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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Autobiographical Audiobooks, Read by the Author
Actor biographies are consistently one of the most popular parts of the Literature Department holdings. The extremely large collection features biographies and autobiographies of film stars, comedians, and television performers.
Becoming Octavia
As the month of June comes to an end, we are celebrating the first anniversary of the Octavia Lab and Octavia E.
Heavy Metal Music at the Library
The library is home to many resources, even heavy metal music. We make it possible to indulge people on a headbanging journey on demand through resources such as hoopla and Freegal.
Puppy Training
The MarketWatch news portal reported on May 20, National Rescue Dog Day, that pet adoptions had “seen a spike” during the recent nation-wide lockdowns as people sought companionship, a distraction from the news, and a sense of purpose, among other stated reasons.
Los Angeles Land Covenants, Redlining; Creation and Effects
“Today I sketched the preliminary plans for a large country house which will be erected in one of the most beautiful residential districts in the world... Sometimes I have dreamed of living there. I could afford such a home.
Celebrate World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is June 20, a day to celebrate the courage and resilience of refugees all over the world. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Refugee Act and since that time, California has always been among the top destinations for refugee resettlement.
Interview With an Author: Maggie Tokuda-Hall
Maggie Tokuda-Hall is the author of the Parent's Choice Gold Medal-winning picture book, Also an Octopus, illustrated by Benji Davies. She lives in Oakland, California, with her husband, son, and objectively perfect dog.
Growing up Octavia
This week we are exploring Octavia E. Butler’s childhood and some great science fiction books for children, as we continue to celebrate her birthday and the first anniversary of the Octavia Lab.
The Freedman’s Bank Was a First Step for Newly Freed Black Citizens
The notion of having one’s own savings account is commonplace to us modern folk. But for former slaves—many of whom had never even seen money—it was an alien concept. And, in a country that runs on capitalism, getting the hang of money management was (and is) essential to survival.
Read it First: The Lives Behind the Books
On this blog we have featured hundreds of films adapted from novels and short stories by authors from across the world and throughout history. While we have celebrated their works both on page and on screen, we’ve yet to take a look at the people behind the words.