EConnect February 2024

E-CONNECT | FEBRUARY 2024 UPDATE FROM THE ALTADENA LIBRARIES

The Altadena Libraries will be closed Monday,
Feb. 19, for Presidents' Day.

Have a Blind Date with a Book!

Enjoy a blind date with a book for the entire month of February at the Main Library or at the Bob Lucas Memorial Library during the week of Feb. 12 to 16.

How it works: select and check out a wrapped book (clues on the front hint at the title).

Will it be love at first page? If you don't like your "date," return it for a new one...no hard feelings.

We'd also love if you review and rate your book!

Do you know? With your Altadena Library card you can...

Conduct scholarly research, talk to online tutors (for K-12) through Brainfuse, and get training and job help, all through our online databases.

Watch movies and stream music with hoopla, read & listen to books on cloudLibrary, and peruse thousands of newspapers with pressreader. Access these apps here.

Borrow, browse, pick up and return books and other materials at our vending machines at Prime Pizza in Altadena and the Main Library.

Check out items like early equity kits, a pickle ball set, and blood pressure monitors. Search for Library of Things at catalog.altadenalibrary.org.

Register for Self-Service Extended Access — from 8 to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday at the Main Library — at altadenalibrary.org/extendedaccess.

We also offer a Homebound Delivery Service for eligible Altadena residents. To learn about eligibility or to request the service, visit altadenalibrary.org/homebound.

Help Us Build a Tool Lending Library!

Soon you will be able to check out tools with your Altadena Library card, as we are collaborating with Plant Material to launch a tool lending library.

But first, we need your help building up our collection of garden tools. Please bring new or gently used garden tools to Plant Material in February to donate to this effort.

Plant Material is located at 3081 Lincoln Ave. and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friends of the Altadena Library
Used Book Sale!
Sunday, Feb. 25, 10am-4pm
Main Library Parking Lot

Only Friends of the Library are able to shop from 10 to 10:30 a.m., but you can become a member on-site for $10. The sale is open to all from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Second Saturday: Kenny Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans

Saturday, Feb. 10 • 7-9pm
Main Library Main Floor

Mt. Lowe Chamber Players:
Interactive Family Concert

Sunday, Feb. 25

3-5pm

Main Library Main Floor

This concert is geared towards people of all ages but is especially accessible for young children, combining musical imagery and dances from around the world presented by a string quartet.

This program will include an introduction to the string instrument family and some audience participation. Music will include “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Blue Danube Waltzes,” Vivaldi’s “Seasons,” Saint Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals,” Offenbach “Can Can.” Curated by Agnes Gottschewski.

The Altadena Poets Laureate are seeking applicants for the 2024-2026 term.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 10, 2024.

Click for more information and application guidelines.

Altadena Poet Laureate Carla R. Sameth Book Launch & Reading

Sunday, Feb. 25 • 2-4pm
Underdog Bookstore, 312 S. Myrtle, Monrovia

Join Altadena Poet Laureate Carla R. Sameth for a book launch & reading of her first full-length poetry collection, Secondary Inspections, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25, at the Underdog Bookstore (312 S. Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia).

Altadena Poets Laureate: Reading with Hazel Harrison, Teresa Mei Chuc, Elline Lipkin, and Thelma Reyna

Tuesday, Feb. 27 • 6-8pm
Main Library Community Room

Join us for a Poets Laureate reading with poets Hazel Harrison, Teresa Mei Chuc, Elline Lipkin, and Thelma Reyna.

This program is made possible by the Altadena Library Foundation and the Friends of the Altadena Library. This event is made possible by the Academy of American Poets with funds from the Mellon Foundation. This event is supported by Poets & Writers. This event is supported by Women Who Submit.

Lunar New Year Celebration: Performance by Immortals Lion Dance

Friday, Feb. 2 • 6-7pm
Main Library Parking Lot

Writing Your Story with Author Lordina Hawkins Smith

Saturday, Feb. 3

11-12:30pm

Main Library Small Meeting Room

Through creative prompts & exercises, Lorinda Hawkins Smith will help you to discover the joys of writing your story. Registration is required.

Open Mic Night

Monday, Feb. 5
6:00-7:30pm
Main Library

Come share your work and listen to your neighbors' work. All ages, all genres.

Fab Lab Drop-In: Love Letters for the Dead

Monday, Feb. 5 • 5:30-7:30pm

Main Library Fab Lab

Explore how to use a Cricut to create valentines for people in your life who have died. You will have the option to send your cards to Postal Service for the Dead.

Murder Mystery: Murder at Mardi Gras

Wednesday, Feb. 7
6:30-8:30pm

Main Library

Enjoy an evening with neighbors as you work together to solve "Murder at Mardi Gras." You will become a character in this whodunit.

Space is limited and registration required.

Celebrating the Pursuit of Peace & Justice through Music and Drama
Saturday, February 10 • 2-4pm
Altadena Main Library Community Room

In honor of Black History Month, the Altadena Libraries, Altadena Historical Society & All Saints Church Racial Justice Ministry present celebrating the Pursuit of Peace & Justice through music and drama featuring Brother Gerald Rivers as Martin Luther King, Jr. & The Peace Players.

Sip 'n Poem

Thursday, Feb. 15

6-7:30pm

Callisto Tea House
1359 N. Altadena Drive

A night of poetry and prompts celebrating Black History Month through Black Art...and tea. Hosted by Willa C. Richards and J.M. Holmes. Registration is required.

Rights and Rituals: The Making of African American Debutante Culture

Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6-7:30pm
Main Library Community Room

Curator Taylor Bythewood-Porter discusses the development of this rite of passage and its historical and cultural significance.

West African Kora (harp) presented by Sean Gaskell

Wednesday, Feb. 21
4-5:30pm
Main Library Community Room

The music of the kora — a 21-stringed West African instrument — comes to Altadena!

Bridget "Biddy" Mason: Her Open Hand

Saturday, Feb. 24 • 2-3:00pm
Main Library Community Room

Author Lorinda Hawkins Smith takes us on a storytelling journey of how Bridget "Biddy" Mason won her freedom from enslavement in a California court and became a wealthy Los Angeles pioneer and philanthropist.

Children’s Author Tameka Mitchell:
Finding the Superpower within YOU!

Friday, March 1 • 4:30-5:30pm

Main Library Community Room

Children will be engaged in an emotional conversation about how every family is unique and everyone has a superpower.

February Events for All Ages

Chess Night, every Monday (except Feb. 19), 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Main Library Reading Court

February Events for Children

Curiosity Hour (for ages 0-5), Saturday, Feb. 3, 2:30-4 p.m., Main Library Community Room. Explore early learning toys & books while connecting with other local families!

Children's Seasonal Craft at Bob Lucas, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 4-5 p.m., Bob Lucas Memorial Library, Registration required

Pajama Storytime, Monday, Feb. 12. 8, 6:00-6:45 p.m., Main Library Community Room

Family Storytime at Loma Alta Park, Wednesday, Feb. 14 & 28, 4-5 p.m., Social Hall at Loma Alta Park

Sensory Storytime at Bob Lucas, Saturday, Feb. 24, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Bob Lucas Library, Registration required

Paper Mosaic Craft, Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Main Library Community Room. For families with children in grades K-5.

Preschool Storytime & Play!, every Thursday, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Main Library Front Lawn/Community Room

Baby & Toddler Storytime & Play, every Monday (except Feb. 19), 10:30-11:15 a.m., Main Library Front Lawn/Community Room

Storytime at Bob Lucas, every Tuesday, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Bob Lucas Memorial Library

Valentine's Day Flower Arranging for Tweens
Tuesday, Feb. 13 • 4:00-5:00pm
Main Library Community Room

Learn about the meaning of different flowers and how Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world in this fun flower arranging class. All participants will be able to take 2 small bouquets home to gift to a friend or loved one. Registration Required. Ages 8-12.

February Events for Teens

Teen Poetry Club, Saturday, Feb. 10, 12-2pm, Main Library Small Meeting Room. Moderated by WriteGirl/Bold Ink Writers, this is a trans and LGBTQ friendly space to learn and build poetry writing skills, share your work, and get inspired.

Teen Volunteer Orientation, every Thursday, 5-6 p.m., Main Library Teen Space.

Teens (ages 14-17) are invited to volunteer and can earn service hours. Learn more at https://www.altadenalibrary.org/teens.

Teens! Take Up Space! Black History Month Display

Saturday, Feb. 3 • 2-3:30pm

Main Library Teen Space

This month, come by to the Teen Space to help create an interactive display for the library. Collaborate with the Teen Librarian on a Black History Month display in the Teen Space! Bring your ideas, book recommendations, and creative vision to this program.

We will also make buttons promoting reading books by black authors to give out to other Teens!

All teens (ages 13-17) are welcome

Teen Leadership Council:
Spring 2024 Cohort

Tuesday, Feb. 20 • 6-7:30pm

Main Library Teen Space

Join this year’s spring cohort (Teens 13-17 years old), which will meet for 3 consecutive months. We will work together to collectively identify social issues here in the Altadena community that not only teens face but other community members. Over the three months (2/20, 3/19, 4/16), we will find creative ways to take action through community service.

Teen Stop-Motion Automation
Friday, Feb. 9 • 4-5:30pm
Main Library Community Room

Learn about the basics of stop motion and create your own video using "Stop Motion" app (it's free!). We will have iPad minis available but feel free to bring/use your own iPad/iPhone/etc. Create your own creatures using clay or just simply draw on paper and see what animation comes out of it! All materials, mixed media supplies (modeling clay, paper, pen, etc.) , and snacks will be provided. Registration is required as space is limited.

February Events for Adults

Altadena Library District Garden Club, Thursday, Feb. 8 & 22, 10-11:30am, Main Library Parking Lot. We will plant flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs during the correct season and tend indoor plants, rain or shine.

Huntington Health Screenings, Monday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Main Library

Adult Craft Hour: Clay Coaster Set, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 4 to 5 p.m., Main Library Small Meeting Room, Registration required

Adult Craft: Clay Coaster Set, Friday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Plant Material, 3081 Lincoln Ave., Registration required

Cozy Crafters Club, Friday, Feb. 23, 4-6 p.m., Callisto Tea House. Bring your own project to work on or dip into our supply basket to try a new craft you've been curious about.

English Conversation Club, Every Tuesday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Main Library Small Meeting Room. Practice learning, listening and speaking English in a friendly setting.

Book Clubs