A.K. Smiley Public Library

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

Established in 1894, A.K. Smiley Public Library has served generations of patrons in the City of Redlands and beyond. The only “admission fee” is curiosity. Lifelong learning is at the center of activity in the beautiful, historic building and attractive grounds!

Maria Carrillo

SoCal in Film Series Returns!

A.K. Smiley Public Library’s “Southern California in Film” series returns with a new roster of movies! In recognition of Southern California’s contributions to cinema, this free film series is dedicated to celebrating the region’s undeniable contribution to the entertainment industry. Join us for the following screenings:

JANUARY 21
Palm Springs Weekend (1963) – Not Rated

FEBRUARY 18
Love & Basketball (2000) – Rated PG

MARCH 18
The Rocketeer (1991) – Rated PG

APRIL 15
Clueless (1995) – Rated PG-13 – Register Now!

MAY 13
Beach Party (1963) – Not Rated

JUNE 17
Zoot Suit (1981) – Rated R

SEPTEMBER 16
Double Indemnity (1944) – Not Rated

OCTOBER 21
Ed Wood (1994) – Rated R

NOVEMBER 18
Chinatown (1974) – Rated R

DECEMBER 16
La La Land (2016) – Rated PG-13

Films will be screened at 2pm in the Contemporary Club. Screenings are free and open to the public. Registration will open one week prior to screening date. Registration is requested, but not required. Not all films are suitable for all audiences.

No admission is charged for screenings, thanks to the generous contributions of donors to the Library. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.  For more information or for schedule updates, call (909) 798-7632 or visit the event page.

Patron Saints’ Day

At A.K. Smiley Public Library, March 17 means more than St. Patrick’s Day- it’s Patron Saints’ Day, the birthday of Redlands’s best-known benefactors, Albert and Alfred Smiley!

Born in Maine in 1828, identical twins Albert and Alfred were successful educators before embarking upon careers as resort owners in New York state in the decades that followed the Civil War. Discovering Redlands in 1889, the pair went on to create a public botanical oasis known as Canyon Crest Park in the hills southwest of Redlands and were involved in many philanthropic projects in the city. Their immeasurable impact is best exemplified by A.K. Smiley Public Library, which is named for Albert, but would not have been possible without the contributions of both brothers.

Now, on their 195th birthday, Director Emeritus Larry Burgess and Archivist Nathan Gonzales honor the Smileys and their gifts to the city with a special Patron Saints’ Day presentation on Friday, March 17 at 2pm in the Contemporary Club or on Zoom.

This event is free and open to the public. The Contemporary Club is located at 173 S. Eureka Street. If you have any questions, please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632.

Honor César Chávez and Dolores Huerta

Join Common Vision Coalition, A.K. Smiley Public Library, and A People’s History of the Inland Empire on Saturday, April 1st at 10am for a commemoration of the work of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta at the Redlands Senior Center.

A celebration of Chávez and Huerta’s dedication to the rights of farm workers, the program will include presentations from local historians and an opportunity for community participation. Audrey Maier, a representative from A People’s History of the Inland Empire, will share her research on local citrus labor organizing during the 1930s. Smiley Library Special Collections Manager Maria Carrillo Colato will discuss Chávez and Huerta’s work, while Archivist Nathan Gonzales will focus on their influence on local citrus workers.

Community members are encouraged to bring photos and share their family history for the ongoing project to document the history of North Redlands. Time will be set aside for personal storytelling.

The event is free and open to the public. The Redlands Senior Center is located at 111 W. Lugonia St. in Redlands. A continental breakfast will be provided while supplies last. For more information, contact Maria Whitaker Saucedo of the Common Vision Coalition at (951) 533-4438 or via email at redcvc2010@gmail.com.

Celebrate Women’s History Month

In celebration of Women’s History Month, A.K. Smiley Public Library welcomes historian Ann Deegan on Saturday, March 11th at 2pm in the Assembly Room or on Zoom (Passcode: 758185).

Dr. Deegan’s program, “Head to Toe and Skin Out: Women’s Dress Through Photography During the American Civil War”, will analyze original Civil War-era photographs and fashion illustrations to reveal what influenced dress ranging from economics and war, to technology and fashion trendsetters. She will delve into why clothing of that era looks so different from today and what influenced women to wear strange and uncomfortable items such as hoop skirts.

In addition to a career in academia and museums, Dr. Deegan’s numerous publications in professional and public journals include co-authoring the books Early Redlands and Redlands in World War I.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested, but not required. For access on Zoom, use passcode 758785. Contact the Heritage Room at (909) 798-7632 for additional information.

Honor Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, A.K. Smiley Public Library will welcome Professor Kashaunda Harris on Saturday, February 18 at 11am in the Assembly Room. Her program, From Struggle to Strength – American History of Black Resistance, will honor the 2023 Black History Month theme of Black Resistance, by discussing the struggle of African Americans who resisted historic oppression, injustice and inequity. This journey through American history will also highlight several strengths and celebrations of triumph that resulted from acts of resistance. The presentation will open with a libation ceremony, a ritual of pouring a liquid to call on the spirits of ancestors during milestone events. All are welcome.

A Counselor for Extended Opportunity Programs & Services and Faculty Lead of Professional Development at Crafton Hills College, Professor Harris focuses on a student-centered approach to learning, institutional equity, and dynamic programming for the campus community. She is a two-time “Faculty of the Year” recipient voted for by both classified and academic senates at Crafton Hills College. She has held several local, regional, and state leadership positions, including on the governing board of the California Counseling Association and as President of the Black Caucus.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632.