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Author Scott Thomas and his latest novel, Midwestern Gothic
Author Scott Thomas and his latest novel, Midwestern Gothic
Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, September 19, 2024

Scott Thomas is the Stoker-nominated author of Kill Creek, which was selected by the American Library Association's reader committee as the top horror book of 2017,...

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Decoration Day parade in Pasadena, 1891

What Memorial Day Looked Like in Vintage Los Angeles

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Saturday, May 26, 2018

Memorial Day is officially observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. It was originally known as Decoration Day because families would decorate the graves of those who had fallen in the Civil War.


Looking northeast towards Brighton Beach

Brighton Beach Memoir: A Look at a Lost Los Angeles Community

Nicholas Beyelia, Librarian, History and Genealogy Department, Friday, May 25, 2018

At some point in 1889 the president and (later) chairman of the board of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles, Jackson A. Graves, decided that his Alhambra residence simply wasn’t as relaxing for his family as he would like.


Photographer Rolland J. Curtis and his mother, Mathilda Curtis. They are standing near a Delta Airlines plane, and she is wearing a corsage.

Speedy and His Camera: The Rolland J. Curtis Collection of Negatives and Photographs

Photo Friends, Thursday, May 24, 2018

Born in Louisiana in 1922, Rolland J. Curtis came to Los Angeles with his wife in 1946 after serving in the Marines during WWII.


Mrs. Elwood Berney lying in bed with her children

What Mother's Day Looked Like in Vintage Los Angeles

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Saturday, May 12, 2018

In the United States, Mother's Day is always celebrated on the second Sunday of May. In some countries, it was changed to dates that were significant to the majority religion, or to historical dates.


Teens crowned prom king and queen, 1961

Will You Go To Prom With Me?

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Friday, May 11, 2018

The prom in all its drama has been around a lot longer than I thought. Originating somewhere in the1870s as a college tradition called the Promenade, it was a debutante coming out kind of thing.


John Kessel and his book Pride and Prometheus

Interview With an Author: John Kessel

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Wednesday, May 9, 2018

John Kessel holds a B.A. in Physics and English and a Ph.D. in American Literature. He helped found and served as the first director of the MFA program in creative writing at North Carolina State University, where he has taught since 1982. He is also an award-winning author.


Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with Chalk board and apple

Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week

Lauren Kratz, Librarian III, Octavia Lab, Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Every year during the first full week of May, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Of course, teachers should be celebrated all year long, but a United States national holiday is a good reminder to show our teachers some extra love and appreciation. I remember my favorite teacher was Ms.


Claire Evans author photo

Interview with an Author: Claire Evans

Angi Brzycki, Senior Librarian, Digitization & Special Collections, Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Claire L. Evans is a writer and musician.


Cinco de Mayo plus colorful banners

What Cinco de Mayo Looked Like in Vintage Los Angeles

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Friday, May 4, 2018

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday commemorating just one event: The Battle of Puebla, which was a day of victory for the Mexican army against the French in 1862. Over 150 years later, people still mistake the holiday for Mexican Independence Day which is September 16.


lots of star wars book covers

Star Wars Books to Share With Your Children

Lauren Kratz, Librarian III, Octavia Lab, Thursday, May 3, 2018

“Where are your Star Wars books?” This is a very popular question librarians receive from children and their caregivers at the library.


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