Known as "the Jewel of Central Avenue," the Dunbar Hotel holds a special place in Los Angeles history as the first hotel built expressly by and for Black people. While the hotel is most famous for housing greats such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, W.E.B. DuBois, and Duke Ellington, the Angelenos behind its construction, John A. Somerville and Vada Watson Somerville, have a...
LAPL Blog
Latest Posts
Pages
21st Century Kids: Travel Through Time
The fantasy of manipulating time is a theme in many books for kids. It would be amazing to travel back in time and make different decisions that impact the future. This time travel journey is possible through books, as creative authors can transport a reader to the past, present and future.
Children’s Picture Books Celebrating the Inspiration of Martin Luther King Jr.
There are plenty of biographies about Martin Luther King Jr. written for children, and more are published every year. But sometimes parents, caregivers, and teachers might want to focus less on dates and places, and more on the inspiration Dr.
Read it First: African American Heritage and History
Celebrated nationwide every February, African American History Month looks to honor African American heritage, history, culture and identity.
Interview With an Author: C.S. Malerich
C.S. Malerich is the author of the novel Fire & Locket. In addition to writing, she has taught mythology to undergrads at the University of Maryland and pursued interests in folklore, cultural studies, and public health, sometimes all at once.
Happy Birthday, Alice Cooper!
When he’s not onstage, shock-rock legend Alice Cooper, 73, is pretty mellow these days. He lives in Phoenix and plays a lot of golf, which he credits with helping him get and stay sober decades ago without the need of a 12-step program.
Art Meets Advertising in 1920s Los Angeles
Tiffney Sanford, Librarian, North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Regional Branch Library, Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Stand aside muffler men! Fresh milk from a Guernsey cow, high octane fuel fit for an Indy 500 winner, and steak dinners from a stockade-themed eatery are just a few of the products that early-twentieth-century sculptors helped sell to Angelenos.
Interview With Award Winning Journalist and Author Adrienne Bankert
Award winning journalist and author Adrienne Bankert has released her first book. You might recognize her from her reports on ABC News’ platforms, such as Good Morning America, World News Tonight, Nightline and ABC News Live. Ms.
21st Century Kids: Enjoy Winter Reads
The winter season can be challenging to endure. For some, extreme weather conditions prevent daily outside activities, and time inside the house is increased. For me, winter is a time to seek warmth and enjoy the crisper air inherent in the season.
Langston Hughes, Kevin Young and African American Poetry
African American History Month begins today; on February 1 we also celebrate the birthday of Langston Hughes, one of the most powerful voices in American poetry.