Blanchard: SHARE

Blanchard SHARE is a community initiative of Blanchard Community Library focused on identifying and connecting with local residents who are willing to share what they know with others.Santa Paula is full of people with valuable skills, creativity, and lived experience. Blanchard SHARE is about making space for that knowledge to be shared—across generations, across interests, and across our community.

What is Blanchard SHARE?

Blanchard SHARE is currently in its information-gathering stage. The Library is building a growing network of community members who may be open to sharing their skills, hobbies, arts, or regional expertise in ways that feel comfortable and appropriate for them.

Participants may be invited in the future to take part in:

Library programs or workshops
Demonstrations or short talks
Informal conversations or learning opportunities
Other community-centered activities supported by the Library

At this stage, the Library’s focus is on listening and learning—getting a better understanding of the knowledge and interests already present in our community.

What kinds of expertise are we looking for?

Blanchard SHARE is intentionally broad. You do not need formal credentials or teaching experience to participate.

Areas of interest might include (but are not limited to):

Local or family history
Arts, crafts, or creative practices
Technology, electronics, or digital skills
Gardening, foodways, or sustainability
Trades, professions, or career pathways
Hobbies, collections, or hands-on skills
Lived or place-based knowledge rooted in Santa Paula or the region

If you enjoy sharing what you know—or are simply open to the idea—we’d love to hear from you.

What does participation involve?

Participation in Blanchard SHARE is voluntary and flexible.

Registering:

Does not guarantee a programming opportunity
Does not create an employment or ongoing volunteer obligation
Does not require a commitment beyond what you choose

The Library’s role is to help facilitate and support connections, provide space when appropriate, and work collaboratively with participants to shape meaningful learning experiences.

Why the Library is doing this?

Blanchard SHARE grew out of conversations with long-time Santa Paula residents and deeply engaged library patrons who asked how the Library might help preserve and pass on the talent, knowledge, and lived experience that make this community unique.

By supporting shared learning and cross-generational exchange, Blanchard Community Library hopes Blanchard SHARE will help foster deeper connections, meaningful shared experiences, and a more resilient community rooted in local knowledge.

Call to action

Interested in participating?

If you’re willing to share your skills, hobbies, arts, or regional expertise, we invite you to register with Blanchard SHARE.