We are a branch of the Los Angeles Public Library located in Highland Park. Keep yourself updated on our doings here...
Today we have an article titled Santa Fe Railroad Built Empire which explores the history of the railroad in Southern California. In this article you will find pictures including one of the laying of rails in South Pasadena and an 1887 image of a train going over the Arroyo.
The article was written by Ted Hilgensthuler for the Los Angeles Herald & Express as part of a series of articles about past history in Los Angeles. It was published on May 23, 1959. Check it out.
This time we asked how far can a spider jump? A bit of a tricky question since there are so many types of spiders so let’s just consider it as asking how far can the spiders known for jumping jump? And the answer is that certain hunting spiders can spring distances up to 40 of their body lengths. Pretty impressive.
This question (and answer) was found via ScienceFlix. ScienceFlix is an excellent database for just browsing through to learn something interesting and while away some time. Specifically it combines curriculum-driven, leveled content, interactive features, and intuitive navigation into a single, highly-engaging digital resource for students in grades 4 through 9. Find the database listed alphabetically under S on LAPL’s Research & Homework page and access it with your library card
Today I bring you 4 pictures of Occidental. They range from a picture of the original Boyle Heights building (after it was destroyed by fire) to pictures of the original Highland Park site to a (pre-built) picture of the current site. These are all newspaper photos so they are a bit grainy but still interesting.
Register for the program at: bit.ly/3sHaRAh
If you have questions email: palvarado@lapl.org
This is the second in the NELA Summer program series. Visit [bit.ly/3t5lcq0] for information about other programs in the series.
Here we have a reprint of advertisement that appeared on 12/26/1909 in the Los Angeles Examiner. It is a map of Mt. Washington and is visually a stunning piece of work. Take a look at it.
Of course there is no right answer to the question who was your favorite author when you were 10 but let me share my answer. Diana Wynne Jones is an author I loved reading at 10 and in fact I still like to read her books now that I am long past 10. Jones writes books that are hard to define. They have strong fantasy elements when they aren’t outright fantasy and they are always a good story. Her books include Howl’s Moving Castle (a title lovers of Japanese animated films will recognize). Jones is an author that other authors cite as someone they read (and loved) in childhood and later.
Find out all about Jones, and other authors of children’s and YA literature in the database Something About the Author. This database is the Complete series on the lives and careers of popular and significant authors and illustrators of books for children and teens. Find the database listed alphabetically under S on LAPL’s Research & Homework page and access it with your library card
Usually I bring you a history of Highland Park article but today I’m going to let you look at an article about the Los Angeles Public Library. The article is titled Biggest Lender in the West and briefly described with “9,000,000 Books a Year: A Report to the People of Los Angeles on their Public Library.” It was put together in 1955 and provides a snapshot of current and projected library use and uses. Most interestingly it is filled with absolutely charming graphic images. I’d say take a look at it if only to admire these drawings.
Our question this time has no right answer… who was your favorite author when you were 10? If you feel like sharing your answer on Facebook & Instagram you can or you can chat to me via ayosco@lapl.org
Readings & Conversation
