Library Guide: Summer Activities in Hollywood You Should Know

There are plenty of free amenities and activities going on at the library for Hollywood residents this summer.

For teens, there is a Los Angeles library-wide program called “Own the Night,” a teen reading club, where teens can earn prizes for the number of books they read and activities that they complete.

Teens who read 10 hours this summer earn credit for a free book. Participants will need to pick up a game board at their local library to keep track. Teens can also enter a drawing for an iPad.

There are many library-specific programs ongoing in various Hollywood branches as well:

Teen Tuesdays

The library hosts “Teen Tuesdays” at 4 p.m.

“We usually do some kind of craft activity,” said Kelly Wallace, the Young Adult Librarian at the Goldwyn Hollywood Branch. “Last week, we made shrinky dinks, sometimes we watch anime. We also are planning to make dream journals and duct tape wallets this summer. We will also do face-p ainting on July 24.”

Although the activities are recommended for children ages 11-18, Wallace said a lot of people come with their siblings, so she tries to make the activities something that anyone can do.

Saturday Afternoon Cartoons

A Cartoon Show is presented once a month on Saturdays, 2-3:30 p.m. by Tom Safer, who Wallace calls a “cartoon-buff.”

“He’s a guy that’s mad for animation,” Wallace said, “He volunteers to come and show classical cartoons, and sometimes, especially in the summer he’ll show contemporary ones too.”  

Previously he has shown classic Walter Lantz cartoons, The Three Stooges, the original 101 Dalmatians, in addition to favorites like Hoppity goes to Town.

Classic Film Screenings

The library hosts an “Old Time Picture Show” where a surprise classic Hollywood film is screened every couple of weeks. The next screening is scheduled for July 25 at 2 p.m.

Screenwriting Help

As a special event, the library will host “Screenwriting in the Land of Oz” with author Richard Krevolin, who will discuss how to write for Hollywood on Saturday (July 14) at 1 p.m.

Unique Collections

The  library has a unique Special Collections section that hosts a selection rare and out-of-print manuscripts, newspapers, film posters and Hollywood history, available to researchers by appointment-only.

In addition, the library offers the largest play collection outside of Central Library, accent CDs for actors looking to learn different accents, a large movie collection which offers both popular films, in addition to classic and foreign films, and an extensive fiction section.

Teen Thursdays

Teens can join the library to participate in a variety of activities Thursdays at 4 p.m.

This week the activity will be a sword fighting demonstration, put on by Tigertainment.

“They are actors and actresses in the television industry and they know the moves and are historically accurate with them,” Rice said. “I saw them perform years ago at the Central Library and they were really great.”

Upcoming events for teens are hndpainting a gift bag on Thursday (July 12),  making "shrinky dinks" on July 26 and teens can decorate a tote bag for the finale of the program on Aug. 9.

Adult Book Club

For adults there is also a book club that meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 1 p.m. This month, the club will be discussing the book, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson.

Writing Clubs

Two writing clubs meet at the library, the and the Hollywood Writing Group.

The Blue Coyote is led by Jill Schary Robinson, author of Bed/Time/Story, Perdido and With a Cast of Thousands. A workshop for “serious and seriously aspiring” writers that meets every Thursday from 12:30-2 p.m.

The Hollywood Writing Group meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 1- 4 p.m. and is for people who are looking to practice their writing skills and socialize with other writers.  

Unique Collections

For readers interested in specific collections, the Will & Ariel Durant Library Branch specializes in Russian literature with one of the largest selection of Russian works outside of the Central Branch. It also carries a selection of books on the film industry, for actresses, actors, and people interested in writing for television or movies. It also has a piano available for use for patrons of the library.

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