Helping Hands for Hand-Held Devices

Saturday February 25

2:00-4:00 pm

Electronically savvy and patient volunteers from the National Charity League will be available on Saturday February 25 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 pm at Crowell Public Library’s Barth Community Room to help frustrated people figure out how to use their hand-held devices.  Many people have iPods, Androids, tablets, iPhones, and other gadgets, but can’t figure out all of the features.  The young volunteers are familiar with many of the concepts behind these devices, so even if they haven’t used a particular gadget, they may be able to help a person figure out what to do.   

This program was initiated by San Marino High School student Chunbill “Billy” Liu who grew up surrounded by gadgets, but noticed there was a technology gap with people who did not have that advantage.  Billy approached Librarian Rex Mayreis about closing this gap, while getting in some community services hours for himself and his friends, but the program has continued because there is such a need.  The Los Angeles Times covered this event in the past and posted a video about it at http://lat.ms/1sODdVg.  

If you are frustrated with online and telephone support options, come to Crowell Library and work with a living, breathing techie that will help you “bond” with your device.  There’s nothing like one-on-one assistance to help solve problems and tackle sticky widgets.

Registration is required for this program.  To reserve your spot, please call 626-300-0777, extension 579 as soon as possible.  There are a limited number of volunteers, so slots will fill quickly.

Meet the Author: Maple Lam

The Friends of Crowell Public Library Meet the Authors Series

Author & Illustrator Maple Lam

featuring her latest publication My Little Sister & Me

Thursday February 23^rd   7:00 p.m.

The Friends of Crowell Public Library’s Meet the Author! series continues on Thursday, February 23 at 7:00 pm with Maple Lam who will speak about her children’s picture book, My Little Sister and Me.  Published by Harper Collins last year, the book has received significant attention in children’s literature circles. 

In the story, a young boy is asked to bring his little sister home from the bus stop after school for the first time and he finds out that many things can happen on that short walk home.  It is a delightful story of a boy taking on responsibility for the first time, and his interactions with a little sister who wants very much to interact with every possible “adventure” that they encounter.  The colorful artwork draws the reader into the tale. 

Maple Lam’s family came to the United States from Hong Kong when she was eleven.  After attending Huntington Middle School and San Marino High School, she graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Studio Arts and a minor in Digital Arts.  She has always been interested in drawing, writing, creating characters and constructing worlds around them.  She finds inspiration through reading, meeting with other creatives, traveling and even finds a fascinating mixture between art and science.  Maple will speak about her path to becoming an artist and author, how she put the book together, and how she got it published.  In 2016 and 2014 Maple Lam was a finalist for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Bologna Showcase. 

The event is free and will take place in the Barth Community Room of the Crowell Library and will be appropriate for adults and for children.  Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.  Call (626) 300-0777 for questions.  Don’t miss this special Meet the Authors! event at Crowell Public Library!

Los Angeles Central Library: A History of Its Art and Architecture

The Friends of Crowell Public Library Meet the Authors Series

Los Angeles Central Library: A History of Its Art and Architecture

with authors Arnold Schwartzman & Stephen Gee

Wednesday January 11^th   7:00 p.m.

 
The Friends of Crowell Public Library’s Meet the Author! series begins 2017 on Wednesday, January 11^th at 7:00 pm with the publication Los Angeles Central Library: A History of its Art and Architecture, written by Stephen Gee with photographs by Arnold Schwartzman.  This landmark volume not only explores the visual history of the building, but also the story that has led to the legendary Library as it stands today. The Library’s beautiful building, paintings, murals, sculptures, decor, and storied tile work are captured by the lens of renowned Hollywood documentarian, photographer and graphic designer Arnold Schwartzman.  In detail that has never been chronicled before, architectural historian Stephen Gee shares the drama of the public’s fight to save the Library on several occasions, including the heart-wrenching story of the 1986 fire that destroyed or damaged over a million volumes.  More than 250 firefighters risked their lives for the love of books, and then the citizens of the city came together to save thousands of smoke and water-damaged books. That the priceless artwork originally installed in the 1926 building was preserved is nothing short of a civic miracle. Schwartzman shows the art—and much more—in page after page of color, all juxtaposed with historic images and blueprints, many never before published.

As City Librarian John F. Szabo wrote in his Foreword to Los Angeles Central Library: A History of its Art and Architecture, “Stephen Gee provides a captivating biographical tour through the life of this Los Angeles landmark. He offers the reader insights into the motivations and competing interests of the city’s leaders, extensive details on building materials, stories of conflict between stakeholders, and even a detailed list of the fascinating contests of the building’s cornerstone. . .” Between them, Gee’s words and Schwartzman’s camera leave no stone unturned.

The Los Angeles Central Library and its history are as fascinating as any of the storied volumes found on its shelves.  Library Lovers far and wide, don’t miss this special Meet the Authors! event at Crowell Public Library.