Juan Carlo / Star staff Star Soto, youth librarian for H.P. Wright Library in Ventura, reads "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to children as part of children's story hour. The library conducts a free family program on the first Wednesday of the month.

Librarian Mary Lynch was driving downtown in Ventura when she saw something that inspired her to bring a new offering to families at the H.P. Wright branch library.

What she saw was a street performance by Pulse Drumming, a Ventura group that specializes in West African rhythms, dance and song.

"I had been driving past them on Main Street and thought how interesting they were," Lynch recalled.

With that, she recruited Pulse Drumming to perform "Lions, Tigers and Drums, an African Musical Safari with Budhi Harlow" at the library. The band plays at 3 p.m. Dec. 5.

"They will parade around the library with horns, drums and noisemakers," Lynch said. "I think the kids will have a blast."

The drumming event is part of the library's ongoing free family program, which began several years ago and is offered on the first Wednesday of the month.

Some of the past programs have featured presentations by the Humane Society, Ventura firefighters, martial arts students and the Oxnard Gem and Mineral Society.

Events for families

"We look for programs that will be of interest to many age groups, especially things families can do together," said Star Soto, youth librarian.

Family programs draw people to the library and remind them of the many accurate and verifiable resources that are available for free, Lynch said.

"Information is vital to a democratic society, and an educated and informed population can make better decisions," Lynch said.

With the Internet and the ability for everyone to be their own publisher, the ability to analyze information becomes ever more important, Lynch added.

"Libraries offer books and databases written by known authors and published by companies that are willing to take responsibility for their work."

The picture book collection is also an incredible resource, Lynch said. "Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of books are available for free, and you get to return them so you don't have to build shelving to put them on."

Getting exposure to language

In addition to the free family program, storytimes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, Soto added.

"Storytimes introduce children to the library and re-introduce their parents," Soto said. "Children get exposure to language and learn to enjoy reading. We hope that storytimes will help make reading a lifelong habit, and create the happy memories of a parent and child enjoying a story together."

Kim Brower, the owner of Pulse Drumming, expects families to have an interactive cultural experience when West Africa culture is brought to life through rhythm, dance and song.

"Animals play a very large role in the West African culture and their relationship to the generational storytelling," Brower said. "Masks are an important part of African storytelling, and each child will receive their own mask to take home and decorate how they wish."

Fun and interactive programs

The goal at Pulse Drumming is to create cultural understanding through experience, she added.

"The programs are fun, exciting and very interactive," Brower said. "No matter your age or ability, everyone is able to experience instant success in the world of percussion."

In addition to the library program Dec. 5, Pulse Drumming can be seen by the public locally on Dec. 2, during the downtown Ventura Street Fair. The troupe will perform that day from 10 to 11 a.m. at Santa Clara and California streets and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Fir and Main streets.

The H.P. Wright Library is at 57 Day Road in Ventura. For more information, visit www.vencolibrary.org or call 652-6219.