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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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3 graphic novel book covers

Drawing on the Classics

Vince Zalkind, Messenger Clerk, North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Branch Library, Tuesday, August 20, 2019

It’s back-to-school time! Time to sharpen up your pencils, meet your new teachers, and grab your list of classics to read for homework. Time to put away those comic books and graphic novels in favor of “serious” literature, right? Wrong!


Lobby card from the original 1939 release of The Wizard of Oz featuring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley and Bert Lahr

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion, Oh My!

Daniel Tures, Adult Librarian, Edendale Branch Library, Thursday, August 15, 2019

Once upon a time in Hollywoodland, 80 years ago today, The Wizard of Oz had its Hollywood Premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.


Del Howison and his first novel, The Survival of Margaret Thomas

Interview With an Author: Del Howison

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, August 8, 2019

Del Howison is an award-winning editor, journalist, fiction author, and actor. He has been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award four times (and won it once), for the Black Quill Award twice, for the Shirley Jackson Award and for the Rondo Hatton Award.


Charles Manson being lead away by deputies

Helter Skelter in the Summer of 1969

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team, Tuesday, August 6, 2019

1969 was a tumultuous year. The US Apollo 11 mission brought men to the moon, and the Beatles gave their final live performance. Richard Nixon was sworn in as President, the war raged on in Vietnam (along with huge protests), and the draft was reinstated.


colorful collection of zines

The Search for Zines Begins Here

Angi Brzycki, Senior Librarian, Digitization & Special Collections, Friday, August 2, 2019

Did you know that we have over 1200 zines in our catalog? That number will continue to grow as we regularly add zines to our collection. Seven of our libraries host zine collections that you can browse, borrow, and read:


Baby splashing in a pool

Bringing the Heat!

Photo Friends, Tuesday, July 30, 2019

The Los Angeles basin cannot escape the fact that its climate tends to extremes, particularly of the hot variety. Global warming and galloping urbanization have exacerbated the situation Temperatures have increased over the past century, while heatwaves are becoming ever more common and last longer.


Cover of 1946 Thomas Street Guide

Video: Navigating L.A. in the Pre-GPS Era

Neale Stokes, Senior Librarian, Digital Content Team, Monday, July 29, 2019

Before the advent of GPS and smartphones, residents of Los Angeles were wholly dependent on the street guide to navigate their sprawling metropolis. In this video, map librarian Glen Creason explores the history of the L.A. street guide, and explains why they are still relevant today:


Author Casey McQuiston and her first novel, Red, White & Royal Blue

Interview With an Author: Casey McQuiston

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, July 25, 2019

Casey McQuiston grew up in the swamps of Southern Louisiana, where they cultivated an abiding love for honey butter biscuits and stories with big, beating hearts.


Color postcard of California Alligator Farm, in Los Angeles [ca.1911]

Bring the Kids! Fun at the California Alligator Farm

Tina Princenthal, Principal Librarian, Central Library Services, Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Before Mickey and his Magic Kingdom, there was Billie the Alligator and his reptilian pals at the California Alligator Farm.


Author Sarah Gailey and her novel, Magic For Liars

Interview With an Author: Sarah Gailey

Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library, Thursday, July 11, 2019

Hugo award winner Sarah Gailey lives and works in Los Angeles, California. Their nonfiction has been published by Mashable and the Boston Globe, and their fiction has been published internationally.


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