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Films and their adapted books
Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, December 5, 2025

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. But if you don't know your beloved series is coming out as a movie or that the fun-looking preview you saw was adapted from a book, how can you join the debate? The Library is here to the rescue! Here, we will be...

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Cynthia Hand and her latest novel, The How and The Why

Interview With an Author: Cynthia Hand

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Friday, April 24, 2020

Cynthia Hand is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for teens, including the Unearthly trilogy, The Afterlife of Holly Chase,


 Armenian Classical Writers header

Armenian Classical Writers

David Turshyan, Librarian, International Languages Department, Friday, April 24, 2020

Here is a centuries-old Armenian riddle by Nerses Shnorhali.


No feathers and no wings it has,
Swifter than a bird it flies,
From land to land it tours and turns,
With companions it returns.


old red compact car in bad shape

Shifting Into Second Gear: More Odes to My First Car

Christa Deitrick, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Thursday, April 23, 2020

Welcome to the penultimate batch of affectionate, exasperated, and always entertaining poems written by our staff about their first car. We threw down the challenge last week as part of National Poetry Month, and the response was automatic!


Film adaptations of Shakespeare's works

Read it First: At Home Edition - Shakespeare with a Twist!

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Thursday, April 23, 2020

Did you know that scholars are uncertain as to Shakespeare’s actual birthday? We have a record of his baptism on April 26, 1564 and a burial marker that states he was 52 when he passed, but no more physical evidence to go on.


Face shields made by 3D printing machines in LAPL's Octavia Lab.

3-D Printing Face Shields in the Octavia Lab

Bob Timmermann, Senior Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Wednesday, April 22, 2020

When the library's Octavia Lab opened in June of 2019, it was envisioned as a collaborative work-space for creatives, makers, and hobbyists.


Collage of poetry books for children

Sheer Perfection, No Objection, Near Confection: Poetry for Kids

Caitlin Quinn, Children's Librarian, Eagle Rock Branch Library, Tuesday, April 21, 2020

"Sheer perfection, no objection, near confection" —Fred Rogers


1918 Poster about influenza

When L.A. Fought the Pandemic and Won

Glen Creason, Librarian III, History & Genealogy Department, Saturday, April 18, 2020

It was a time when Angelenos should have been preparing to head out into the streets waving victory flags and knocking back belts of whiskey before the commencement of the dreaded Volstead act.


1980 Ford Fiesta

Odes to My First Car

Christa Deitrick, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Thursday, April 16, 2020

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we gave Los Angeles Public Library staffers a poetry prompt—Write an Ode to Your First Car—and the response was Fast and Furious!


Film and play adaptations of Shakespeare's favorite works

Read it First: At Home Edition - Shakespeare With Familiar Faces

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Thursday, April 16, 2020

Ah, April. The month we celebrate Spring, National Poetry Month and the birth (and death) of one Mr. William Shakespeare. Arguably the most famous author of all time, Shakespeare’s works are perennial favorites, having been performed for centuries.


a librarian using a library photo as virtual background

Library Backgrounds for Your Next Zoom Meeting / Tu biblioteca como fondo de Zoom

Madeline Peña, Principal Librarian, Community Engagement and Outreach, Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Are you using Zoom to communicate with colleagues, family, and friends while staying safe at home? Here's a gallery of library photos you can display as virtual backgrounds during your next meeting.


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