Trivia of the Month -Answer

This month’s question was who developed laws of simple machines and buoyancy? The answer is Archimedes, well known (at least in my mind) for his quote about moving the world if given a lever.

Question and answer were taken from p. 257 of Discover Science Almanac published in 2003 by Hyperion.

Events for the Week of September 29….

Events going on at the library this week include:

Monday – 9/30
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
I Survived! Games and Crafts at 4:00

Tuesday – 10/1
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Read Along at 3:00
Círculo de Lectores at 6:00

Wednesday – 10/2
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 10/3
STAR Reader at 3:00
Create-a-Zine Workshop at 4:00

Friday – 10/4
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

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

Indie Author Day 2019

More details about our upcoming Indie Author Day.

Join fellow local indie authors on October 12 for a day of informational panels and networking opportunities.

Schedule:

10:30 a.m. – Editor DeAnna Burghart will discuss how to find the right editor for your project, and what to expect once you do.

11:15 a.m.  –  Freelance writer and journalist Kristin Wong will speak about the path to becoming a freelance writer for various publications and the lessons she has learned.

1 p.m.  –  Darcy Fray, the 2018 winner of the California Author Project’s top prize in Young Adult Fiction for her book, The Unofficially Official Files of Dr. Gordon B. Gray, will reflect on her past mistakes and how to overcome them.

1:45 p.m.  –  Cody Sisco, author and managing editor of Bookswell, and Sandra Ann Miller, author and founder of the Los Angeles Local Authors (L.A.L.A) Society, will address the top challenges for indie writers in Los Angeles.

2:30 p.m.  –  Guests will be able to take part in a Q&A session and ask advice from the panelists to learn the ins and outs of indie publishing. Authors are also invited to bring their book proposal elevator pitches to share and discuss with the group.

Library Events in October…

(Mark your calendars accordingly)

The library has some interesting events planned in October.  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:

- - - - - - - - - -
10/1 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

10/3 @ 4:00
Create-a-Zine
Free workshop for all ages. Craft your own custom zine.

10/5 @ 1:30
Family Storytime
Stories for the whole family.

10/7 from 2:30-4:30
LA Saves Table
Learn about meeting your financial goals.

10/7 @ 4:00
Building Blocks Club
Can you make something super cool?

10/8 @ 3:00
Teen Program
Join us for some teen-riffic fun.

10/12 from 10:00 to 4:00
Indie Author Day
Join fellow local indie authors for a day of informational panels and networking opportunities.

10/13 @ 2:00
Celtic Origins of Sherlock Holmes
Join us for a lecture on the Great Detective. Share your own thoughts.

10/15 @ 6:00
Círculo de Lectores
Hay café, pastel casero, ye conversación amena sobre el libro que estamos leyendo

10/16 @ 6:30
Let’s Talk Money
Personal Finance for Writers, Freelancers, and the Self-Employed

10/21 @ 4:00
Family Storytime & Craft
Stories and craft fun for all.

10/22 @ 3:00
Teen Program
Join us for some teen-riffic fun.

10/26 @ 3:00
Arroyo Book Club
Join us for a discussion of Orlean’s the Library Book.

10/28 @ 4:00
Halloween Storytime & Craft
Join us for spooky stories and crafts.

- - - - - - - - - -

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 program on 10/8)

Toddler Storytime - - - Wednesdays at 10:30 
Little Ones’ 3 and under & their grownups are invited to join us for stories, music, & games. (No program on 10/1)

LAPD Read Along - - - Tuesdays at 3:00
Officers from the LAPD read favorite stories with kids.

STAR Volunteer Readers - - - Wednesdays at 3:00 and Thursdays at 3:00.
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.

Let’s Talk About Money

Personal Finance for Writers, Freelancers, and the Self-Employed

Whether it's negotiating a book advance, budgeting with a variable income, or paying estimated taxes, there are a handful of money situations unique to freelancers and creatives. Please join us for a personal finance panel addressing these unique challenges, followed by a 15-minute audience Q&A on

Wednesday, October 16 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm

Panelists will include:

Paco de Leon, founder of The Hell Yeah Group, a financial firm focused on inspiring creatives to be engaged with their personal and business finances. She’s been featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine, and Business Insider. She owns a boutique bookkeeping agency called Hell Yeah, Bookkeeping, is the co-host of the Money Diaries Podcast, and is a co-founder of the arts-based nonprofit organization, Allies in Arts.

Quinisha Jackson-Wright, a freelance journalist who covers finance and the dynamics of workplace culture. She has been published in The New York Times, The Muse and The Financial Diet. You can follow her work on Twitter and on her website.

Jackie Lam, an L.A.-based money writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Business Insider, and GOOD Magazine. She is currently studying to be a financial coach (AFC®) to help artists and freelancers with their money. In her free time, she blogs at heyfreelancer.com.

Kristin Wong will be moderating. She is an Author’s Guild co-ambassador and author of the book Get Money: Live the Life You Want, Not Just the Life You Can Afford.

Interested?  RSVP to losangeleschapter@authorsguild.org

Events for the Week of September 22….

Events going on at the library this week include:

Monday – 9/23
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
Tin Foil Art at 4:00

Tuesday – 9/24
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Read Along at 3:00

Wednesday – 9/25
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 9/26
STAR Reader at 3:00

Friday – 9/27
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 9/28
Arroyo Book Club meets 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

Watch this space…

Indie Author Day is October 12 and this year the Los Angeles Public Library will be celebrating that day at the Arroyo Seco Branch. 

This daylong event invites local indie authors, writers, and their communities to come together for education, networking, mingling, writing, open mics, panels, and so much more! Stay tuned (so to speak) to this spot and I will reveal more details about what will happening at our branch as the day approaches. 

So… whether you’re an aspiring writer, an already published writer, or someone who plans to get their writing out there someday mark your calendar and plan to join us. 

The Celtic Origins of Sherlock Holmes

Fascinated by Sherlock Holmes? Interested in hearing one man’s take on the great detective? Enjoy contributing in a free-wheeling discussion (not a requirement, you can just listen)?  Join us for a lecture and discussion of “The Celtic Origins of Sherlock Holmes” presented by Tom Louie.  Tom will be sharing his thoughts on:

• The Celtic origins of the characters and author
• The history of the detective in real-life and in fiction
• Celtic references in the stories
• Their legacy to modern science and police work

This lecture will take place on Sunday, October 13 at 2:00.

Tom Louie is a local Highland Park resident who serves as Vice-President of the An Claidhamh Soluis (The Celtic Arts Center). Everyone is welcome to join us.

Money Matters at LAPL!

October is financial planning month.  Whatever your goal may be let the library help you figure out how to accomplish it.  One way to get started is to drop by the library during the month to talk with the folks from America Save$ (https://americasaves.org/local-campaigns/los-angeles-saves) for ideas that will help you take the steps you need to take to meet your goals. 

They’ll be at Arroyo Seco on October 7 from 2:30-4:30.

On a related note and while we’re talking about financial literacy be sure to take note of the splendid Financial Literacy day that will be taking place at Central Library all day on October 5. In addition to workshops throughout the day you will have the opportunity for a free private consultation on financial issues that matter to you with highly qualified Certified Financial Planner professionals. There will also be an opportunity for one-on-one consultations with financial coaches.  Find the event listing with more details here: https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/los-angeles-financial-planning-day

The best part of all this financial information is that it’s FREE.

Trivia of the Month

This month’s question asks who developed laws of simple machines and buoyancy (hint: think ancient Greek)?

Events for the Week of September 15….

Events going on at the library this week include:

Sunday – 915
Afternoon Movie at 3:00

Monday – 9/16
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
Make Play-Doh at 4:00

Tuesday – 9/17
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Read Along at 3:00
Círculo de Lectores at 6:00

Wednesday – 9/18
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 9/19
STAR Reader at 3:00

Friday – 9/20
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

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/10/520209.pdf) from the H.P. News Herald on 12/4/1958 describes the plans for what would become the second building on our site.  The article includes a description of the construction time line, the benefits of the new branch, and an artist’s illustration of what the branch would look like.  Take a look at it.

Let’s Talk About…

Just a quick reminder about a program that will be coming up this Saturday at 3:00...

Have you ever wondered when and how you should talk to your children about the changes of puberty and questions of sex and sexuality? If you have, join us for a free workshop that will help you navigate conversations with your children about just these issues.  We’ll go over tips and tools you can use to answer questions for each age group and developmental stage.

The workshop will take place on Saturday, September 14 at 3:00.  It is put on by the fine folks from Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley and everyone is welcome to join us.

Events for the Week of September 8….

Events going on at the library this week include:

Monday – 9/9
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
LA DOT Tap Information Table from 2:30-4:30
Building Block Challenge at 4:00

Tuesday – 9/10
LAPD Read Along at 3:00
Teen Program at 3:00

Wednesday – 9/11
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 9/12
STAR Reader at 3:00

Friday – 9/13
Drop in Computer Lab at 3:30

Saturday – 9/14
How to Talk to Your Kids Workshop 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

September eResource of the Month

The September eResource of the Month is VOX books.  While VOX books are an actual physical object they do have an “e” component and they are an exciting new thing you can check out from the library.  So what are they?  VOX books are audio enabled books.  More specifically, VOX Books are the world’s first audiobooks that live in print books. The permanently attached VOX Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one. Children simply push a button to listen and read, from beginning to end. VOX Books combine outstanding children’s books with audio recordings that capture children’s attention and make learning and literacy fun.

All LAPL branches now have a collection of VOX books available for checkout.  Take a look at them the next time you visit your local branch.

Broad Band

Broad Band by Claire L. Evans is subtitled The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet and attempts to tell just that tale.  The book sounded interesting and since my own mother had spent her life working as a programmer I was interested.  Unfortunately the book did not deliver what I would have liked.  It started off well telling the tale of the theoretical origins of computers in the work of Babbage and Lovelace and continued well with the story of the development of computers through the early WWII and post WWII years.  Then the author lost me and I’ve been trying to put my finger on why.  I think it might be because she chose to focus in detail on a few specific women in a way that left me with the belief that the untold history of the women who made the Internet is that they were sidetracked from the main lines of thought and preoccupied with just exactly those aspects of the phenomena that are ghettoized as feminine. 

I was ultimately disappointed because I know women have played a big role in computers, computer programming, and the development and growth of the Internet but I would be unable to use this book to justify my belief to a skeptic.  In the final analysis I would say pick up this book for the parts through the 1950’s and stop reading after that.