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Bruce Borgos between his 2 books covers, Shades of Mercy and the Bitter Past
Photo credit: Pam Borgos
Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, July 18, 2024

Bruce Borgos lives and writes from the Nevada desert where he works hard every day to prove his high school guidance counselor had good instincts when he said, "You'll never be an astronaut." He has a degree in political science, which mostly served to dissuade him from a career in law while at the same...

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Panoramic view of Heart Mountain Relocation Center, the WWII Japanese American internment camp in Wyoming, [ca 1943]. Shades of L.A.: Japanese American Community

Memoirs of Japanese-Americans Incarcerated During World War II

Deborah Savage, Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Monday, May 9, 2022

By the late nineteenth century, the West Coast of the United States was home to thriving Japanese communities. After the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred the immigration of Chinese workers, Japanese laborers were sought for many industries, including agriculture and fishing.


Author Alma Katsu and her latest novels, The Fervor

Interview With an Author: Alma Katsu

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, May 5, 2022

Alma Katsu is the award-winning author of six novels, most recently Red Widow,


Collage of films adapted from books

Read It First! Movie Adaptations in Theaters This Month

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Wednesday, May 4, 2022

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.


Collage of vintage photos from Tessa.org

Why We Need Another Celebration Month

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Saturday, April 30, 2022

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. It was officially declared on April 20, 2006. The month of May was chosen due to the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History. 350 years. That's a lot of years!


Author Gary Philips and his latest novel, One-Shot Harry

Interview With an Author: Gary Phillips

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, April 28, 2022

Son of a mechanic and a librarian, Gary Philips has published various novels, comics, novellas, and short stories, worked in TV and edited or co-edited several anthologies including the Anthony-winning


Sims Poetry Library from the outside

Poetry Month: Sims Library of Poetry

Catherine Sturgeon, Children's Librarian, Angeles Mesa Branch Library, Monday, April 25, 2022

It began with a man and a suitcase of poetry. Hiram Sims, professor and poet, started this journey by loaning books of poems to his students at the Community Literature Initiative’s (CLI) Poetry Publishing Class. One of the requirements for the class was to read a poetry book a week.


Group of volunteers gathered outdoors during a volunteer recognition event in 2017

Thank You, Volunteers!

Isabella Ramirez, Librarian, Volunteer Engagement, Thursday, April 21, 2022

Volunteers have always been a part of the library. But do you know the impact they have on our communities? Currently, we have over 3,000 active volunteers. That is an additional workforce that is larger than a lot of organizations.


Author Peter Swanson and his latest novel, Nine Lives

Interview With an Author: Peter Swanson

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, April 21, 2022

Peter Swanson is the New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Kind Worth Killing, winner of the New England Society Book Award, and finalist for t


Children at the beach with floatie toys

5 Picture Books About Beaches & Oceans

Kadie Seitz, Librarian, Youth Services, Tuesday, April 19, 2022

California Nouns: People, Places, and Things
Beaches & Oceans


Dodger Stadium a view from the stands

Baseball is Back! 9 Classic Baseball Novels

David Kelly, Senior Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Friday, April 15, 2022

A little over a month ago the prospect of Major League Baseball’s opening day arriving on time looked bleak at best and the possibility of a long work stoppage loomed. Thankfully, everyone came to their senses and another baseball season has started.


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