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Author D.J. Waldie and his latest book, Elements of Los Angeles: Earth, Water, Air, Fire
Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, December 11, 2025

D.J. Waldie is a historian of Los Angeles, a memoirist, and a translator. He is the author of Holy Land: A Suburban Memoir (1995),...

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Author Joshilyn Jackson and her latest novel, Mother May I

Interview With an Author: Joshilyn Jackson

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Monday, April 12, 2021

Joshilyn Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including Gods in Alabama and


Portrait of Florence Price taken by G. Niledoff

Happy Birthday, Florence Price - Groundbreaking Composer

Alan Westby, Librarian, Art, Music & Recreation Department, Friday, April 9, 2021

On Easter Sunday, 1939, contralto Marian Anderson performed one of the most significant concerts in American history.


Author W. S. Winslow and her first novel, The Northern Reach

Interview With an Author: W.S. Winslow

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, April 8, 2021

W. S. Winslow was born and raised in Maine but spent her working life in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. A ninth-generation Mainer, she now lives in a small town Downeast most of the year. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in French from the University of Maine, and an MFA from NYU.


Curtis Mayfield

Mining Gold From The Music Stream: The Impressions - This Is My Country

Aaron M. Olson, Messenger Clerk, Silver Lake Branch Library, Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Curtis Mayfield was a musical giant.


A group of laughing kids

21st Century Kids: Laugh out Loud

Mona Gilbert, Children's Librarian, Northridge Branch Library, Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Did you know April is National Humor Month? Laughter is necessary to keep spirits lifted and hold onto a positive attitude. Reading a funny story, poem, or collection of jokes will bring a smile to your face. The Los Angeles Library provides readers with a variety of humorous books.


excert page from Stone Soup by Jon J Muth

Creating Delicious Experiences: Children, Books, and Food

Jennifer Murphy, Librarian III, Palms - Rancho Park Branch Library, Thursday, April 1, 2021

In the folktale Stone Soup, a traveler is turned away from an inhospitable community until he claims he can make soup from a stone. As he boils a stone in a pot of water, people are drawn out of their homes by their curiosity.


Author Willy Vlautin and his newest novel, The Night Always Comes

Interview With an Author: Willy Vlautin

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, April 1, 2021

Willy Vlautin is the author of five novels: The Motel Life, which was made into a film starring Dakota Fanning, Emile Hersh, and Stephen Dorff;


vintage crayola crayon boxes

The Day the Crayons Were Made

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Wednesday, March 31, 2021

If you look up, "What is a crayon?", you will get a dictionary definition like this: A crayon (or wax pastel) is a stick of pigmented wax used for writing or drawing.


Monica Shannon and her Newbery Award-winning book, Dobry

Monica Shannon: Advocate for Libraries, Leprechauns and Luckless Pigwidgeons

Tiffney Sanford, Librarian, North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Branch Library, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

You may know Monica Shannon as the author of the 1935 Newbery Award-winning book Dobry, but have you read her fairy tales set in California? They are remarkably descriptive and among the strangest books, I’ve read in a long time.


Girl reads a graphic novel while having a grilled ham and cheese sandwich

21st Century Kids: Discover the Classics With Graphic Novels

Mona Gilbert, Children's Librarian, Northridge Branch Library, Tuesday, March 30, 2021

The idea of adapting classic stories into a graphic novel format is intriguing. Moreover, classic books are listed on required reading book lists and are a staple of libraries. Therefore, it’s not unusual for readers to have familiarity prior to exploring alternative formats.


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