The Russell Fischer Business Collection premiered at the Camarillo Public Library on Wednesday, May 22. 

Russell Fischer was a local citrus farmer who passed away in 2005 at the age of 93, leaving an $11 million estate to the Ventura County Community Foundation to be split among five non-profit entities, including the Camarillo Public Library.

The Library was bequeathed a total of $2,764,149.07, according to Camarillo Mayor Charlotte Craven, at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Fischer asked that the library funds be used on business related resources.  The grand opening marked the initial phase of growing the collection, which will eventually include business related print books and electronic books, online training videos and databases.  The library also has created a workspace area that is well suited for business research and collaboration. The library also plans to incorporate events, seminars and training workshops with a focus on business related topics.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Lynda Weinman of Lynda.com gave a keynote speech, sharing the story of how she and her husband founded and grew the company into a leading provider of online education, helping millions of individuals around the world.  Lynda.com subscriptions will be available to the public at no charge on a number of computers in the Russell Fischer Business Collection.

The collection is located on the 2nd floor of the library. For more information, visit www.camarillolibrary.org or call 805.388.5222.