Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

Memorial Library Celebrates LAPL’s Big Read – “Fahrenheit 451”

bigread

Each year, the Los Angeles Public Library chooses a book for its “Big Read,” a citywide literary event that “encourages communities to rediscover the joy of reading by selecting one annual work of literature to read citywide and on which to focus cultural events and activities.” The program is conducted by the National Endowment of the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

bradbury451This year, Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” is the book chosen by LAPL for the Big Read, with a number of book- and fire-themed events at both the Central Library and branch libraries around the city.

Today, Friday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., temperatures heat up at our own Memorial Library, which had close connections to the book’s late author.  (Bradbury lived in the neighborhood when he was young, and attended Los Angeles High School, directly across the street from the library.)

Memorial Branch librarian Frances Mendelsohn has created a full program of events for today’s celebration, in both the library and the park where it’s located.  There will be continuous showings of the “Fahreheit 451” movie, a “Read-a-Thon” of the “Fahrenheit 451” novel by L.A. High students (each student will read two pages aloud), real LAFD fire engines, Ray Bradbury memoribilia, and much, more…including some nice hot, chili from Yuca’s Catering.  The Friends of Memorial Library’s used book sale, usually open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, will be open today as well.

Other scheduled activities and appearances include:

  • Councilmember David Ryu District #4
  • Ray Bradbury Retrospective – L.A.H.S. Alumni
  • Arts & Crafts – Fahrenheit 451 Bookmaking
  • Interactive display – “Typewriters: Keys to Success” (manual typewriters)
  • Live storytelling by Karen Golden
  • Mexican Cultural Institute of Los Angeles Celebration of Fahrenheit 451
  • Fahrenheit 451 Coloring Art (for both kids and adults!)
  • First 5 L.A. literacy organization
  • Leimert Park Summer Book Fair information

All events are free and open to the public…of all ages.  It’s a great opportunity to get acquainted with this iconic book…or to refresh your memories of it as an old favorite.  See the library’s event flier for more information.

Memorial Branch Library
4625 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019

 

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Elizabeth Fuller
Elizabeth Fuller
Elizabeth Fuller was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN but has lived in LA since 1991 - with deep roots in both the Sycamore Square and West Adams Heights-Sugar Hill neighborhoods. She spent 10 years with the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, volunteers at Wilshire Crest Elementary School, and has been writing for the Buzz since 2015.

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