LAPL Blog

Latest Posts

Mario Vargas Llosa
Nicholas Clayton, Librarian, Multilingual Collections, April 18, 2025

Mario Vargas Llosa nació el 28 de marzo de 1936 en Arequipa, Perú y falleció en Lima el 13 de abril a los 89 años de edad. Durante su vida, vivió en varios países como Perú, Bolivia, España, y Francia. Ganó el premio Príncipe de Asturias en 1986 y también el premio Nobel de Literatura en 2010. Autor de más de 50 obras de literatura incluidos Conversación en la catedral, Cartas a...

Pages

Graphic of blooming cherry blossom tree

Cherry Blossoms and Our Asian American Pacific Heritage

Eileen King, Librarian, Art & Music Department, Thursday, May 14, 2020

Are you ready for a springtime of cherry blossoms? Like the countless petals carpeting the ground beneath the cherry tree, there are many ways to enjoy celebrating the return of warm sunshine, cool breezes, and the pale shades of pink of these five-petal flowers.


Collage of children's books about California

California Books for California Kids

Sara Rebman, Librarian, Children's Literature Department, Wednesday, May 13, 2020

California, the golden state, has always inspired people. Over the years movies have been made, songs have been recorded, and books written. But are there any children’s books about our fair state?


Book covers of recommended Pantone and color related books

Which Pantone Color of the Year Are You?

Rachel Kitzmann, Adult Librarian, Art, Music and Recreation Department, Tuesday, May 12, 2020

In the year 2000, Pantone, a company most known for its precision color matching system, announced its very first Color of the Year. By 2007, the December announcement of Pantone’s Color of the Year had become a much-anticipated event, forecasting graphic design, fashion, and product trends.


Book covers of recommended hydroponic gardening books

Hydroponic Gardening

Jack Stephens, Librarian, Science, Technology & Patents Department, Friday, May 8, 2020

The name hydroponics for the practice of growing plants using only water, nutrients and a growing medium—i.e., without soil—was coined in 1937 by UC Berkeley scientists Dr. William Setchell and Dr. William Gericke. The name derives from hydro, the Greek word for water, and ponos, the Greek word for labor.


Octavia Lab's 3D printers making face shields

Face Shield 3D Printing 101

Amanda Mellor, Administrative Clerk, Octavia Lab, Thursday, May 7, 2020

Over this past month, the Octavia Lab has transformed itself from a hobbyist makerspace to a light manufacturing powerhouse to help produce PPE (personal protective equipment) face shields for the local medical community.


Author Margarita Montimore with her debut novel, Oona Out of Order

Interview With an Author: Margarita Montimore

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, May 7, 2020

After receiving a BFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, Margarita Montimore worked for over a decade in publishing and social media before deciding to focus on the writing dream full-time.


coloring sheet already colored

Color the Library / Colorea tu biblioteca

Brenda Breaux, Principal Public Relations Representative, Public Relations, Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Enjoy these free printable coloring pages representing the architectural details of the beautiful downtown L.A. Central Library, library card art designs and space exploration. Print them out and play with different color combinations.


3D prints made by 3D printer

Your First 3D Print

Andrea Borchert, Librarian, Koreatown Media Lab, Wednesday, May 6, 2020

There’s a lot of news right now about 3D printing medical equipment. But what does it all mean, and what is 3D printing?


Susan Ahn Cuddy in her U.S. Navy uniform

Susan Ahn Cuddy: Asian American Trailblazer

Sung Kim, Librarian, Digitization & Special Collections, Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The first Asian American woman lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, the first Asian American woman flight instructor to train the US Naval pilots, and the first woman Gunnery Officer in all US Armed Forces was Susan Ahn Cuddy.


Collage of nature documentaries offered through Kanopy

Five Nature Documentaries to Watch on Kanopy

Hilda Guerrero, Librarian, Science, Technology, & Patents Department , Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Many of us have had a plethora of time on our hands lately and it’s no secret that with excess time comes a true 21st century pastime—binge watching.

Let us channel Charles Baudelaire as we wax poetic:


Pages

Top