| LOCAL HISTORY |
|
The
Oxnard Public Library has a collection of approximately 400 photographs
of historical interest. A variety of subjects are included, such as buildings,
streets, homes, portraits, and social gatherings. The photographs are indexed
according to subject matter. Patrons seeking photos on particular subjects
may also view a binder with photocopies of the photographs in order to
select the ones to view. The selected
In
an effort to pull information together in one, easy-to-view packet, files
have been organized and indexed according to subject matter on a variety
of topics. Biography files of information gathered from books, journal
and newspaper articles, and oral histories concerning Oxnard citizens of
particular interest are available for use in the library. Ephemera files
may contain journal or newspaper articles, programs, excerpts from books
or memorabilia concerning a particular subject. The topic may be a local
business, organization, neighborhood, special event, or recreational activity.
Richard B. Haydock, Educator
The library has a good collection of Oxnard Union High School yearbooks starting with 1907. Since the library relied on donations for a number of years there are some missing ones and we are always pleased to receive donated yearbooks in the hopes of filling the gaps.
Library staff began indexing the Oxnard Press Courier in 1954. Entries were made on 3 X 5" cards and filed in alphabetical order according to the subject matter of an article. When the Press Courier closed its doors, attention turned to indexing of the Oxnard Star. In 1995 the project of computerizing the index began to take shape and a major system upgrade in 1997 made it possible to put the newspaper index on the computers accessible throughout the library. Since this is a very time-consuming project, it will be a while before we get fully caught up and have a complete index beginning with 1900, but that is our goal.
The library subscribes to the Ventura County Historical Society Quarterly and has an index of articles on a card catalog. Our goal will be to eventually have the index computerized for easy searching. The journal is a valuable resource for information concerning the rich history of the County of Ventura and a number of articles which focus on the city of Oxnard and its citizens.
ArtCatalog.comThe Library has a fine example of the murals created by Jessie Arms Botke. Please visit The Art Catalog site for more information about the artist.
The library has a collection of books which provide information about the history of Oxnard and Ventura County. Subjects such as biographies of notable citizens, development of specific areas of agriculture and towns, old city directories, family memoirs, and more. Since the city of Oxnard developed as a direct result of the factory built by the American Beet Sugar Company the library has an excellent collection of information concerning the sugar beet industry in the United States, and early indexing of the Press Courier reveals the competition between the sugar beet and cane sugar industries.
The library welcomes donations of photographs,
memoirs, programs of special events, or any item of interest to the history
of Oxnard. Citizens wishing to provide an oral history or make a donation
to the Local History Collection are encouraged to contact Brenda
Crispin at 385-7420.
Return
to OPL Home