A patron who makes my day

All of us who work at libraries have interesting stories and experiences it seems. When I first started working as a librarian, one of the things I did was keep a journal recounting my experiences and observations. Sadly, as I got more busy, the journal went by the wayside....But thanks to Art, we have this blog so I want to start writing about interesting people and events. 

Here's one:  there is an old man who comes into our library, usually about an hour before we close, and always to read the LA Times. But as he passes me on the desk, he either only nods hello or tells me something like, "Your hair looks especially nice today!" That's when I know I'm having a good hair day. It is a small thing, but it makes my day. 

The Dayton Ave. Branch

     Before Cypress Park had it's own library, deposit stations were used. Deposit Stations were first established in 1912 and Loreto Street School was the first one used in Cypress Park and supervised my Miss Jessie Gearhart, the principal of the school. A second deposit station was opened at nearby Aragon Elementary School and was supervised by that schools Principal, Jessie Crandall. The third deposit station was housed in the car barns of the L.A. railway. A widow of a street car conductor was paid to act as it's custodian.

     Through the efforts of Miss Gearhart and other community members a store building was rented at 507 w. Ave 28 just off Dayton Ave. (Dayton Ave. was later changed to Figueroa Ave.) 

The Dayton Ave branch opened it's doors on October 11, 1920. 

  The interior furninshings of the Dayton Ave Branch consisted of one desk for charging, one catalog, three long tables and two short ones, with shelves on both sides, the children's books on one and the adult books on the other.

  Miss Emily Richie, a senior attendant, formerly of San Diego, was in charge of the library the first year, followed by Miss Bessie Markson for one month then Mr. Hubert Frazier who acted as Librarian from Oct. 1921 until August, 1923.

    

  Miss Reba Dwight was first in charge of Children's work at this branch and 9 others. She resigned in 1922 to take a position in Hilo, Hawaii.

  As the circulation numbers for the Dayton Ave. Branch increased in it's 7 year existence the space inside the library did the opposite."S.R.O." or "Standing Room Only" signs were often used and a bigger library was desperately needed.

The Dayton Ave. branch closed it's doors on April 30th, 1927. A new branch would be built a few blocks away and be named the "Richard Henry Dana Branch" to keep with the Los Angeles Public Library's tradition of naming branches after authors who wrote about California.

But that's another story. 

More information on this branch can be found here. 

Xavier Garza turns the Cypress Park Branch into a "Lucha Library"

We're excited to announce  that Xavier Garza will be here at Cypress Park Library on Friday, June 22nd from 10-11am. We'll also have some cool "Lucha Libre" giveaways.  

Xavier Garza was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. He is an author, artist, storyteller and lucha libre aficionado. His stories are all based on his experiences growing upon a small border town.

Arte Publico Press published his first book, "Creepy Creatures and Other Cucuys" in 2004 followed the next year by "Lucha Libre: The Man in the Silver Mask" and quickly became a hit among children and "Lucha Libre" fans alike. "Lucha Libre" won an Honor Book, Americas Award and a STARRED REVIEW from "Criticas" magazine.

Maximillian: The Mystery of the Guardian Angel  is the winner of the 2012 Pura Belpré Author  Honor Book

Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid

This Week At The Cypress Park Branch Library

Monday Presidents' Day 
The library will be closed today.

Tuesday 
3-4pm
Join us for Infant/Toddler story time where Miss Alicia will read stories to the children and we’ll alsobe  making crafts. This free program is for children up to the age of 12. Today we began work on our Childrens area - "Cypressville" transformation in celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday coming up on March 2nd. Check out the pix.

Wednesday
12-1pm
Adults, join us for a beginner's guide to the internet. Patrick will teach you the basics of web browsing, word processing and how to create and access your email account. Bring your questions. Patrick will supply the answers.

4-5pm

Children and families join us and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for our art weekly family art classes. Learn about various artists and learn art through various mediums.

Thursday 

4-5pm

Teens,  join Paula for an hour filled with origami fun.

Friday 

12-1pm

Books comes alive for children when they read with a GAB volunteer. "Grandpa Allen" will be here

Please call the branch for more info on any of the programs we're offering this week. We hope to see you. 

"Cypress Barks"

          We are SO thrilled to be partnering with @AnnaLAASNOC from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services North Central Shelter. She will be here Saturday, March 10th from 11-3pm. She will be handing out spay/neuter information to our community as well as answering any questions you might have about adopting, fostering and caring for a new pet. She will also bring with her several dogs and cats who will be available for adoption on the spot so if you've thought about adopting or have had questions and just haven't made it over to the shelter, this might be for you. 

"Saving one animal may not change the world but surely to that one animal the world will change forever." 

L.A. Animal Services brought many cute and friendly dogs that were ready for adoption.

They also brought plenty of information and free giveaways such as frisbees and chew toys.

They were unable to find a home for this cutie. :(

This friendly dog only wanted a kiss. :)

Sadly this little female named "Paige" didn't get adopted.

L.A. Animal Services also brought with them many of their own volunteers to help them walk the dogs and keep them busy during their stay here.

"The Immigrant Advantage"

The Immigrant Advantage: What We Can Learn from Newcomers to America about Health, Happiness and Hope.

• How to Save: From the Vietnamese "Hui" to the Mexican "Tanda", these "Money Clubs" teach us how easy it can be to save the money we foolishly spend each month.
• How to Mother a Mother: The Mexican "Cuartentena" is a 40 day period where family members "mother a mother" so she can concentrate on bonding with her newborn child.
• How to Court: South Asian assisted marriage shows both old and new customs and how a nice balance can help a young person with what might be the biggest decision of their lives.
• How to Learn: Covers the "Model Minority" and the importance Korean "hagwons", or afterschool study places, can have in a child's academic future.
• How to Shelter: Building important relationships in life begins at home and how better than to live with extended family.
• How to be a Good Neighbor: In a time where everybody seems too busy to stop and shoot the breeze this chapter shows how the bond you make with your neighbors can actually help you live healthier and happier.
• How To Eat: The Vietnamese Monthly Rice helps parents avoid the extra stress of having to cook dinner after a long day at work and allows them to spend that time with family instead.

I've kept this book close to me since I began reading it. The first reason was, I was intrigued from page one and the second reason was, every time I did put it down, it seemed like every body was asking to read it. They gave me a good idea.
I was very lucky to have crossed paths with this book. When I think about every thing going on in the world, I look at this book and all the valuable information it has to offer. This country IS big enough for us all if we can all just learn to "Be A Good Neighbor" we can learn from each other and make this a better place.
I've finished reading the book and I can't think of a better way to share what I've learned than to donate this book to the library I work for. Can you imagine how many people in Los Angeles will benefit from these great customs?
Many of the ideas in the book are ones that my grandparents believed in and with time and passing generations have slipped away in my family. I'm glad to have been able to learn their importance and have begun to pass them onto my kids.
Thank you, Claudia Kolker


About the book: The Immigrant Advantage is a fascinating look into the lives of immigrant enclaves in the United States that we so seldom gain access to, and an inspiring exploration about how these customs can enrich our own lives.

Claudia Kolker

About the author: Claudia Kolker has reported extensively from Mexico and Central America, as well as the Caribbean, Japan, India and Pakistan. A former Los Angeles Times bureau chief and member of the Houston Chronicle editorial board, she has written for The Economist, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, O: The Oprah Magazine, Slate and Salon. She lives in Houston with her family. For The Immigrant Advantage, Kolker visited Korean and Chinese afterschools, West Indian multigenerational households in New Jersey, and Chicago's "Little Village", among others.




This book can be found on our shelves. The call number is 325.1 K81

This Week At Our Library

Monday 3:30-5:30pm
GAB Grandparents And Books
Books come alive for kids when they share the fun with "G.A.B." library volunteers
"Grandma Sara" will be here today.


Tuesday 3-4pm
Join Miss Alicia for Infant/Toddler story time. Parents and guardians are welcome. Arts and crafts always follow story time.

Wednesday 12-1pm
Adults, join Patrick for an hour of basic computer lesson. He'll answer your questions about e-mail, Google and basic web browsing.

Thursday 4-5pm
You think you've got game? We know we do. Teens, Join Paula for an hour of Xbox game playing. We've got several games to choose from. Take your pick. Just don't get played.

Friday 12-1pm
GAB Grandparents And Books
Books come alive for kids when they share the fun with "G.A.B." library volunteers
"Grandpa Allen" will be here today
3-4pm
Resume Workshop
Representatives from the L.A. WorkSource will be here to host a resume workshop and to help prepare you for your next job. This is a free program. 

For more info on any of these programs please feel free to call the branch at 323-224-0039

Strike A "Reading" Pose

     Now unless you've been living under a rock or have had your face buried in a good book, you must have seen the silly poses that have been trending all over the internet lately. The most recent pose is called "Bradying" where people sit on the floor like the Patriots QB Tom Brady. Before that was "Owling" where you perched yourself on a tabletop or anything similar. "Tebowing" came before that and who can forget about "Planking"?
     Well, we want to try something different. We're going to ask you to send us a pic of you reading. That's right. Send us a pic of your self out in public "reading" with or without an actual book and if we like it, we'll post it on our blog. If we get enough submissions we'll post them on our display board in the library. 


Please email all submissions to CypressParkLAPL@gmail.com
Thank You

"Tom Brady Bradying"

"Owling"

Tim Tebow "Tebowing"

"Planking"

Check out our submissions. 

Art is reading "Chicano Visions"

Alicia is reading "The Barking Mouse" by Antonio Sacre

@FoxFlores is reading "Demon in the Mirror" by @SJRivera

Katie is reading "A Game of Thrones' by George R. R. Martin

@FrankEMundo reading his book "The Brubury Tales"

Patrick reading Frommer's Honolulu,

                  Waikiki & Oahu

LA Animal Services "Reading" (upside down)

LA Animal Services "Reading"

LA Animal Services "Reading" 

@sjrivera is reading Sex Crimes by Ronald M. Holmes

@Chinkana83 reading to her son, Joelle

@MexicanWoman "Rape Work" by Patricia Martin

"Working Mom", @Jnnster's view all day. 

@AlphaPerra reading Lost in America: A Dead End Journey by  Colby Buzzell

@shilohgirl_mop is reading Girl's Life magazine. 

@___Bex reading at The L.A. Zoo

They're reading "Fire Engines Up Close" at Fire Station #44

They're reading "Fire Engines Up Close" at Fire Station #44  

@ubuntnerdgrl is reading "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley 

@Lisasonrisa is reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 

Paula is reading "11/22/63" by Stephen King

@MiVidaVixen is reading "Loose Woman" by Sandra Cisneros

@BlueSteffens is reading Breaking Dawn by  Stephenie Meyer

@CivicRafa is reading  "The Decline of the Californios" by Leonard Pitt

@Maryg_hd75 (right) and her younger sister, Sarah strike a reading pose with the books they're currently reading. 

@Pocho_Cholo is reading about David Alfaro Siqueiros

Nicole is reading "Building Site Fun" to her Godson

@Donnaphilia is reading "Invisible Monsters" by Chuck Palahnuik  

@YoungBreezee is reading "Demon in the Mirror" by @SJRivera

22 month old Josiah Blu is "reading" The Jungle Book 

Bernard Leon reading J.S. Bach's Two Part Inventions courtesy of @NMSMusicLA

@AyDorene is reading "Kissing the Virgin's Mouth:A Novel" by  Donna M. Gershten

Judy likes to wear her "Lorax" hat when she reads "El Lorax" by Dr. Seuss

@mezacan is reading "Firedance" by @MsSallyWCarter

 @BrazenlyVirile is reading  'All God's Children' by Fox Butterfield.  

@La_Vaga_Tweets ie reading "Your Door To Arabia" by Jeri Elliot (w/ the Red Sea behind her)

@Xicano007 going through his personal @aztlanreads  library 

@Almalania is reading "Advancing Health Literacy: A Framework for Understanding and Action" by Christina  Zarcadoolas

@LibrarySunshine is reading "The Organized Life"
by Stephanie Denton

@GinaRuiz is reading "Latinos in Lotusland" by  Daniel A. Olivas

@sbauti is reading "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

@Cynthiab79 is reading "It's a Book"  by Lane Smith

@vivalacholita's 12 month old son, Valentino St. Pierre is reading his favorite "Yo Gabba Gabba" book. 

@SarahSmile220 is reading "Falling Up" by Shel Silverstein

Diane, a librarian for the @LAPubliclibrary deciding which books to purchase. 

@deadlee2213 reading SAL MINEO, A Biography by Michael Gregg Michaud

@TinyLibrarian reading some "One Fish, Two Fish, Re(a)d Fish, Blue Fish!!!" Dr. Seuss.

Author, @RosieMolinary reading, "The Lion and The Mouse on Christmas Morning" with her son.

Ms. Diem Fernandez getting ready to read "Lupe Vargas and her Super Best Friend" by Amy Costales

@LaloAlcaraz reading "Latino USA: A Cartoon History by Ilan Stavans and well, @LaloAlcaraz

Imani with the @LibraryFoundLA showing us his top pick for the  #StayHomeReadBall

Rogelio from "La Abeja" restaurant in Cypress Park reading about the Pontiac G.T.O.

@MsSallyWCarter is reading ATLAS by Benjamin R. Smith

@MsSallyWCarter 's daughter, Jordan reading "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Colllins

" I can't seem to find a single book to #read" (sent in by @sadiesuede)

"Shhhhhh. I'm #Reading... with style." (sent in by @sadiesuede)

@Efrain_Nieves sent in this pic of his son #reading about Elmo

Thank you to @MzElma for showing us how they Strike a Reading Pose in her house.

@ElizaChaidez showing us how she Strikes a #Reading Pose. Awesome!

@Jessicahh21 is reading "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Check out this pic of @rscspokenword reading about Bigfoot. It looks exciting.

Father and Son  reading time in the Sanchez house calls for some Star Wars. Thanks, @rscspokenword

"Éste no es mi perrito/That's not my puppy" by Fiona Watt must be a scary book. Thank you @rscspokenword  

Reading in the Sanchez really is a family affair. Thanks, @rscspokenword

Looks like @ninjoblio is really enjoying Stephen King's "The Wind Through The Keyhole". Also, thanks,  @FrootJoos

@PatyLongLegs is reading Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman

@LaLatinaLoquita is reading "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E. L. James

@DavidBeltran says, "My four year old wants me to read him Octavio Paz. My heart just melted."

@Wil_Dog reading "Narcocorrido: A Journey into the Music of Drugs, Guns and Guerillas" by Elijah Wald

@CurvyEscapade is reading "Amerikkkan Stories" by @SJRivera 

@VinnyCoop reading a piece he wrote called "In Memoriam" at San Antonio's Luminaria event.

@JuanOfWords is reading "The Immigrant Advantage" by Claudia Kolker. Check out our review on this book here.

@erikveenhuis is reading "Outlaw: The Collected Works Of Miguel Piñero"

Magda is reading "The Earthquake Machine" by Pauline Lowry

Magda's daughter, Xochitl, strikes a reading pose with one of her favorite books.

@PauleyRene reading one of her favorite kid's books, "Leo the Late Bloomer" by Robert Kraus

@Holding_Aces' daughter, Indiana, learning the "Punk Alphabet" from The Love Police

There's no fun in the sun without a good book. Melinda's reading Mocking Jay by  Suzanne Collins.

 Raul reads to his nephew and son, Adventures of Max the Minnow by William Boniface

Antonio, son of the @LibroTraficante, is reading "CHICANO" by F. Arturo Rosales

Caine Monroy of www.cainesarcade.com is reading his Arcade sign.

Visit Caine’s Arcade (located inside Smart Parts Aftermarket)

538 N. Mission Rd

Boyle Heights, CA 90033

Check out how @RayRickyRivera, The Indie Mogul, strikes a reading pose. 

@ArtemisRetreats's children looking for only the most interesting books to purchase.

@MaryPopins94 striking a reading pose with Green Eggs and Ham

@MissMonicaLoves reading "It Calls You Back" by Luis J. Rodriguez

Our Instagram Librarian friend, @KatONineTales strikes a pose with "Knits For Nerds" by Toni Carr

“Special thanks to @CheechMarin for "Striking a #Reading Pose". Buy his new book, "Chicanitas".”

93.5 KDAY's very own, @DJBrandiGarcia is reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

@Atxtrina reading Tina Fey's "Bossypants". Her book marks means she's serious about reading. :)

Check out @AimeeJosellia reading "Reef Life" by Andrea Ferrari at the Baldwin Hills library. :) 

When he's not packing them in at our library, @GustavoArellano's reading his book, "Taco USA"

@onetwowe and her husband, @buhlgreg, enjoy reading in their front yard. :)

Councilmember, @JoseHuizar, is reading "Twilight of The Elites" by Christopher Hayes

Check out @Luchita_Libre reading Don Miguel Ruiz' "The Mastery Of Love".

@El_Jello sent us a pic of both his daughters striking a reading pose. We love it! 

@Dianagyoza sparking the young minds of tomorrow's leaders. Awesome!

How did @Jazmin_Ortega find these "Secret Stairs"? With the help of @MisterFleming's book, of course.

@MarisaRonstadtm and @ChrisMendoza23 each struck a reading pose while at the beach. Twice as cool!! 

Comedian, Paul Rodriguez, is reading "Free for All" by Don Borchert and it's a library book too. :) 

@PocketOfGreen sent in a picture of her stepmom, Ysied, and her nephew, Orion.

Young Adult author, @melissa_marr, is reading "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman.

Author, Xavier Garza and his son, Vincent, are reading "Lucha Libre:The Man in the Silver Mask" 

@ThinMint23 is reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

@ValleyDoll is reading "Women & Fiction: Short Stories by and About Women" by Susan Cahill

YA author @nealshusterman reads his upcoming book "UnWholly".

YA author @SJMaas reading her book "Throne of Glass".

Graphic Novelist Nathan Hale 

Gary Solomon reads his book "Why Is Brian So Fat"

YA Author @Marissa_Meyer reads her book "Cinder".

@Sherman_Alexie reads his book "Blasphemy".

Author @RutaSepetys reads her book Out of the Easy

 Ya author @LBardugo reads her book Shadow and Bone

YA author @BrianFarrey reads his book "With or Without You".

YA author @PaoloBacigalupi reads his new book "The Drowned Cities".

  @TitusNation cracks himself up reading the contents of his "Get a Real Job, Numbnuts" DVD box set.

@XicanaNovelera is reading "Imagining Los Angeles: A City in Fiction" by David Fine. 

Baby Giovanni reading about his favorite animals, "Doggies" by Sandra Boynton. 

Reading is a family affair at @Marisaronstadtm's house. Today's book is "Knuffle Bunny" by Mo Willems

@atxtrina sent in this pic of her son's latest favorite book. 

@Moenyka sent in this pic of Jude reading "Where's Spot" by Erik Hill

Aubrey's reading  "I Can Be A  Real Boy" by

Guido van Genechten via @Moenyka

@Spolanco sent in this pic of her son reading "Dinasours in 3D"

@MexicanWoman sent in this pic of her nieces, GG (left) and Azul

Our Instagram friend, @mscandy10, is reading America between Good and Evil by Frank Peto

Author, Sandra Cisneros, reading her new book,  Have you seen Marie?

@marisaronstadtm and @chrismendoza23's daughter, Amaya, chooses "Skippy Jon Jones" by Judy Schachner for storytime.

Ann Stampler is reading "For What It's Worth" by Janet Tashjian.

Janet Tashjian is reading "Where It Began by @AnnStampler.

Councilman Ed Reyes reading "Reclaiming History "by Vincent Bugliosi at our Circulation desk. 

@NeilHimself is reading "The Grimm Tales" by Philip Pullman

L.A. City Librarian, John Szabo, is reading "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise.