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Collage of films adapted from books
Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, November 8, 2024

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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Close-up of color-coding legend of Los Angeles neighborhoods

Los Angeles Land Covenants, Redlining; Creation and Effects

Steven Kilgore, Administrative Clerk, Special Collections & Digitization, Monday, June 22, 2020

“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.


still from the Welcome to Shelbyville documentary

Celebrate World Refugee Day

Juan Avalos, Administrative Clerk, Digitization and Special Collections, Friday, June 19, 2020

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.


Maggie Tokuda-Hall and her debut novel, The Mermaid, The Witch and The Sea

Interview With an Author: Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, June 18, 2020

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.


Octavia E. Butler at the Central Library in 1995.

Growing up Octavia

Sara Rebman, Librarian, Children's Literature Department, Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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.


Freedman’s Bank

The Freedman’s Bank Was a First Step for Newly Freed Black Citizens

Julie Huffman, Librarian, History & Genealogy Department, Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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.


Collage of featured authors

Read it First: The Lives Behind the Books

Elizabeth Graney, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Tuesday, June 16, 2020

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.


Author Rebecca Serle and her latest novel, In Five Years

Interview With an Author: Rebecca Serle

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Monday, June 15, 2020

Rebecca Serle is an author and television writer who lives in Los Angeles.


Author Annabeth Albert and her latest novel, Conventionally Yours

Interview With an Author: Annabeth Albert

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, June 11, 2020

When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, Annabeth Albert is a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. Her popular LGBTQ+ romances include several fan-favorite and critically acclaimed series.


Books by authors that were influenced by Octavia Butler

Octavia’s Influence

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Wednesday, June 10, 2020

This month is not only the first anniversary of the Octavia Lab at the Central Library, a do-it-yourself studio space, but also Octavia E.


Collage of ten novels that influenced Alfred Hitchcock's best films

Ten Novels That Inspired Alfred Hitchcock

Robert Anderson, Librarian, Literature & Fiction Department, Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Forty years after his death, film director Alfred Hitchcock is still known as “the master of suspense”, and his movies retain their popularity and critical acclaim.


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