Trivia of the Month (Answer)....

This month’s question was how many farmers immigrated to the U.S. in 1898? According to p. 111 of the Bicentennial Edition of the Historical Statistics of the United States 16,243 out of 1898’s 229,299 immigrants were farmers.  

Events for the Week of July 30….

Note that our Summer Reading Challenge concludes this week… it’s not too late to get yourself and your entire family enrolled (if you haven’t already), though.  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• The kids’ reading program will feature Optical Illusion Crafts on Monday (7/31) at 4:00
• Teen Summer fun continues with a henna tattoo program on Tuesday (8/1) at 4:00
• Lectores meets on Tuesday at 4:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (8/2) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Astronomy 101 class also on Wednesday at 6:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (8/3) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Know Your Rights program on Thursday at 5:00
• LA OIC Computer Boot Camp program on Friday (8/4) at 1:00 – session in Spanish
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (8/5) at 9:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Library Events in August…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in August.  As always, I thought I’d take a minute and give you a run down so you can plan ahead.  Let’s start with the non-repeating events:

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8/1 @ 4:00
Teen Summer Fun
Join us for an exciting program on henna tattoos.

8/1 @ 6:00
Club de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

8/2 @ 6:00
Astronomy 101
Join us as we explore the world of online education by collaboratively taking Astronomy 101. 

8/3 @5:00
Know Your Rights
An opportunity for community members to meet with representatives from the National Immigration Law Center to discuss your constitutional rights, regardless of immigration status.

8/4 From 1:00-4:00
LA OIC Computer Bootcamp
This program puts low cost computers in the hands of low income people.  This session is in Spanish. Call or drop by to sign up.

8/5 @ 9:30
Tai Chi
De-Stress from your week with a tai chi session taught by our longtime volunteer.

8/7 @ 4:00
Make it Monday
This week’s program features balloon rockets.

8/14 from 2:30-4:30
LA DOT Tap Card Information Session
Stop by with questions for the LA Department of Transportation.  Get your TAP card reloaded while you’re here.

8/14 @ 4:00
Make it Monday: Eclipse Preparation
Come learn a bit about the upcoming solar eclipse and make your own pinhole projector for safe viewing.

8/15 @ 6:00
Club de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

8/20 @ 3:00
Pinhole Projector Construction
Join us today to learn a little bit about tomorrow’s solar eclipse and to make your own pinhole projector for safe viewing.

8/21 from 9:30-11:30
Eclipse Viewing Party
Join us and safely view all or part of today’s solar eclipse.  Maximum eclipse occurs at 10:21am.

8/21 @ 4:00
Make it Monday
Celebrate today’s eclipse with an “Eclipse Craft & Galaxy Mural” project.

8/26 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a spirited discussion of the book In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

8/28 @ 4:00
Make it Monday: Building Blocks edition
Join us and see what you can do with today’s building block challenge.

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Each month the library also has a number of ongoing classes & events.  They are:

Grupo de apoyo para la familia - - - Mondays at 10:00

Toddler Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games. (No session on 8/9)

Baby Storytime - - - Thursdays at 10:30 
Bounces, rhymes and songs for prewalkers (age 0-12 months) and their caregivers. (No session on 8/10)

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Available on Wednesdays at 3:00, on Thursdays at 3:00, and on Saturdays at 2:00
STAR readers present the fun of storytelling and reading to children one-on-one or in small groups. Kids earn a free book to keep after 3 visits. 

Drop in Computer Lab - - - Fridays at 3:30
Bring your questions about computers, tablets, eReaders, or other electronic devices.  We will do our best to help you figure out answers. 

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Please do not hesitate to call the library at 323-255-0537 if you have any questions or would like more information.  Remember that you can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches.

Eclipse Viewing Party

We will be taking advantage of the upcoming August 21 solar eclipse to stage a safe eclipse viewing party here at the library.  This, for Los Angeles viewers, partial eclipse will start around 9:05am, will reach its maximum at 10:21am and will complete at 11:44am.  

Join us as we safely view the solar eclipse.  We will set up in front of the library and begin watching at 9:30am.  Hang out with us for the entire event or drop by for a good look at some portion of the eclipse in progress.

Pinhole Projector Construction

Come learn a bit about eclipses and then make a pinhole projector so that you can safely view the August 21 partial solar eclipse.

We will have two sessions of this program.  The first will be on Monday, August 14 at 4:00.  The second will be on Sunday, August 20 at 3:00.  Join us for either event and then come to our Eclipse Viewing Party on the day of the eclipse… Monday, August 21, starting at 9:30.

The Arroyo Book Club’s August Pick….

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading Truman Capote’s classic of true crime In Cold Blood for its August meeting.  To provide a brief synopsis let me turn to the library’s catalog description:

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time 

On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues. 

Five years, four months and twenty-nine days later, on April 14, 1965, Richard Eugene Hickock, aged thirty-three, and Perry Edward Smith, aged thirty-six, were hanged from the crime on a gallows in a warehouse in the Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas. 

In Cold Blood is the story of the lives and deaths of these six people.

It seems like a book that could lead to some spirited discussion, so, pick up a copy the next time you are at the library and plan to join us on August 26 at 3:00 to share your thoughts.

Events for the Week of July 23….

Note that our Summer Reading Challenge continues this week… so get yourself and your entire family enrolled (if you haven’t already).  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• Sunday Afternoon at the Movies showcasing a family friendly flick on Sunday (7/23) at 3:00
• The kids’ reading program will feature Optical Illusion Crafts on Monday (7/24) at 4:00
• Teen Summer fun continues with Loteria (for prizes) on Tuesday (7/25) at 4:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (7/26) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Astronomy 101 class also on Wednesday at 6:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (7/27) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (7/28) at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (7/29) at 9:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Quantum Night

The protagonist of Robert J. Sawyer’s Quantum Night  is Chris Marchuk, a psychologist.  Marchuk has developed a reliable test for psychopathy and is called to use it in a criminal trial.  Cross examination on the stand destroys his credibility and demonstrates that he cannot remember 6 months of his life.  Puzzled by this gap he sets out to find out what happened and in the process becomes involved in a physicist’s investigation into the quantum nature of consciousness.  

The story is set in 2020 in a world that is rocked by violence and what can charitably be called insane politicians.  The story while interesting and quite readable is not one where you will necessarily like the characters who all seem to be suffering from a sense of superiority and are quite willing to unilaterally make decisions that affect the entire human race.  Sawyer is one of my favorite writers but I did not like this book as much as some of his others.  I would recommend it for fans and those interested in exploring philosophical concepts of utilitarianism.

Trivia of the Month...

To get really, really trivial with this month’s question…. How many farmers immigrated to the U.S. in 1898?

Events for the Week of July 16….

Note that our Summer Reading Challenge continues this week… so get yourself and your entire family enrolled (if you haven’t already).  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• The kids’ reading program will feature a Wonders of Wildlife Show on Monday (7/17) at 4:00
• Teen Summer fun continues with a cupcake decorating program on Tuesday (7/18) at 4:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (7/19) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (7/20) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (7/21) at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (7/22) at 9:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00
• Arroyo Book Club meets to discuss Z by Fowler on Saturday at 3:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Websites I Like…

GCF Learn Free (http://www.gcflearnfree.org/) is a site that offers online tutorials for a number of subjects.  I have personally used it with patrons seeking help with Microsoft office programs & technology more generally.  They also offer reading, math, work & career, everyday life, and mobile devices.  These are simple easy to understand lesson on basic topics for those new to a topic or seeking remedial help.

Recommended for its basic approach to helping you with the office programs alone.

Night Shift

Night Shift by Charlaine Harris continues her tale of the inhabitants of Midnight, Texas (find review of the previous series titles here (9/25/15) and here (6/21/14)).  This book begins with a sudden, inexplicable epidemic of gruesome suicides, all executed at the cross roads in the center of town.  The townspeople work together to identify the cause and then find a cure for this epidemic.  As in the previous volumes, much of the charm of the book lies in the developing life stories of the various inhabitants of the town all of whom are unusual and many of whom have important secrets.  

I would recommend the book though I believe this is one series that is more enjoyable read in whole… in other words if you haven’t read the previous titles do so before picking this one up.

Events for the Week of July 9….

Note that our Summer Reading Challenge continues this week… so get yourself and your entire family enrolled (if you haven’t already).  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• LA DOT TAP Information Table on Monday (7/10) at 2:30
• The kids’ reading program will feature Art with Rubber Stamps on Monday at 4:00
• Teen Summer fun continues with a Candy Sushi program on Tuesday (7/11) at 4:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (7/12) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Astronomy 101 Class also on Wednesday at 6:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (7/13) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (7/14) at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (7/15) at 9:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches

Time and Time Again

If you are looking for an interesting book that explores a limited version of time travel and the consequences thereto, has a ton of action and interesting characters, and you don’t mind reading a book that does not go for the cheerful happy ending then Time and Time Again by Ben Elton is the book for you.  If you don’t like spoilers stop reading now and go pick it up.

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For those of you who don’t mind spoilers be warned I am going to give away some of the plot points.  The premise of this book is that Newton came up with a theory of relativity that enabled him to determine the path of time and allowed him to determine that a specific geospatial-temporal point of 2025 would coincide with a point of 1914.  This would allow someone to literally step from 2015 to 1914, thereby awarding them the opportunity to change something in the past and create a new 20th century.  Newton puts all this information in a letter that he leaves at Cambridge University with instructions that it not be opened until 2024.  The main character of our book is tasked by those who open and read the letter with going back and preventing the start of WWI.  He succeeds in his task and then encounters someone else from the future…. If the century loops one time it will loop every time and if you think anyone was happy with their version of the 20th century well you are wrong.  Together the two from the future figure out that this has been happening over and over… history is stuck in the 20th century. They decided the only solution is to go to Cambridge and destroy the documents so that finally no one will know to try again, however both characters are killed before they can do this.  So the book ends with a theoretical solution that as far as we know will never be implemented.  It was an interesting book and it did keep me reading though I was disappointed by the non-resolved ending and had far too easy a time figuring out plot points I think the author meant to be a surprise.

July’s eResource of the Month….

Explore July’s eResource of the month, the TumbleBook Library, with your kids.  TumbleBooks offers interactive books appropriate for children from kindergarten to 3rd grade.  This interactive collection includes animated talking picture books, chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction titles, and books in Spanish and French.  You will also find games useful for developing language skills and improving cognitive development.

The TumbleBook Library can be accessed from http://asp.tumblebooks.com/ using your home computer.  You will need to have your library card handy.  

A fun tool for your children, give it a try.  Oh, and if you ever need any help with library eResources just come by the library and the friendly reference librarians will be happy to help.

Events for the Week of July 2….

Note that the Library will be closed on Tuesday July 4 for Independence Day.  Note too that our Summer Reading Challenge continues this week… so get yourself and your entire family enrolled (if you haven’t already).  Do it online by visiting http://www.lapl.org/summer or stop in at the library and enroll in person.  Events going on at the library during the week include:

• The kids’ reading program will feature Popsicle Puzzles on Monday (7/3) at 4:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (7/5) at 10:30
• Intermediate English Conversation on Wednesday at 2:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• Astronomy 101 Class also on Wednesday at 6:00
• Baby Storytime on Thursday (7/6) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Thursday at 3:00
• OIC Computer Boot Camp on Friday (7/7) at 1:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (7/8) at 9:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday at 2:00

You can always check the Branch Page (http://www.lapl.org/branches/arroyo-seco) on the LAPL website for upcoming events or check out the Master Calendar (http://www.lapl.org/whats-on/calendar) where you can search for something specific across multiple branches