ALOUD Spring Preview: Cheech Marin

You immediately associate Cheech Marin as half of the comedy duo Cheech & Chong, and you know him for his memorable roles in Up in Smoke, Born in East L.A., Desperado, The Lion King, and Jane the Virgin, to name a few. But did you know that Marin is also the owner of the most renowned collection of Chicano art in the world? Did you know that before he became a face of the recreational drug movement, he grew up the son of a LADP cop? The ever-evolving performer, actor, director, and art collector is also the author of several art books and children’s books, and now he has penned a long-awaited memoir, Cheech Is Not My Real Name…But Don’t Call Me Chong! In this new memoir, the counterculture legend writes candidly about coming-of-age as the wisecracking kid in 1960s Los Angeles. From hightailing it to Canada to resist the draft as a young man, to delving into the arts as a maker and patron, Marin shares from many surprising journeys along the way that lead to creating one of the most successful comedy acts of all time. Before Cheech visits ALOUD on March 28 to discuss his memoir and incredible career spanning over 45 years, we caught up with Marin about painting, writing, and his love for Los Angeles.

Cheech Marin. Photo by Hector Levya.
Cheech Marin. Photo by Hector Levya.

 What are some of the things that you think readers of your memoir will be surprised to learn about you?
Marin: If someone knows me mostly as “Cheech,” they will undoubtedly be surprised with many of the stories I’m sharing through my memoir; for example, I was a professional potter, I lived in Canada for three years, I was an altar boy, and I have practiced transcendental meditation daily since I was 19.

Also, your collection of Chicano art is such an interesting thing to learn about—why is collecting art—preserving this facet of Chicano culture and history—important to you?
Marin: I believe that Chicanos are the best painters out there today. I love it because this school of painting offers the widest variety of styles and techniques. I’m passionate about it because Chicano art is American art. Chicano art has been largely kept out of American museums until recently. Chicano artists haven’t been given the shelf space in museums allotted to other American artists. That’s why I’ve worked so hard over the years to get Chicano art on view in the mainstream. My mantra has always been that you can’t love or hate Chicano art unless you see it. Once people see it, often they say something like: “I didn’t think it would look like this” and “I like this.”

From potting to standup, you have expressed yourself through many art forms and now you’ve published your first memoir. Why did you decide to turn to writing to tell your personal story?
Marin: I’ve always been a writer… it’s been part of what I’ve done throughout my career, from writing dialogue to drafting performances to penning my thoughts about art in exhibition catalogs.

You will be taking part in the Library Foundation’s ALOUD series this spring, and you’ve participated in several other Library Foundation programs like when you interviewed Carlos Santana at ALOUD in 2014. Why is supporting the Library important to you?
Marin: The Los Angeles Public Library is where I spent hours and hours teaching myself about art after school.

Finally, since Marin is a lifelong Angeleno, we asked him for his top five L.A. cultural hot spots and these are his picks:

1. LACMA—“The museum is coordinating the retrospective on Carlos Almaraz for the Getty’s upcoming Pacific Standard Time series of exhibitions.

2. Roy Choi’s restaurants—“Because his cuisine reflects the diversity and integration of cultures that exist side by side harmoniously in Los Angeles from Koreatown to Chinatown, Venice and beyond.”

3. Malibu—“One of the most beautiful beaches in the world.”

4. Downtown Los Angeles—“Currently the center of L.A.’s cultural diverse scene, including Disney Hall and I love this painting of it by Roberto Gutiérrez, one of the painters in my Chicano art collection.”

5. Little Tokyo and Olvera Street—“My father was a police officer and these neighborhoods were part of his beat.”

 

Learn more about this upcoming program and get tickets at lfla.org/aloud.

Tuesday, March 28, 7:30 PM
The Aratani Theatre
An Evening with Cheech Marin
Cheech is Not My Real Name…But Don’t Call Me Chong
In conversation with “La Marisoul” Hernandez
Co-presented with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center

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Coming Soon: Shakespeare on Film

Before the Library Foundation closes the curtain on its special celebration of Shakespeare’s lasting legacy and influence on culture today, Lost and Found at the Movies will take a closer look at the evolving relationship between the Elizabethan era’s great playwright and the 20th century’s great art form. On Thursday, March 23, curator John Nein will trace Shakespeare’s cinematic journey from the early silent era to recent Hollywood blockbusters.

Shakespeare on Film

Alfred Molina

Actor extraordinaire and thespian at heart Alfred Molina will be the evening’s special guest. Joining the conversation to explore the challenges and nuances of approaching Shakespeare as a performer, Molina’s passion for Shakespeare began with his childhood in London and as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and he has appeared on the big screen in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of As You Like It, and Julie Taymor’s The Tempest.

And finally, taking the stage for a highly original and likely hilarious Shakespeare production—the Improvised Shakespeare Company will treat the audience to a one-of-a-kind performance. You can RSVP now for this upcoming program, and to set the stage, here is a look at a few clips from some of the diverse ways Shakespeare has left his mark on film.

Orson Welles’ Chimes at Midnight

Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet

Max Reinhardt’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Julie Taymor’s The Tempest

The Improvised Shakespeare Company

 

Learn more about the upcoming Lost and Found at the Movies’ Shakespeare on Film program here.

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RSVP to the Largest Library Party of the Year!

As the Library Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, we are throwing the largest Library party of the year to celebrate all things literary. Join us for the 6th Annual Book Drop Bash, an after-hours soiree following the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books when we throw out all of the library rules and raise our voices well above a whisper. On Saturday, April 22, Members of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles will gather with authors from the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the historic Central Library after dark for this exclusive event.

Book Drop Bash

Bring a book and take a book–or books–with our legendary book swap, dance to a DJ set sponsored by KCRW, enjoy local brews from Angel City Brewery, a tequila tasting by Dolce Vida, Blue Bottle coffee, tasty snacks, photo booth fun, and other treats. Stay tuned for the slate of authors attending the Festival this year. Past participants have included T.C. Boyle (pictured below), LeVar Burton, Janet Fitch, Jonathan Gold, Attica Locke, Susan Orlean, Luis J. Rodriguez, Kenneth Turan, David Ulin, and many more Library Foundation supporters.

If you would like to attend and are not a Member, you can purchase a ticket to the event, which will include a one-year Membership to the Library Foundation. Learn more about tickets and make your reservation for the Bash. The special evening kicks-off with a VIP Preview from 7-8 pm offering Contributor Members and higher first access to the Book Swap, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a Champagne toast, and an exclusive giveaway. The official party opens at 8 pm to all Members.

Book Drop Bash

Thanks to all of our sponsors for making this such a truly special event, including Grand Park, Lyft, and Kind Bars. Learn more about the 6th Annual Book Drop Bash.

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Spring into Action with ALOUD

Exchanging ideas, fostering dialogue, and bringing together our community is more important than ever. Spring into action with our upcoming season of ALOUD as a new slate of award-winning authors, trailblazing scientists, renowned historians, and more will explore some of today’s most timely issues. Discussing race and poverty, the current presidency, water wars, and also sharing from newly released fiction, memoirs, and poetry—read below to see this exciting spring line-up. Online reservations now available at lfla.org/ALOUD.

ALOUD audience members for The Sellout: A Novel

The Constitution and the Presidency–March 2
Erwin Chemerinsky in conversation with journalist Jim Newton
Chemerinsky, the founding Dean and Professor of First Amendment Law at UC Irvine, discusses the numerous constitutional issues raised in the first weeks of the new administration.

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City–March 7
Matthew Desmond in conversation with Steve Lopez, columnist, L.A. Times
MacArthur Prize winning and Harvard sociologist Matthew Desmond bears witness to the human cost of economic exploitation and the housing crisis and offers ideas for solving these uniquely American problems in his New York Times bestselling book.

Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong book cover

Night Sky with Exit Wounds–March 13
Ocean Vuong in conversation with author Viet Thanh Nguyen
Navigating worlds of history, sexuality, and humanity, Ocean Vuong reads from his award-winning poetry and reflects on what it means to write as a Vietnamese refugee in the contemporary space, joined by 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen.

Tides: The Science and Spirit of the Ocean–March 16
Jonathan White
A leading environmental advocate considers the current state of our oceans’ infinitely complex and ever-changing ecosystems.

Elif Batuman
Elif Batuman, photo by Beowulf Sheehan

The Idiot: A Novel–March 20
Elif Batuman in conversation with author Steve Hely
New Yorker staff writer Batuman shares her delightfully refreshing coming-of-age novel following a Harvard freshman and daughter of Turkish immigrants in the strange new worlds of academics, friendships, and falling in love via email.

Cheech Marin
Cheech Marin.

An Evening with Cheech Marin*–March 28
Cheech Marin in conversation with “La Marisoul” Hernandez
Counterculture legend Cheech Marin candidly reflects on coming-of-age in 1960s Los Angeles and his 45-year career in his new memoir with L.A.’s own Marisol Hernandez.
Co-presented with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
*Ticketed event at the Aratani Theater. For more information please visit JACCC or call (213) 680-3700.

Infidels: A Novel–April 12
Abdella Taïa in conversation with poet Steven Reigns
Acclaimed novelist, filmmaker, and one of the most prominent and openly gay Arab writers of his generation, Taïa discusses his latest novel about a young gay Muslim’s search for love and belonging with the first City Poet of West Hollywood.

How Everything Became War and the Military Became Everything–April 13
Rosa Brooks in conversation with Nicholas Goldberg editorial page editor, L.A. Times
Tracing the political, military, and cultural shifts in times of persistent wars, former Pentagon official Rosa Brooks examines the risks facing America’s founding values, laws, and institutions.

Where the Water Goes by David Owen

Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River–April 18
David Owen in conversation with environmental writer Judith Lewis Mernit
Journalist David Owen traces the complexities of the vast man-made ecosystem of the Colorado River and illuminates the high-stakes of the water wars of the West.

Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry Awards–April 20
25th Anniversary Celebration and Reading by 2017 Awardees
Hosted by Alice Quinn, Executive Director, Poetry Society of America
Celebrating 25 years of one of contemporary poetry’s most prestigious awards, this year’s awardees Vievee Francis and Phillip B. Williams will read recent work.

From L.A. to the Outback: Two Novelists–May 9
David Francis in conversation with author Jane Smiley
Friends and fellow authors discuss Francis’ (VP, PEN Center USA) latest work set in rural Australia that explores the timeless struggle between the past and present, town and country.

In a Western Light: Poetry at the Edge of America–May 11
Readings by poets Victoria Chang, Brendan Constantine, Kim Dower, Blas Falconer, Amy Gerstler, Doug Kearney and Brynn Saito
Contemporary California poets celebrate the widely diverse poetry of seven distinguished California writers, from Bukowski and Coleman to Stein and Herrera.
Co-presented by Red Hen Press

bower bird

The Evolution of Beauty–May 16
Richard O. Prum in conversation with evolutionary biologist Amy Parish
Culminating 30 years of fieldwork, world renowned ornithologist and MacArthur Award-winner Richard Prum presents a scientific vision of how nature’s splendor contributes to a more complete understanding of evolution and ourselves.

Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space–May 18
Janna Levin in conversation with theoretical physicist Sean Carroll
Astrophysicist and award-winning writer Janna Levin explores the epic campaign of scientists who embarked on a fifty-year endeavor to capture the elusive sounds of gravitational waves.

Dennis Lehane (credit Gaby Gerster,Diogenes, Zuric)
Dennis Lehane. Photo by Gaby Gerster.

 An Evening with Dennis Lehane*–May 23
Dennis Lehane in conversation with writer and producer Attica Locke
A special evening with international bestselling writer Dennis Lehane discussing his newest suspense novel “Since We Fell” and his wide-ranging work.
*Ticketed event at the Writers Guild Theater. Visit lfla.org/aloud for tickets.

Behave: The Biology of Humans at our Best and Worst–May 25
Robert Sapolsky in conversation with evolutionary biologist Amy Parish
From the environment and endocrinology to genetics and evolution MacArthur Award-winning neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky considers millions of years of science to wrestle with why humans do the things they do.

All events are free and take place at the historic Central Library unless noted. For more information about all of these programs, visit lfla.org/ALOUD. And if you can’t make a program, then listen to the podcast afterwards—explore our media archive for new and old programs.

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Literature in Translation

Bringing together two leading voices in contemporary Mexican literature for the first time in Los Angeles, Valeria Luiselli and Guadalupe Nettel will take the ALOUD stage on February 23 to share from their recent work. Both writers are known for their highly skillful and often playful use of language—conjuring exciting new worlds through metaphor and poetic impulses that subvert readers’ expectations.

Valeria Luiselli. Photo by Alfredo Pelcastre.
Valeria Luiselli. Photo by Alfredo Pelcastre.
Guadalupe Nettel.
Guadalupe Nettel.

Luiselli, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction and two-time recipient of the Los Angeles Times’ Book Prizes will share from The Story of My Teeth, an imaginative odyssey through Mexico City’s art world and industrial suburbs. Nettel will discuss her unconventional autobiographical novel, The Body Where I Was Born, and her short fiction, Natural Histories, a playful exploration of human obsessions. This special evening is co-presented with the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles and will be presented in both English and Spanish. Over the years, ALOUD has hosted several multilingual programs celebrating literature in translation to foster a cross-cultural space at the library. Before we hear from Luiselli and Nettel, check out these past ALOUD bilingual programs from our media archive:

Ten years after his death, an ALOUD panel delved into the great and mythical legacy of Chilean author Roberto Bolaño.

Sandra Cisneros, the award-winning novelist, poet, and beloved author of The House on Mango Street, shared over three decades of true stories, essays, talks, and poems as she discussed her memoir.

Raising her voice for women’s rights, immigration reform, environmental activism, and more, GRAMMY-nominated musician Ana Tijoux discussed her politically powered verses.

Lost City Radio novelist Daniel Alarcón and team joined ALOUD for a special live presentation of Radio Ambulante – the first ever Spanish-language radio show created to tell the stories of latinoamericanos de todas las Américas.

 

Explore all of ALOUD’s media archives here, including podcasts of programs with award-winning author and the former President of PEN Mexico Jennifer Clement, a discussion on immigration with Los Angeles Times columnist Gregory Rodriguez, and more.

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Last Call for America’s Shakespeare: The Bard Goes West

Continuing the yearlong celebration of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s extraordinary legacy, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles is exploring the timeless impact of the Bard on California culture and America as a whole through a series of special programs and events, including a new exhibition America’s Shakespeare: The Bard Goes West. Closing out its run at the Central Library’s Getty Gallery on February 26, this exhibit is a first-time collaboration between the Library Foundation, the acclaimed Folger Shakespeare Library, and the Los Angeles Public Library.

America's Shakespeare: The Bard Goes West entrance
“America’s Shakespeare: The Bard Goes West” Exhibit at the Los Angeles Public Library. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging).

“By presenting the life and work of William Shakespeare in a context that is unique to Los Angeles, this exhibit is now available to the largest, most diverse population in the nation. Angelenos of all ages have unprecedented access to a rare First Folio at their own library and then can explore how Shakespeare’s legacy influences our city even 400 years later,” says City Librarian John F. Szabo. The free exhibit spotlights archival maps, costumes, photographs, playbills, advertisements, books, personal letters, and more from state and local resources to shed light into the unique ways the playwright is woven into California’s history.

America's Shakespeare, The Bard Goes West" Exhibit at the Los Angeles Public Library on December 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
Costumes on display. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging).
America's Shakespeare, The Bard Goes West" Exhibit at the Los Angeles Public Library on December 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
Interactive theatre. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging).
America's Shakespeare, The Bard Goes West" Exhibit at the Los Angeles Public Library on December 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
“West Side Story” Movie memorabilia. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

Extending the Shakespeare festivities city-wide, neighborhood branches of the Los Angeles Public Library has offered bilingual Spanish/English sonnets readings, acting workshops focused on Shakespeare’s monologues, a Bard-centric screen printing workshop by Self Help Graphics, a demonstration of Shakespearean scenes with real fencing by Swordplay LA, among other free programs. Also, renowned director Joss Whedon sat down for an exclusive interview filmed in the Rare Books room at the Central Library to discuss his film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing.

 

 

Continuing a look at Shakespeare in cinema, the Library Foundation’s Lost & Found at the Movies series will return for a special program in March. The ALOUD literary series is also hosting two special programs. Peter Sellars and Ayana Thompson discussed the role of race in Shakespeare last month and you can listen to the podcast here. Coming up on February 16, James Shapiro and Lisa Wolpe will explore gender, identity, and why Shakespeare still matters in contemporary America.

Visit lfla.org/shakespeare for more details on the exhibit and a calendar of the remaining programs.

 

 

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L.A. Love at The Library Store

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we’re declaring our love for Los Angeles at The Library Store this month. With a swoon-worthy selection of gifts made by local artisans–from yummy chocolates, honey, and jam, to handcrafted jewelry and ceramics, stationery, and more–we’ve got you and your loved ones covered! Look for these locally sourced goods in our downtown shop located at Central Library or check us out online at shop.lfla.org. Plus, all sales from The Library Store support the Los Angeles Public Library, so it’s a true L.A. romance.

Pink Glaze Bowl from The Library Store
This stunning Pink Drip Large Bowl is made and designed in Los Angeles, and features a ceramic glaze drip that is unique to each bowl. Perfect as a fruit bowl, salad bowl, or as a decorative centerpiece to hold your Valentine candy.
Brass Cuffs
One-of-a-kind jewelry handcrafted by @maddalenabearzi uses a variety of reclaimed, vintage, and fine metals. These Terra Brass cuffs are gorgeous works of wearable art.
Totally Bananas card
You’ve probably got some correspondence to take care of for Valentine’s Day. Make The Library Store your first stop for card shopping; we have something to please everyone in the bunch including many locally designed cards.
LA Blend chocolate bar
The fan-favorite Mast chocolatiers have concocted a uniquely L.A. flavor.

Or shop all of our one-of-a-kind Valentine gifts at The Store like these:

Hello Beautiful catchall
Pretty in pink–this is a great catchall for all things sparkly. Your special someone will love this sweet reminder of your adoration.
Captured Heart trinket box
Our heart-shaped macaroon trinket box is the perfect spot for stashing treasures like this adorable heart pin.

Shop now at The Library Store!

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Get Toasty With Young Literati

On April 1 at Neuehouse Hollywood, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles’ young and inspiring membership group Young Literati will host its Ninth Annual Toast gala. Hosted by Colin Hanks and Busy Philipps (pictured below), the event includes performances by comedian and Netflix talk show host Chelsea Handler, comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani, musical guest Andrew Bird, and other special guests to be announced.

Busy Philipps hosts Young Literati gala

Funds raised at this event will support Student Zones at the Los Angeles Public Library. Student Zones are dedicated spaces within Library branches that provide kids and teens with a safe, welcoming environment to study and to access state-of-the-art computer technology, individual tutoring, and school supplies at no cost. There are currently 34 neighborhood libraries across the city of Los Angeles that have Student Zones and last year nearly 30,000 students used their resources. Programs like this are part of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles’ mission to support student success programming at the Los Angeles Public Library.

Toast 2016 Buyepongo

As we get ready to raise our glass at the Young Literati’s biggest celebration of the year, here’s a look at some of our special guests who will gather to toast the Los Angeles Public Library. Learn more about attending the Toast here—tickets go on sale February 1.

Andrew Bird, a one-man orchestra of the imagination:

 

Kumail Nanjiani talks Freddy vs Jason, The Elephant Man, and being comforted by his mother:

 

Chelsea Handler’s nugget of wisdom:

 

Colin Hanks on his new show, Life in Pieces:

 

Learn more about the Ninth Annual Toast at lfla.org/toast or contact Rebecca Miller, Director of Young Literati, at [email protected] or 213.292.6245.

 

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Did You Know? 25 Years of Supporting Our Libraries

In 1986, corporate and community leaders along with thousands of volunteers came together to overcome the devastating arson fires that nearly destroyed the Central Library—the cornerstone of the Los Angeles Public Library system that has been serving the city since 1872. The commitment of these dedicated individuals led to the founding of the Library Foundation in 1992 to raise private sector support to benefit one of the city’s most valued public resources. Today, the Library Foundation supports so many critical resources for millions of children, teens, and adults that you may not even be aware of the range of offerings. As the Foundation kicks-off its 25th anniversary celebration in 2017, we’re taking a look at some of the surprising ways we’ve worked to make a significant difference in the lives of those who depend on the Los Angeles Public Library. Starting with this post, check out our new “Did you know?” blog series that we’ll run throughout the year.

Summer at the Library

Did you know that “Summer at the Library” is the Library’s longest operating program that started in 1930? Recognizing the importance of instilling consistent reading habits in children and teens to prepare them for academic success, the Library Foundation began supporting “Summer at the Library” (originally called the Summer Reading Club) in 1997 and the program has been growing ever since.

Summer at the Library

This past summer, 37,740 participants joined “Summer at the Library,” boosting enrollment in the program by 24 percent from the previous year. Beyond a myriad of literary activities to inspire readers of all ages to learn during the summer school break, this past summer program also included free lunches, which were served to 15,764 youth across 14 libraries. And for the first time in the program’s history, adults were formally incorporated into “Summer at the Library.” This pilot component allowed older patrons the pleasure of engaging in reading, lifelong learning, and creating a deeper relationship with the local community.

Summer at the Library

Also new to this summer was the launch of a series to bring noted children’s and young adult authors to the Los Angeles Public Library’s neighborhood branches. Through the Future Leaders Fund, an endowment recently established at the Library Foundation, young people were provided the rare and exciting opportunity to meet, hear from, and interact with published authors, including Caldecott Medal-winning author Dan Santat (pictured above) and author Patty Rodriguez, who was recently honored with a L.A. Times Latinos De Hoy Cultural Influencer Award.

Check back on the blog throughout 2017 as the Library Foundation celebrates 25 years of transforming Los Angeles through the power of libraries.

 

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A Year Full of Favorites

As more Angelenos depend on the resources and services of the Los Angeles Public Library, the support of our beloved Library continues to grow. With record-breaking participation of kids and teens in Summer at the Library, the first graduating class of the Library’s innovative new Career Online High School, and the expansion of crucial technology initiatives to name a few, the Library Foundation saw another landmark year in 2016 with its work to ensure that the Los Angeles Public Library continues to thrive as a cultural, civic, and educational community center. Before we look ahead to a new year, here’s a look back at some of our brightest moments from the last year.

ALOUD
This year’s slate of ALOUD programs included timely conversations with literary award-winners, trailblazing activists, explorers of science and science fiction, journalists, and more. National Book Award-winner Colson Whitehead shared from The Underground Railroad and two of this year’s Pulitzer Prize winners took the ALOUD stage—William Finnegan with his Pulitzer-winning biography Barbarian Days and Viet Thanh Nguyen discussed his acclaimed novel The Sympathizer.

ALOUD audiences were inspired by a dynamic group of poets throughout the year from Sharon Olds and Robin Coste Lewis exploring issues of body, race, and identity to the legendary Eileen Myles and Maggie Nelson reflecting on their poetic roots, to Kate Tempest’s impassioned call to artists about the role literature plays in our human experience.

ALOUD also celebrated the legacy of artists and activists who have greatly impacted our world from a live radio broadcast honoring the work of James Baldwin, to a lively tribute to Prince, to a look back at 50 years of the Black Panther Party—below members of this groundbreaking social movement discuss the importance of allies.

In this year of heightened political unrest, ALOUD participants helped us to make sense of the world around us. Hisham Matar discussed America’s tendency to simplify the complex histories of countries in Africa and the Middle East, including Libya, his homeland.

 

Other Cultural Programs
Beyond ALOUD, the Library Foundation hosted its 3rd in a series of projects to examine a classic text through a Southern California lens—this year’s Hollywood is a Verb tackled the epic Oxford English Dictionary and featured over 60 citywide programs, including “A Very L.A. Spelling Bee,” an unprecedented Spanish and English language spelling bee in which 13-year-old Cooper Komatsu (pictured below) beat out the adults!

Members of the Library Foundation were invited to take part in a writing seminar with local playwright Brighde Mullins and Phyllis Nagy, the screenwriter of Carol. Lost & Found at the Movies returned for a year of cinematic conversations, including a talk with genre-bending filmmaker John Landis.

landis
Lost & Found curator John Nein with John Landis. (Photo by Gary Leonard)

In the fall, the Foundation launched a public celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy that featured citywide programming throughout branch libraries and Amercia’s Shakespeare: The Bard Goes West, a special exhibition at Central Library in partnership with the Folger Shakespeare Library.

The LA Library "America's Shakespeare The Bard Goes West" Exhibition Opening on November 15, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Nicholas Gingold/Capture Imaging)
“America’s Shakespeare The Bard Goes West” Exhibition. (Photo by Nicholas Gingold/Capture Imaging

Young Literati
As The Bard Goes West showed, Shakespeare’s influences are all around us. One of our favorite moments from a year of many lively gatherings with the Young Literati included actress Constance Wu performing the St. Crispin’s Day speech from Henry V at the Young Literati Summer Social.

constance-summer-social

 

2016 Literary Awards
“Books and beauty are united. Literature happens in gorgeous, magical, important places. This is something that has shaped my entire life,” said Ann Patchett, this year’s recipient of the Los Angeles Public Library Literary Award. Patchett, along with Joan Hotchkis, a dedicated member of The Council since 1994 who received the Light of Learning Award for advocacy, were honored at the Foundation’s 24th anniversary celebration—the special benefit raised over $1 million in funds in support for the Los Angeles Public Library.

LFLA President Ken Brecher with Ann Patchett. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
LFLA President Ken Brecher with Ann Patchett. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

The Library Store
In a year of many milestones, one of the biggest projects for the year was a newly expanded and redesigned Library Store to better serve the increasing bustle of patrons and passersby pouring through the Central Library’s lobby. With an expanded retail space of almost 1200 square feet, a completely remodeled interior featuring new displays cases, lighting, fixtures, and a host of improved ADA updates, The Library Store reopened on April 28. The Library Store donates five percent of all sales to the Los Angeles Public Library and is also the official bookseller for all ALOUD events.

Online Outreach
Along with the new brick and mortar storefront at Central Library, The Library Store also launched an enhanced and streamlined digital store as well. On the Library Foundation’s website you’ll also find a new and improved online Media Archive so you can easily search and share videos and podcasts from over two decades of past cultural programs and check out specially curated sections like ALOUD’s “Top Ten of 2016.” Our social media presence also upped its game by pulling from the library shelves for #BookFaceFriday.

book-face-friday

 

Membership
Finally, all of these activities throughout the year would not be possible without the dedicated support of our Members. We launched our first-ever Members Month in July full of special events and benefits in appreciation of all of our dedicated Library supporters! Thanks to all of our supporters for a successful 2016 and Happy New Year from the Library Foundation!

 

both members

 

 

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