Trivia of the Month (Answer)...

This month’s question was what is a chordophone?  To quote directly from out source:

A chordophone is a term for musical instruments which produce sound by means of string stretched from one point to another.  Simple chordophones are various types of zither; composites are lutes, lyres, rebecs, violins, guitars, harps, etc.  One of 4 classifications of instruments devised by C. Sachs and E. M. von Hornbostel and published in Zeitschrift für Ethnologic, 1914.  Other categories are membranophones, idiophones, and aerophones, with electrophones added later.

The question & its answer came from p. 172 of The Oxford Dictionary of Music by Michael Kennedy.  The book was published by Oxford University Press in 1994.

Zine Workshop

Our all ages Zine Workshop will become a monthly occurrence starting in September.  Join us on the 1st Thursday of each month at 4:00 to learn about, master, and share all things zine related.

Zines, according to wikipedia are “self-published works of original or appropriated texts and images.”  They offer you a wide palate upon which to exercise your creativity and provide an interesting medium for sharing you message with others and opening up new lines of communication.

Let’s give a shout out to all the lovely organizations that help sponsor our workshop (and many other workshops as well).  I include the flyer so you can see who they are.

Digression aside, mark the first Thursday on your calendar and plan to make joining us a regular thing.

Wanted… Wrestling Memorabilia

The branch is planning to do a wrestling themed display and we want to fill it with all sorts of items coming from all kinds of wrestling.  

So…. Do you have any wrestling memorabilia you would be willing to loan us?  We are looking for posters, figurines, masks, programs, photos or drawings, anything wrestling related really.  We are looking for items from any type of wrestling.  It could be La Lucha, it could be WWE, it could the Japanese Puroresu, it could be the standard school or Olympic wrestling.  

If you have something that you would be willing to lend us get in touch.  You could call us at 323-255-0537, you could email us at ayosco@lapl.org, or you could swing by the branch and speak to a librarian in person.  

Thank you for your generous help and fear not, all items WILL be returned.

Arroyo Book Club September Pick…

The Arroyo Book Club will be reading The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende for our September meeting.  This classic novel, which has been on the we want to read it list for ten years now, is described in the catalog with

In one of the most important and beloved Latin American works of the twentieth century, Isabel Allende weaves a luminous tapestry of three generations of the Trueba family, revealing both triumphs and tragedies. Here is patriarch Esteban, whose wild desires and political machinations are tempered only by his love for his ethereal wife, Clara, a woman touched by an otherworldly hand. Their daughter, Blanca, whose forbidden love for a man Esteban has deemed unworthy infuriates her father, yet will produce his greatest joy: his granddaughter Alba, a beautiful, ambitious girl who will lead the family and their country into a revolutionary future. 

"The House of the Spirits" is an enthralling saga that spans decades and lives, twining the personal and the political into an epic novel of love, magic, and fate.

Sounds interesting & hopefully worth the wait.  Stop by the library for a copy and plan to join us on September 22 at 3:00 to discuss it.

Events for the Week of August 26….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

• Sunday Afternoon Movie on Sunday (8/26) at 3:00
• Grupo de apoyo para la familia on Monday (8/27) at 10:00
• Minecraft Workshop (pre-register) on Monday at 4:00
• Baby Storytime on Tuesday (8/28) at 10:30
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (8/29) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (8/30) at 3:00
• Walk-in Tutoring for Adults on Thursday from 5:30-7:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (8/31) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (9/1) 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 September…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

As always there are plenty of interesting activities going on at the library.  Let me give you a run down so you can plan ahead.  Let’s start with the non-repeating events:

- - - - - - - - - - 
9/1 @ 3:00
Sunday afternoon at the Movies
Join us for a showing of the film Volunteers.

9/4 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

9/6 @ 4:00
Create a Zine
People of all ages are invited to make their own zine with us.

9/8 @ 3:00
LA Made: Stein Music
Join us as Paul Stein performs the music of Bach and Vivaldi on the violin. 

9/10 from 2:00-4:00
LA DOT TAP Information Table
Questions about the transit system and TAP cards? Want to fill up your card? Swing by and talk to the folks from LA’s Department of Public Transportation.

9/10 @ 4:00
Building Blocks Club
What can you build?

9/13 from 5:30 to 7:30
Walk in Tutoring
Free tutoring for adults (19+). Stop by on a first come first served basis for tutoring in English reading, writing, and conversation skills as well as help with your computer or cell-phone.

9/15 @ 9:30
Walk Highland Park
Join us for a bit of exercise, some congenial company, and a chance to explore the sights of Highland Park.

9/17 @ 4:00
Mexican Independence Day Art
Join us for a kid friendly art project.

9/18 @ 4:00
Teen Program
Join us for some teen tastic fun.

9/18 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

9/22 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a lively discussion of House of Spirits by Allende.  

9/24 @ 4:00
Make it Monday
Join us for a challenge of some mysterious sort.

9/27 from 5:30 to 7:30
Walk in Tutoring
Free tutoring for adults (19+). Stop by on a first come first served basis for tutoring in English reading, writing, and conversation skills as well as help with your computer or cell-phone.

9/29 @ 3:00
Resume Review
Bring your resume by for some constructive criticism.  First come first served.

- - - - - - - - - -

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

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

Baby Storytime - - - Tuesdays at 10:30
Stories, songs, and rhymes await babies up to 18 months. (no session on 9/4)

Toddler Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games.

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. 

- - - - - - - - - -

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.

The Reminders

In The Reminders we meet Gavin, a man who is trying to forget the death of his partner, and Joan, a girl who quite literally can’t forget anything that happens to her.  In an effort to escape his memories Gavin visits his old friends, Joan’s parents.  There he realizes Joan can share memories of Syndey with him and Joan enlists his aid in her quest to achieve immortality by writing a song.  Joan needs something that will make everyone remember her because her life is changing in ways she doesn’t want it to.  Joan and Gavin wind up helping each other.

This book is so-so.  It is easy to read and the plot and characters are reasonably engaging but it never quite catches fire.

Events for the Week of August 19….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

• Grupo de apoyo para la familia on Monday (8/20) at 10:00
• Make some melted crayon art on Monday at 4:00
• Baby Storytime on Tuesday (8/21) at 10:30
• Círculo de Lectores on Tuesday at 6:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (8/22) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (8/23) at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (8/24) at 3:30
• STAR Reader on Saturday (8/25) at 2:00
• Arroyo Book Club meets 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

LA Made

The library’s LA Made is a cultural programming series featuring free music, dance, theater, and conversations with local entertainers at libraries throughout the city.  In September they will be bringing Paul Stein to perform at our branch.  Mr. Stein, a violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for 36 years, will perform selections from Johann Bach’s great unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas, as well as Antonio Vivaldi’s “Seasons.” Stein will also discuss the childhoods of the two legendary composers and explain how their experiences helped to shape the music they would create.

It will be an excellent afternoon with good music.  Join us on September 8 at 3:00 and bring your family and friends.

Trivia of the Month...

This month we ask what is a chordophone?

Walk-in Tutoring for Adults

We have a Walk-in Tutor at our branch.  This tutor provides free 15-20 minute tutoring sessions for adults 19 and older. She can help with reading, writing, and conversation skills; as well as practical problems such as understanding paperwork or using the Internet. No appointment is required

All Walk-in Tutoring sessions are on a first-come, first-served basis and the schedule is subject to change.

Our tutor is available on alternate Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30.  The next session is Thursday, August 16.  You can always call the library to determine just which Thursday is a tutoring Thursday.

Walk Highland Park….

I enjoyed our summer reading Walk Highland Park programs so much that I’ve decided to continue them moving forward.  We will meet on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 at the library and explore Highland Park and its environs on foot. Those with dogs or kids in strollers are welcome to bring them along.

So… mark your calendar moving forward and join us on August 18 for our first Saturday walk.

Events for the Week of August 12….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

• Grupo de apoyo para la familia on Monday (8/13) at 10:00
• LA DOT Tap Information Table on Monday from 2:30-4:30
• Create a Family Journal on Monday at 4:00
• STAR Reader on Wednesday (8/15) at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (8/16) at 3:00
• Walk-in Tutoring for Adults on Thursday from 5:30-7:30
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (8/17) at 3:30
• Community Birthday Party on Friday at 3:30
• Walk Highland Park on Saturday (8/18) 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

History of Highland Park…

This article (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520275.pdf) by Wilfrid Dellquest published on 8/11/1957 tells the history of the Arroyo Seco Library to that point in time.  In it you learn a lot of fascinating things… including the fact that the first branch on our site (6145 N. Figueroa) cost $44,750 in total to construct and equip, was designed by Frederick Ashley, and opened on 2/27/1914.  A couple of pictures are included as well as a plethora of additional facts.  Check it out.

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.  by Neal Stephenson and Nicole Galland chronicles a convoluted tale of magic and time travel.  Magic apparently existed in the past, worked by actual witches.  Magic was killed, so to speak, by the photograph of the 1851 solar eclipse an act that, according to the story, fixed reality in place and put a stamp on the quantumesque access to other worlds that witches used to work their magic.  Tristan Lyons and Melisande Stokes find an innovative scientist who is able to create a machine that allows a witch access to magic and with the assistance of one very old witch they begin making use of magic to send people back in time to where magic works to effect outcomes in the future that are desired by the US government (whose auspices they’ve been working under).  Needless to say things soon spin out of control as people’s sheer hardheadedness combine with the blind workings of bureaucracy to create a delicious chaos.

The book was quite long and used a mixture of “documents” to tell its tale.  It was however an exciting plot with interesting (if occasionally worthy of a slap) characters.  I would recommend it.

Events for the Week of August 5….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

• Grupo de apoyo para la familia on Monday (8/6) at 10:00
• Building block challenge on Monday at 4:00
• Baby Storytime on Tuesday (8/7) at 10:30
• Teen Centric Program on Tuesday at 4:00
• Círculo de Lectores on Tuesday at 6:00
• Toddler Storytime on Wednesday (8/8) at 10:30
• STAR Reader on Wednesday at 3:00
• STAR Reader on Thursday (8/9) at 3:00
• Drop in Computer Lab on Friday (8/10) at 3:30
• Tai Chi on Saturday (8/11) at 10:00
• 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

August’s eResource of the Month…

Freegal is the August Electronic Resource of the month.  

What is freegal? Freegal is a download music service with access to millions of songs in hundreds of music genres.  The library’s subscription allows you (the patron with a library card) to download 5 songs a week that are free & free of drm.  Additionally you can stream music 24/7 via this service.

How do you access freegal?  You will find freegal listed on the library’s website (http://www.lapl.org/) on the eMedia page (http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/e-media).  You will need your library card to access the service.

Once you’re logged in you will find the site fairly intuitive to use with an available FAQ offering specific help.  Give it a try if you aren’t already a user.