Explore…

Feeling bored at home? Why not explore some of the library’s resources.  Today let’s look at what your library card can get you in terms of streaming video.  You will be able to access each of these resources by visiting the library website’s eMedia page (https://lapl.org/collections-resources/e-media)

The first candidate is Hoopla.  Hoopla offers e-books, e-comics, full-length feature movies, episodic television programming, full musical albums and unabridged e-audiobooks. You can access Hoopla’s features on your smart device or through your browser.

Next we feature Kanopy.  With Kanopy you can stream over 26,000 films from hundreds of popular producers such as The Criterion Collection, and PBS, as well as thousands of independent filmmakers—on every topic imaginable.  Questions about Kanopy? Check out the FAQ (https://lapl.org/kanopy/faq). Note that the number of titles for checkout per month is currently set at 9.

Moving on, there’s Digitalia Film.  If foreign films are your thing Digitalia Film is for you.  Digitalia offers streaming films available to watch online.  These are mostly foreign language but it also has some classic American cinema. This includes feature films as well as documentaries.

An eResource to Explore with Your Children

The Tumblebook Library provides an online collection of animated, talking picture books which teach young children the joys of reading in a format they'll love.

Included in this collection you will find…

• Story Books are animated, talking picture books. Users have the option to automatically or manually turn the pages. 
• Chapter Books/Read-Alongs are early chapter books for older elementary readers. While there are no animations, the ebooks are narrated. They also include Chapter menus so that you can jump chapters, and a bookmarks and notes feature which are cookied onto your computer. 
• The Graphic Novels collection is hugely popular with readers! There are titles for all ages and reading levels, with multiple genres and topics. They also feature gorgeous artwork and well-known characters like Lego Ninjago, The Smurfs, and Geronimo Stilton!
• Videos are from the world renowned National Geographic! Simply click on "Watch Online" to watch the 2-5 minute clips on various topics. Most of the videos have been paired with ebooks as a way to introduce a topic!
• Puzzles & Games accompany each book and reinforce concepts from the books, allowing for a fun and educational learning experience.
• Language Learning is an easy way to access French and Spanish titles!
• Non-Fiction contains a growing collection of non-fiction titles with subjects like health, science, astronomy, biology, nature, biography, and history!

You will find it on the Research & Homework page on the library website alphabetically under T (https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework#T).  Check it out.

History of Highland Park…

The 7/5/1956 article, “Colorful California landmark of northeast community hidden behind Burbank School,” gives the history of the Highland Park Reservoir.  First built in 1889 you can still see hidden in mysterious building tucked back behind the school next to the skate park. 

Check out the article for all the interesting details.

Relic

Alan Dean Foster’s Relic is a novel set in the future after humanity has colonized many worlds, continued their penchant for self-destruction, and managed to unleash a plague that killed every member but one, Ruslan.  Ruslan has been pulled from the wreckage of humanity by the Myssari who have been studying him, and the wreckage of human society, ever since.  Eventually Ruslan convinces the Myssari to try to find Earth and the story goes from there.

Straight up SF this book includes not one but two different alien species that the author has great fun developing.  Although there is plenty of action, overall the pace of the book is a bit slow.  I would recommend the book but you might want to skim ahead when you find yourself getting bogged down.

Trivia of the Month...

This month’s question is what does the expression “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” mean?

Library closed through March 31

Los Angeles Public Library Response to COVID-19

Keeping You Safe is Our Priority

Like all Angelenos, we are facing the challenges of a quickly changing landscape in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). As always, the health and safety of our patrons and staff is our priority. We are in constant communication with other city departments, local officials and health authorities.

Following Mayor Garcetti’s directive and out of an abundance of caution, we want to share the steps the library is taking to protect the health and safety of our patrons and staff while still providing essential library services:

• Following guidelines limiting the number of people in public buildings, we have closed the Central Library and the 72 branch libraries through March 31.
• During this time, due dates for borrowed materials will be automatically extended, no late fines will be assessed, and patrons can return materials when libraries reopen.
• Librarians are available to provide assistance through telephone reference (213) 228-7272; the web-based service, Ask A Librarian; and Book A Librarian.
• Of course our many digital services remain available 24/7 at lapl.org, including e-books and audiobooks; streaming TV, movie and music services; classes and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.
• We created and will continue to update this resource page in English and Spanish with information about the COVID-19 virus and how to keep you and your loved ones safe.
• You can stay updated on the library here on our website and following our social media accounts @lapubliclibrary.

Once again, your health and safety is of utmost importance, and we will evaluate and adjust as new information becomes available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we thank you for your continued understanding and support.

All library programs canceled through 3/31

As you can see from the graphic the library has canceled all public programs through the end of March.  I will keep you updated as to the resumption of programming as soon as I know anything.

The library remains open for use as a library and does have a plethora of e-resources you can explore and utilize from the comfort of your own home.

This Sunday's (3/15) Music CANCELLED

Perhaps unsurprisingly the music performance scheduled for this Sunday, March 15 has been CANCELLED.

We will reschedule at some future date... I will let you know when I know.

March eResource of the Month

If you are looking for health information for and about teenagers then you need look no further then March’s eResource of the Month, Teen Health & Wellness.

Teen Health & Wellness is a comprehensive database that allows teens to research health-related issues important to their well-being.  It’s both a research/report tool and a shelf-help resource.  The subjects covered include drugs and alcohol, nutrition, mental health, green living, LGBTQ issues, and much more.

Teen Health & Wellness can be found on the Los Angeles Public Library’s Research & Homework page under “T” (https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/research-and-homework#T). Take some time and explore it.

More Music…

EVENT CANCELLED

This is going to sound familiar but… We have unexpectedly, and admittedly, again, at the very last moment, been able to schedule a performance by a UCLA Gluck group.  This time it is the String Quartet.  The performance will be this coming Sunday (3/15) at 2:00.  Those of you who have been to UCLA group performances in the past will know that they always do a really nice job. If you have yet to be to such a performance, you're in for a treat.

If you're interested in finding out more about this particular group check out their entry on the Gluck website (https://schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/ensembles/gluck-string-quartets/).

Once again I'm really looking for an audience so be sure to join us and pass on the news of the event to everyone you know.

Events for the Week of March 8….

Events going on at the library during the week include:

Sunday – 3/8
UCLA Gluck Woodwinds Quintet performs at 2:00

Monday – 3/9
Grupo de apoyo para la familia at 10:00
LA DOT Tap Information Table from 2:30 to 4:30
Make it Monday at 4:00
Philosophy Discussion Group at 6:30

Tuesday – 3/10
Baby Storytime at 10:30
LAPD Readalong at 3:00

Wednesday – 3/11
Toddler Storytime at 10:30
STAR Reader at 3:00

Thursday – 3/12
STAR Reader at 3:00

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

Saturday – 3/14
VITA Free Tax Prep from 9:30 to 12:30
Walk Highland Park at 10:00
STAR Reader 2:00

This week our computer aide will be available on Tuesday from 1:00-6:00 and on Friday & Saturday from 12:00-5:00 to help you with your technology questions.

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

Toucan Keep a Secret

It seems like I’m always writing about a new Donna Andrews mystery.  I guess that speaks to the fact that I generally like her work.  I find it amusing and entertaining, just the thing for a bit of escapism.  Toucan Keep a Secret, is no exception.  Meg Langslow and her eccentric family return.  This time Meg is working in the local church to help the Reverend who is on maternity leave when she stumbles across the body of a curmudgeonly patron in the crypt, er columbarium.  Also found with the corpse is a very elaborate ring which turns out to be from a collection stolen years earlier.  So Meg must find out who killed an unpleasant old man while also unraveling a years old crime.

As always the story is light-hearted and quick to read.  Recommended for that break from your daily routine.

Unexpected Music this Sunday!

We have unexpectedly, and admittedly at the very last moment, been able to schedule a performance by the UCLA Gluck Woodwinds Quintet for this coming Sunday (3/8) at 2:00.  Those of you who have been to UCLA group performances in the past will know that they always do a really nice job. If you have yet to be to such a performance, you're in for a treat.

If you're interested in finding out more about this particular group check out their entry on the Gluck website (https://schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/ensembles/gluck-woodwind-quintet/).

In any event with the last minute-ness of this I'm really looking for an audience so be sure to join us and pass on the news of the event to everyone you know.

Walk Highland Park

With spring arriving what better thing to do then get out and get some fresh air while exploring the neighborhood?  Even better if you can do it with others. Join us on March 14 at 10:00.  We’ll take an hour and take a walk.  Dogs are welcome to come to, though they’ll have to wait outside the library for the walk to start.