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Three librarians are pictured in front of the burning Central Library
Librarians Billie Connor, Helene Mochedlover, and Katie Leidich sit across the street from Central Library during the Fire. Leo Jarzomb/Los Angeles Herald Examiner Collection
Christina Rice, Senior Librarian, Photo Collection, April 29, 2026

As we spend the year commemorating the centennial of Central Library, it's also necessary to acknowledge a less celebratory, but still important milestone—the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Central Library Fire. The blaze, which ignited shortly before 11 a.m. on April 29, took over seven hours to extinguish and claimed roughly 400,000 books due to fire, smoke, or water damage. The tragic event...

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vintage halloween postcard

Halloween: From Turnips to TikTok

Maya Peterpaul, Librarian, Business & Economics Department, Saturday, October 26, 2024

Since its Celtic Pagan origins as Samhain in Ireland over 2,000 years ago, Halloween has grown to become a multi-billion dollar global industry. From 12-foot skeletons to DIY haunted house attractions, Halloween has captured the imagination and celebratory spirit of children and adults alike.


altered program from 1963 world series

The Bums and the Bombers in the World Series - West Coast Style

Bob Timmermann, Senior Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Friday, October 25, 2024

While we await the start of the 2024 World Series Friday between the Dodgers and the Yankees over at 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, we wanted to take a look back at the most frequent World Series matchup, albeit one that has not happened in 43 years.


Author M. L. Rio and her first novella, Graveyard Shift

Interview With an Author: M. L. Rio

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, October 24, 2024

M. L. Rio holds an MA in Shakespeare studies from King’s College London and Shakespeare’s Globe and a PhD in English from the University of Maryland, College Park.


2 plant monsters eating an invasive species

The Unwanted Guests of Los Angeles: A Tale of Invasive Species

Vivienne Byrd, Librarian III, Exploration & Creativity Department, Thursday, October 24, 2024

Imagine taking a leisurely stroll through Los Angeles's natural landscapes, where the native wildlife thrives and the local vegetation flourishes. Now, picture a group of uninvited guests crashing the party.


4 photos of Fernando on the pitch

RIP Fernando Valenzuela

Bob Timmermann, Senior Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Just three days before the Dodgers start play in the World Series against the Yankees on Friday, we found out that one of the most beloved of all Dodgers players, Fernando Valenzuela, passed away at the age of 63.


Translator, Shanna Tan of book Marigold Mind Laundry by Chŏng-ŭn Yun

Interview With Translator, Shanna Tan

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, October 17, 2024

Shanna Tan is a Singaporean translator working from Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.


Writer Ryan Love and his debut novel, Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out

Interview With an Author: Ryan Love

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, October 10, 2024

Born and raised in the island town of Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, Ryan Love is a NCTJ-qualified journalist.


Ste. Ostrich in Manhattan: The Visitations of a Martyr book(1990)

Looking at Art: Ste. Ostrich in Manhattan: The Visitations of a Martyr

Nicholas Beyelia, Librarian, History and Genealogy Department, Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Ste. Ostrich in Manhattan: The Visitations of a Martyr (1990) was written and illustrated by Lois Morrison, with Julie Chen serving as the paper engineer.


Collage of films adapted from books

Read It First! Movie Adaptations in Theaters This Month

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Monday, October 7, 2024

If you've heard it once, you've heard it a million times—the book was better! There's nothing like debating the differences between a favorite book and its translation to the screen.


Performer and writer Kate McKinnon and her debut novel, The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science?

Interview With an Author: Kate McKinnon

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, October 3, 2024

Kate McKinnon is an award-winning performer and writer who is celebrated globally for her work in film and television. Young readers will recognize her voice role as "Ms.


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