Ray and me at his home June 2, 2009

I knew that Ray Bradbury was coming up to Ventura later this month to help in the effort to save H.P. Wright Library.  So when Michael O’Kelly asked me if I wanted to pay a visit to Ray this afternoon and talk with him about life, the galaxy and the importance of libraries, I said yes.

The importance of a man like Ray is well known, but not to all.  over a career that spans more than seventy years, he has written fifty books, over 600 short stories, television series, radio plays and more.  He still writes every day.  “Do what you love and love what you do” says he. 

On our way back home, we stopped in Malibu for some refreshment, where we encountered young adults who think they have heard of one of his books, but don’t know the man or body of word that he is responsible for.  Trying to be helpful, we fill in the blanks.

We need thinkers like Ray Bradbury, and we need libraries.