We are a branch of the Los Angeles Public Library located in Highland Park. Keep yourself updated on our doings here...
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When: December 14 at 3 p.m.
What: Swing by for a relaxing, art filled afternoon. We will
be creating zentangles frames for coloring, or working on an old-fashioned coloring project, or creating a full-fledged zentangle. Set
your cares aside and join us
Who: Adults primarily but we will have child friendly
activities as well.
Where: The Arroyo Seco Library at 6145 N. Figueroa Street in
Highland Park
Saturday, December 13, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the Arroyo Seco Library
Get cozy & crafty at the library at our scrapbooking program, centered on storytelling and personal archiving! Collage and craft supplies will be provided, including 8.5in x 11in or 12in x 12in cardstock paper. Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies.
Bring your stories to life with old photographs and ephemera from your personal collections! Digitize, print, and add to your scrapbook page on the spot. All prints are made on 4x6 glossy photo paper.
This workshop is geared toward adults but all are welcome. Join us & learn what resources are available at LAPL for your personal and community archiving projects.
The Los Angeles Public Library offers this workshop as part of Community: Your Archive, Your Legacy, an initiative supported by @libraryfoundla and funded by the Mellon Foundation. Learn more at lapl.org/community
This month’s question is not about a trivial matter, it is, what are the signs that you need to see your healthcare provider about your moles?
The ever-popular Telescope Night returns (weather permitting) to the Arroyo Seco Library Tomorrow, December 2. We will begin at 6:00 and wrap things up shortly before the library closes at 8:00. We should be able to see Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon. Mark your calendar and plan to drop by. Do note that the event is weather dependent, so if there are clouds on the day give us a call after 3:00 for word on the status of the program.
For those who don’t know what Telescope Night is… During Telescope Night a group of local astronomers, the Sidewalk Astronomers, sets up telescopes outside the library and points them at objects of interest in the night sky. Everyone is invited to take as many turns as they’d like looking through the telescopes. The Sidewalk Astronomers are very knowledgeable and will answer your questions & chat about how they made the telescopes. Bring your questions with you.
Today we have a fruit crate label for the Placentia Mutual Orange Ass'n.. It depicts tall mountains with a cellophane wrapped orange to the bottom left. View the full image here
The Arroyo Book Club will be reading "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde for our December discussion.
This play is "...a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictional alter-egos to escape tiresome social obligations. The play makes light of the institution of marriage and more generally other serious Victorian customs. As a result, reviewers of the time praised the play's humor, while bemoaning its evident lack of social messages. Most agreed however that it was the high point of Wilde's artistic career to date. Its high farce and Wilde's dazzlingly witty dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest his most enduringly popular play."
Stop by the branch to pick up a copy to read. You will find them in the usual location, just ask if you don’t know where that is. If you are interested in the ebook, you can find it on Hoopla.
We will come together to discuss the book on Saturday, December 27 at 3 p.m. It will be a hybrid meeting so you have the option of attending in person or via Zoom. If you’d like to join us via Zoom send an email to ayosco@lapl.org so we can get the link to you.
Our circulating oral history backpacks are available for checkout for patrons whose cards are in good standing, for up to three weeks. Each backpack includes: H1essential Zoom recorder, a microphone cover, a tripod, and a guidebook on how to use the recorder and start your own oral history project.
Before checking out an oral history kit, you will need to sign a user agreement, available at the circulation desk at participating branches. Patrons with library cards in good standing may check out a kit for three weeks at a time. No holds or renewals. Visit the circulation desk at the nearest participating branch to sign up.
This initiative is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation through a Public Knowledge Grant in partnership with the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Public Library.
This month’s question was what is radon? Radon is a chemical element that occurs as a radioactive gas. It occurs naturally in the air, where it is mostly harmless, but can accumulate in buildings and cause health problems. Long-term exposure to radon can cause lung cancer.
Find out all about radon, as well as how to test for and mitigate it in your own house by checking out the article: Blackwell, Amy Hackney. "Radon." Gale Environmental Studies Online Collection, Gale, 2024. Gale In Context: Environmental Studies
Gale In Context: Environmental Studies is one of our databases. Gale In Context: Environmental Studies is updated daily with news, reference materials, academic journals, videos, and more. This resource offers nearly 400 authoritative resources across the science, social studies, and humanities curriculum, including Water Privatization, Ecotourism, Air Pollution, Green Economy, and more. Find it on the library’s Research & Homework page under “G” and access it with your library card.
In her book The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet Becky Chambers introduces us to the crew of the Wayfarer. The Wayfarer is a ship that installs the gates that enable ftl travel for the various species of the galaxy. The crew of the Wayfarer is a mixed bag of humans, aliens, and one AI and the story comes to us from everyone’s point of view. Overall this is the tale of the Wayfarer’s voyage to a small planet towards the galaxies core with the goal of providing it with a gate. The addition is sought for political and commercial reasons and that fact sort of informs the story but it is incidental. The real focus is the journey and the beings undertaking the journey. There are episodes of excitement, passing visits to familiar places, unfortunate personal discoveries, a quest for personhood, and more. The book shines in its switching viewpoints and world building.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a love of descriptive, character-drive, SF.
The Northeast Los Angeles Holiday Parade will march down
Figueroa Street from about where the library lives (York Blvd) to Sycamore Park
on Sunday, December 7th. The library
will be participating and we invite you (& your family & friends) to
join us. Those daring souls who wish to
join us in costume should feel free to go all out. We will meet up in the Library parking lot on
12/7 at 12:15 before moving to the parade staging ground.
Please get in touch if you plan to join us so we can know to expect you. Call us at 323-255-0537, email us at ayosco@lapl.org or drop by and sign up in person. The more the merrier so pass along word of the event to everyone you know who might be interested.
Today we’re looking at the autograph of Felix Adler. Adler was a lecturer-educator and founder of the Ethical Culture movement. He lived from 1851-1933. Find the complete document here: https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/autograph/id/19/rec/6
Who: All adults
interested in a little hands-on art
Where: The Arroyo Seco Library, 6145 N. Figueroa St.
When: Saturday, November 15 at 3:00 PM
What: A sculpture class
Details: Within the Art Era program, we will dive into the
fundamentals of art and creativity. Our focus with this section will be mass,
space, shape, form, line, texture, color, and movement through sculpting. Art Era is designed to complement all age
groups and skill levels, making it a warm and welcoming environment that’ll
nurture the creativity that lives within us all.
Today we’re looking at a breakfast menu for Azulejos Cafe Restaurante. The resturaunt is in San Jose, Costa Rica. The menu is from 2010. Find the full menu here
The ever-popular Telescope Night returns (weather permitting) to the Arroyo Seco Library on Tuesday, November 4. We will begin at 6:00 and wrap things up shortly before the library closes at 8:00. We should be able to see Saturn and the Moon. Mark your calendar and plan to drop by. Do note that the event is weather dependent, so if there are clouds on the day give us a call after 3:00 for word on the status of the program.
For those who don’t know what Telescope Night is… During Telescope Night a group of local astronomers, the Sidewalk Astronomers, sets up telescopes outside the library and points them at objects of interest in the night sky. Everyone is invited to take as many turns as they’d like looking through the telescopes. The Sidewalk Astronomers are very knowledgeable and will answer your questions & chat about how they made the telescopes. Bring your questions with you.
“Set in 1960s California, this blockbuster debut is the hilarious, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is constantly derailed by the idea that a woman's place is in the home, only to find herself starring as the host of America's most beloved TV cooking show”
Stop by the branch to pick up a copy to read. You will find them in the usual location, just ask if you don’t know where that is.
We will come together to discuss the book on Saturday, November 22 at 3 p.m. It will be a hybrid meeting so you have the option of attending in person or via Zoom. If you’d like to join us via Zoom let us know at ayosco@lapl.org so we can get the link to you
Today’s book plate is for books from the Library of Adelbert College of Western Reserve University. It is black and beige plate with the name of the library and its patron edged with an ornate grape vine trim. The text says “This human mind wrote history and this must read it. – Emerson.” Find the image here
Who: Gamers and Would Be Gamers
What: We have acquired a slew of games. Join us and we’ll
select one, figure out the rules, and dive in
When: Sunday, October 26 at 3 PM
Where: Arroyo Seco Library, 6145 N. Figueroa Street.
Why: For fun, to meet people, to challenge yourself…
Questions: Give us a call at 323-255-0537
This month we asked what are the fasting growing jobs? Per our source the top 4 are:
Find plenty of information about these jobs, and all the rest, in Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center. Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center is an electronic resource for lifelong career exploration and planning. It offers resources for career goals, education planning, workplace skills, finding apprenticeships and internships, conducting job searches, and much more. Find it on the library’s Research & Homework page under “F” and access it with your library card.
Because October is Financial Planning Month the library has a number of in-person and virtual workshop opportunities to help get your own financial planning on track. Let’s start with the biggest…
Financial Planning Day on Saturday, October 18 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Central Library.
Don’t miss this opportunity for a free private consultation with a Certified Financial Planner™ on various personal financial issues, including debt management, retirement planning, investment strategies, income taxes, insurance, and estate planning, among many others. In addition to one-on-one consultations, there will be free credit checks and workshops on various financial topics throughout the day.
LA Saves will be tabling at branches throughout the city across the month. They will be here at Arroyo Seco on October 27 from 3 to 5 p.m. Stop by and pledge to begin (or increase) your saving efforts.
Throughout the month there will be virtual workshops streamed to the Library’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/losangeleslibrary). These will be educational workshops presented by financial professionals on investor fraud and scams, and budgeting. Check out the online calendar to find out when they are set or swing (virtually) by the YouTube channel to review the recordings.
Today’s movie poster is for the 1933 movie Face in the Sky. The poster is a scene depicting Joe Buck (Spencer Tracy), Madge (Marian Nixon) and Lucky (Stuart Erwin). View the full image here
Would you like to learn how to create a resume? Polish your
existing resume? Receive feedback about your resume's grammar, format, &
content?
Then come to our workshop. It will be on Sunday, October 12 at 2:00 PM at the Arroyo Seco Library
When was the last time you *really* looked at your photo album? Over time, albums can degrade and residue from plastic and glue can damage photos. What can we do to make sure our photos and albums last for future generations?
Join our workshop Tuesday 10/7 at 6 p.m. to learn some basic tips on preserving photographs. We will explore different storage options, labeling, and care in a hands-on, communal setting.
Bring some photographs or an album and get ready to think like an archivist!
First published in 1970, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee generated shockwaves with its frank and heartbreaking depiction of the systematic annihilation of American Indian tribes across the western frontier. In this nonfiction account, Dee Brown focuses on the betrayals, battles, and massacres suffered by American Indians between 1860 and 1890. He tells of the many tribes and their renowned chiefs—from Geronimo to Red Cloud, Sitting Bull to Crazy Horse—who struggled to combat the destruction of their people and culture.
This time around we will be using our own questions as prompts. So… as you read note down questions for discussion and bring them with you to share when we meet.
Stop by the branch to pick up a copy to read. You will find them in the usual location, just ask if you don’t know where that is.
It is available as an ebook from Hoopla, find it here
We will come together to discuss the book on Saturday, October 25 at 3 p.m. It will be a hybrid meeting so you have the option of attending in person or via Zoom. If you’d like to join us via Zoom let us know at ayosco@lapl.org so we can get the link to you
Today’s travel poster incites you to “See Bali.” Drawing shows Balinese Dancers in costume against a tropical backdrop. View the full image here: https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/travel/id/169/rec/6
Katherine Addison’s Witness for the Dead takes one of the characters from her previous world of The Goblin Emperor and spins off to tell the tale of his life. Thara Celehar, who figured out who had killed the previous emperor and his older sons, is now working as the eponymous witness for the dead in the city of Amalo. A case involving a dead opera singer, another centering on a contested will, the discovery of a man with a history of dead wives, not to mention the appearance of a ghoul and the consequences of political maneuvering all beset our Witness. What he does about all of these things is what makes the book so satisfying.
Another wonderful story that showcases Addison’s excellently built world. Heartily recommended.
This month’s question was what are some of the common plants that can be used in the distillation of spirits? To quote from our question’s source:
“Distilled spirits (or, simply, spirits or liquors) are the alcohol-containing fluids (ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol) obtained via distillation of fermented juices from plants. These juices include wines, distillates of which are termed brandies. The most commonly used plants are sugarcane, potatoes, sugar beets, corn, rye, rice, and barley; various fruits such as grapes, peaches, and apples are also used.”
The question (and answer) were found in the Encyclopedia of Drugs - Alcohol and Addictive Behavior. This is a Gale Virtual Reference e-Book. It is intended for the student and layperson, covers the social, medical and political issues related to drugs and alcohol, 4 volumes. Find it on the library’s Research & Homework page under “E” and access it with your library card.
Melissa Scott continues her Astreiant series with Point ofSighs. The Astreiant series is a detective series
set in a fantasy world that is pre-industrial.
The social structure is matriarchal (as an aside, it’s fun to read a
book where the default pronoun used by all the characters is she/her and “all
women” is a stand in for “all people”) with a rigorous class structure. Our
main characters are Philip Eslingen, who’s currently a member of the newly
established city guard, and his leman (or lover) Nicolaus Rathe, an Adjunct
Point, essentially a policeman. The
story starts with a man accused of murdering a ship’s captain. Rathe sets out
to find who really did the killing and stumbles across a larger crime that
eventually involves the return of a goddess from myth and a sacrificial cult.
The book can be read as a standalone, though the characters will be far richer if you go for the entire series. The series has long been a favorite of mine. I recommend it to those who like a good detective story, enjoy fantasy world building, and have a taste for different worlds.
September 20, 2025
3:00 PM at the Arroyo Seco Library
Today’s fashion plate shows a walking dress. A purple velvet shawl edged in lace worn over an empire waist white dress. Accessories include a purple parasol and a straw hat with white plume. The plate was published in Ackerman’s Repository on October 1, 1809. Find the full image here: https://tessa2.lapl.org/digital/collection/fashion/id/198/rec/5
Feeling crafty? Swing by on September 13 at 3 pm and design your own amulet or magnet out of shrinky-dink plastic and then watch the power of heat transform them. We have plenty of material for this program so bring all your friends.
Everyone is welcome!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of the Arroyo Book Club’s September book – Mexican Gothic, will be making a presentation at the upcoming Los Angeles Libros Festival.
The 7th annual Los Angeles Libros Festival will offer a full day of entertainment featuring Spanish-language and bilingual storytelling, musical performances, authors, workshops, books, and community. This event, hosted by the Los Angeles Public Library, is free for all and takes place at Central Library. Details and complete program can be found on the website
Silvia Moreno-Garcia will be in conversation, sharing her experience as a writer across genres in the Mark Tape Auditorium at Central Library on September 13 at 12 p.m. This will be a bilingual presentation.
Unable to make it in person? You’re in luck. The presentation will be streamed on LAPL’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/losangeleslibrary) and the recorded presentation will be available there for about 2 weeks.
This month’s question is what are some of the common plants that can be used in the distillation of spirits?
Need help improving your reading and writing skills? Come by the Arroyo Seco Library any Wednesday between 4 and 6 p.m. and find that help.
Adults can work with a walk-in tutor for 15 to 20 minutes. Walk-in tutoring is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Our FREE services include:
No appointments or Reservations Required!
Please call one hour before coming to the library to confirm the tutor will be here. Our number is 323-255-0537.
Today we’re looking at Barclay's map of Southern California. This map is from 1913. The map includes ''Table of distances showing mileage over highways between the county seats: and ''Diagram of Townships''. Includes index to cities, villages, post offices, and stations. Includes ''The chief horticultural, agricultural and mineral products of southern California classified in counties''. Blue line print. Hand colored outlines. Find the complete map here
The Arroyo Book Club’s September pick is Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This is a 1950s set take on gothic suspense and horror that simultaneously takes on many of the social issues of our time. To quote from the Book List review:
Moreno-Garcia takes on gothic suspense with a shiver-inducing tale combining touches of Northanger Abbey with bits of the Gormenghast trilogy thrown in for good measure. Noemí Taboada, privileged daughter of a wealthy Mexican industrialist, is a high-spirited flirt who is not prone to flights of fancy and not in the habit of believing in the supernatural. When Noemí’s father sends her to check on her cousin who may be suffering delusions—or could be in danger from her new spouse—she finds a small, tight-knit family with strict rules and a troubled past, living in a mold-infested manor house…
Stop by the branch to pick up a copy to read. You will find them in the usual location, just ask if you don’t know where that is.
We will come together to discuss the book on Saturday, September 27 at 3 p.m. It will be a hybrid meeting so you have the option of attending in person or via Zoom. If you’d like to join us via Zoom let us know at ayosco@lapl.org so we can get the link to you
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Who: Anyone looking to relax with a bit of coloring creativity
What: Create a Zentangle framework and then color it in
When: Sunday August 31 at 3 PM
Where: Arroyo Seco Library, 6145 N. Figueroa Street.
Why: For fun, to meet people, to destress and relax…
Questions: Give us a call at 323-255-0537
*image created by participant in prior event
This month’s question was who was the first Pharaoh of Egypt? To quote from our source:
“The history of Egypt as a country really begins about 3000 BCE, when a man named Narmer managed, for the first time, to unite both the upper and lower regions of Egypt. He thus became the first pharaoh and according to legend, also established the capital city of Memphis at the juncture between the two halves of the land.”
The question (and answer) were found in Daily Life Through History. The Daily Life Through History database allows you to browse articles about daily life in the ancient world, medieval world, 15th and 16 centuries, 17th and 18th centuries, 19th century, and modern world and find out what it was like. Find it on the library’s Research & Homework page under “D” and access it with your library card.
Who: Gamers and Would Be Gamers
What: We have acquired a slew of games. Join us and we’ll select one, figure out the rules, and dive in
When: Saturday, August 30 at 3 PM
Where: The Arroyo Seco Library, 6145 N. Figueroa Street.
Why: For fun, to meet people, to challenge yourself…
Questions: Give us a call at 323-255-0537
Today we have a fruit crate label for lemons from the Fillmore Lemon Ass’n. It depicts a lovely orchard scene with mountains in the back. View the full image here
Need help improving your reading and writing skills? Come by the Arroyo Seco Library any Wednesday between 4 and 6 p.m. and find that help.
Adults can work with a walk-in tutor for 15 to 20 minutes. Walk-in tutoring is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Our FREE services include:
No appointments or Reservations Required!
Please call one hour before coming to the library to confirm the tutor will be here. Our number is 323-255-0537.
Who: Adult primarily but everyone is welcome
What: Swing by for a relaxing, art filled afternoon. We will be creating zentangle frames and filling them with our own colors. Set your cares aside and join us.
When: Saturday, August 9 at 3:00 pm
Where: Arroyo Seco Library, 6045 N. Figueroa Street.
Why: For fun & relaxation