games, stories, movies, food and fun. Each library will post game scores to a dedicated website where national winners will be selected.

Zombies ages 10 to 16 are welcome.

SLEEP IS OPTIONAL. PARENT PERMISSION FORMS ARE MANDATORY!

Lock-down begins 6:30pm Friday August 3. Zombies will be released 8:00am Saturday August 4.

For more info: your Zombie contact is Julie Albright 646-1639

Have you received exceptional assistance from a librarian? Has your library made a difference in your life? The 'I Love My Librarian' award encourages library users to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional librarians.

You can show your appreciation and nominate your librarian for the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award!  Nominations for 2012 stay open through September 12.