Altadena Library District

E-CONNECT | APRIL 2024 UPDATE FROM THE ALTADENA LIBRARIES

The Main Library will open at 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 due to the Bob Lucas Library Groundbreaking Ceremony.

The Bob Lucas Library Closes Wednesday, April 10

for Renovations!

The last day the library will be open is April 10, 2024, and we will break ground on April 18, 2024. The expansion & renovation should take about a year. To help us prepare for this exciting project, the Friends of the Altadena Library will host a special sale of books, furniture, craft supplies and more at the Bob Lucas Library on Friday, April 12 & Saturday, April 13. The groundbreaking ceremony starts at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 18.
 
Click the image above to view our latest video about this community library on Youtube.
 
For the latest news about our building projects, visit www.altadenalibrary.org/next-chapter. 

Friends of the Altadena Library Book (and MORE!) Sale

Join us as the Friends of the Altadena Library help us prepare for the renovation of our branch library by holding a used book, furniture, craft supplies, and more sale on Friday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m & Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 2p.m.

Celebrate National Library Week with Altadena Libraries

Documentary Film Screening: The Right to Read 
Thursday, April 4, 10:30am-12:00pm, Bob Lucas Memorial Library
Tuesday, April 9, 6:30pm-8:00pm, Bob Lucas Memorial Library
The 2023 documentary film by Jenny Mackenzie shares the stories of an activist, teacher & two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success.
 
Right to Read Day
Monday, April 8, 3:00-5:00pm, Main Library Community Room
Join us for a "read in" where you can browse, check out or read curated books (children's/young adult/adult) that are frequently challenged or banned, make buttons, collect free giveaways like bookmarks/stickers, and be with community!
 
National Library Outreach Day
Wednesday, April 10, 10:00am-6:00pm, Main Library Community Room
Immerse yourself in the magic of our library outreach through two exciting components: an interactive in-person display where you can add your own memories or with our online highlight reel.

Take Action for Libraries Day
Thursday, April 11, 3:00-5:00pm, Main Library Reading Court
Join our patrons and others from across the U.S. and write a letter to members of Congress! Let them know how much you enjoy the freedom to read! Letters, envelopes, and stamps will be supplied.

Mid-Century Modern Architecture Walking Tour
Friday, April 12, 10:00-11:30am, Main Library Reading Court
Tim Gregory, The Building Biographer, will lead a walk-and-talk through our Main Library, a prime example of Mid-Century Modern Architecture designed by architect Boyd Georgi. Altadena Library Director Nikki Winslow will share future renovation plans for the building. | Registration required
 
Millionaires Row Historical Tour
Saturday, April 13, 9:30-10:30am, Main Library Parking Lot
Join docents from the Altadena Historical Society as we explore Altadena’s history and architecture on “Millionaire’s Row. This walking tour will cover Col. G.G. Green’s Carriage House, the McNally House, Camp Mariposa, and the Theosophical Society. 
| Registration required 

   

We Invite You to Become a Literacy Tutor!

Our tutors empower adult learners by teaching basic reading, writing and functional literacy skills. After completing a self-paced, online training module and being matched with a learner, tutors and learners meet 1 to 2 hours per meeting at least once a week at the library or other location based on their schedules. Tutors must commit to a minimum of six months.
To learn more about our tutoring program, go to 
 
To read the inspiring story of an adult learner, visit
 
   

Botanical Printing at the Library:
Altadena Community Quilt Exhibition
March 2 - April 29, 2024
Altadena Main Library

ALTADENA COMMUNITY QUILT ARTIST RECEPTION 
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2024 | 6:30-8PM MAIN LIBRARY 
 
Come meet the Artist-in-Residence, the Quilters, and many of the wonderful Altadena neighbors who participated in this yearlong experience. Light refreshments will be served! 

Shred Day Rescheduled to Saturday, April 6 
9am-1pm • Main Library Parking Lot

Altadena Poets Laureate:
Ode to the Land Reading at the Historic Zorthian Ranch 

Sunday, April 7 • 4-6pm

Zorthian Ranch at the Lower Ranch, 3990 Fair Oaks Avenue

Join Altadena Co-Poets Laureate Carla R. Sameth and Peter J. Harris as they host the culminating Ode to the Land reading. The afternoon features Shonda Buchanan and Xochitl-Julisa Bermejo, along with teen and adult workshop members, who will share their own words connecting place, land, family, identity, and history.

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.

Second Saturday: The Rayford Bros

Saturday, April 13 • 7-9pm 
Main Library Main Floor

Register for Second Saturday

Monarch Butterflies: Xerces Society

Monday, April 15 • 6-7pm

Main Library Community Room

Sign up for Monarch Butterflies
Wings of Change: Saving Monarch Butterflies and Their Habitat 
Monarch butterflies are America's favorite insect, yet they are facing perilous times, especially in our area. René Amy, a local Xerces Society ambassador, will shed light on their plight and provide practical tips for residents to help these magnificent creatures thrive. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how you can contribute to the conservation efforts and make a positive impact on our environment! 
Share a safe space where we can all join, practice, share in community, and nurture our creativity! You will enjoy a guided meditation to release stress and clear away the mental chatter so we can then create freely from our hearts without judgment. Bring whatever you would like to work on for the last part of class. We will listen to music as we create and then share with the community!Ideas to bring: journaling, knitting, painting, sketching, coloring books, working on a book or script, poetry, scrapbook, vision board or whatever would bring you joy to create!

Indie Author Night

Tuesday, April 16 • 6-8pm • Main Library Community Room

Listen to local authors read from their best and newest works. Meet them, get copies of their book after the reading and mingle with other book lovers. Authors:

Kimberly Davis Basso 
Elisa Parhad 
Jamie Richards 
William Loving
Ronnie Pontiac

Fab Lab Hours Extended
In addition to our Tuesday and Saturday hours, we will also have Fab Lab hours every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning in April.

Fab Lab Gab

Saturday, April 20 • 9-10am • Main Library Reading Court

Fab Lab Gab meets seasonally to discuss various topics in relation to creativity and making. The Fab Lab Gab is open to anyone and each session will include a discussion of thematically curated readings, videos, podcasts, and other media. You are encouraged to attend even if you have not read, watched, or listened to all the curated materials.

Sign up for Fab Lab Gab
Ronnie Pontiac

Tool Lending Library Launch Party

Sunday, April 21 • 9am-12pm 
Plant Material

Join us for the launch party of our new tool lending library on Sunday, April 21, at Plant Materials. In addition to workshops, crafts, and other festivities, free seeds will be available from the Altadena Seed Library and 
food & drink will be available for purchase from Lip Service Coffee, Mendy's Bagels & Tacos 210.
 
Schedule of events
9am-12pm Q&A about Tool Lending with Altadena Library staff, Microscopy sessions with LA Compost, and crafts
10am Wildlife Learning Center presents North American Animals
11am Native Bee Talk
11:45am Butterfly Release

Ronnie Pontiac

Altadena Poets Laureate: Poetry & Cookies

Saturday, April 27 • 11am-1pm 
Main Library Community Room

Join Peter J. Harris and Carla R. Sameth as they host a reading by poets published in the Altadena Poetry Review: Anthology 2024.

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.

Nature Journaling@ Altadena Community Garden
Saturday, April 27, 11am-1pm 
Altadena Community Garden

Join us for nature journaling, led by Drawing Together, at Altadena Community Garden! This program is for children 10+, teens, and adults. Space is limited and registration is required.
 
Nature Journaling helps to build a practice of creating an observational journal. Nature Journaling allows you to explore the creative process of observing and connecting to the natural world around you. You do not need to be an artist or naturalist to begin building these skills. All skill levels welcome.
Sign up for Nature Journaling

Barbie Dance Party

Monday, April 29 • 7-8pm

Main Library Community Room

Did you want to learn the disco dance from the Barbie movie? Well, now is your chance. Instructors Victoria Hernandez and Patti Yankosky from Athletic Garage will be coming to teach the moves from disco scene.
Register for the Barbie Dance Party

Día Family Celebration & Storytime

Tuesday, April 30 • 5-6:30pm

Main Library Community Room

Join us for this free family event that will celebrate the Day of the Child/Day of the Book. In celebration of Dia, we are hosting a bilingual storytime, fun craft, and book giveaway!
All children in attendance will receive a free Spanish or English children’s book. Supplies are limited.

April Events for All Ages

Chess Night, every Monday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Main Library Reading Court

Independent Bookstore Day

Saturday, April 27 • 10am-12pm

Octavia's Bookshelf

Come join the Curiosity Connection & Fab Lab! Make library cards, learn more about the Fab Lab, and get a free keychain! Supplies limited. All ages welcome!

Recycled Materials Drive for Summer Reading

April 1-30 • Main Library

Our summer reading theme is Read, Renew, Repeat. We invite you to join our sustainability efforts by donating any of these recycled materials (plastic mouthwash containers, paper rolls, coffee cans, and large food cans)!
 
These materials will be used for our upcoming summer programs & crafts, and you can drop them off in a box at Main Library from April 1- 30!

Spring into Reading Children's Reading Challege 

April 1-30

Enjoy Petite Library Multi-Language Storytimes This Spring

  • Arabic Storytime, Tuesday, April 2, 5:00-5:30 p.m., Main Library Community Room
  • French Storytime, Saturday, April 27 15, 4:00-4:30 p.m., Main Library Front Lawn

April Events for Children

Children's Seasonal Craft at Bob Lucas, Wednesday, April 3, 4-5 p.m., Bob Lucas Memorial Library, Registration required

Curiosity Hour (for ages 0-5), Saturday, April 6, 2:30-4 p.m., Main Library Community Room

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

Family Storytime at Loma Alta Park
, Wednesday, April 10 & 24, 4-5 p.m., Social Hall at Loma Alta Park 

Pop Ups & Paper Construction, Saturday, April 13, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Main Library Community Room. For families with children in grades K-5. We will explore 3D paper art by experimenting with pop-up design and paper sculptures.

Preschool Storytime & Play
!, every Thursday (except 4/18), 10:30-11:15 a.m., Main Library Front Lawn/Community Room

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

Storytime at Bob Lucas, Tuesday, April 2 & April 9, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Bob Lucas Memorial Library

Storytime at Main Library, every Tuesday starting April 16, 10:30-11:15 a.m., Main Library Front Lawn

Yoga for Children Storytime with Mini Yogis
Saturday, April 6 • 10:30-11:30am
Main Library Community Room 

Register for Yoga Storytime

April Events for Teens

Teen Poetry Club, Saturday, April 13, 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! Poetry Month Display

Friday, April 5 • 4-5:30pm

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 Poetry Month display in the Teen Space! Bring your ideas, book recommendations, and creative vision to this program. We will be participating in "black out poetry" to activate the display!


All teens (ages 13-17) are welcome

April Events for Adults

Altadena Library District Garden Club, Thursday, April 11 & 25, 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, April 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Main Library

 

Adult Craft: Metal Stamped Bookmarks, Wednesday, April 17, 4 to 5 p.m., Main Library Small Meeting Room, Registration required

Adult Craft Hour: Metal Stamped Bookmarks, Friday, April 19, Plant Material
3081 Lincoln Ave, Registration required

Cozy Crafters Club, Friday, April 26, 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 (except 4/9), 6:30-7:30 p.m., Main Library Small Meeting Room. Practice learning, listening and speaking English in a friendly setting. 

Book Clubs

 

No Guilt Book Club

Saturday, April 13

4 to 5 p.m.

Zoom

 

Books: 

Out of Love by Hazel Hayes;
Lost At Sea: Eddie Rickenbacker’s Twenty-Four Days Adrift on the Pacific – a World War ll Tale of Courage and Faith by John Wukovits
Sign up

 

True Crime All The Time Virtual Book Club

Saturday, April 27

4 to 5 p.m.

Zoom

 

Book: My Brother the Killer: A Family Story by Alix Sharkeyr

Sign up

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.

Support Your Altadena Libraries

Altadena Library Foundation strengthens the mission and resources of the libraries through fundraising and advocacy. Learn more at
The Friends of the Altadena Library stimulate public interest, assist with funding to purchase materials, and support cultural and educational programs. Become a member at

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Main Library

600 E. Mariposa Street, Altadena, CA  91001

Phone: (626) 798-0833

Monday & Tuesday 10:00am-8:00pm

Wednesday – Friday 10:00am-6:00pm

Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm

Bob Lucas Memorial Library & Literacy

Center

2659 Lincoln Avenue, Altadena, CA  91001

Phone: (626) 798-8338

Monday – Friday 10:00am-6:00pm

Closed for renovations as of 4/10/24

 

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