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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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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


Census 2020 graphic

Census Day: There’s Still Time to be Counted

Madeleine Ildefonso, Senior Librarian, Office of Civics and Community Services, Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Census Day was April 1—but there’s still time to be counted. The Census has now been extended to September 30, 2020.

It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet a Census taker.


No-sew fabric face mask

Mask Making Made Easy

Amanda Mellor, Administrative Clerk, Octavia Lab, Monday, April 20, 2020

All Angelenos are required to wear non-medical face coverings in public to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 at this time. While bandannas and scarves are good starting points, what if you want to wear a fabric mask?


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.


Flash Fiction book covers

Flash Fiction: Telling the Whole Story in 1500 Words or Less

Sheryn Morris, Librarian, Literature & Fiction, Wednesday, April 15, 2020

If you are having trouble staying focused these days, you’re not alone. Your concentration may not be what it was, so this is a good time for flash fiction, a genre of very, very, very short stories.


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