Maria Carrillo

Special Collections Research Appointment

In order to serve you in a safe and efficient manner, the Heritage Room has shifted to an appointment only system effective September 9, 2020. Researchers are asked to provide information about their research topic and list specific titles they are interested in accessing when scheduling an appointment. Please review the Library’s catalog to identify titles and shelf numbers to include in your request. All researchers are required to provide their own writing materials; pens are not allowed. No more than two persons are allowed per research appointment.

In accordance with Smiley Library’s COVID-19 reopening procedures, research visits are limited to one hour and researchers are required to wear face coverings at all times during their visit. Hand sanitizer is available for all Heritage Room visitors to use upon entry. Any person feeling unwell or exhibiting signs of illness is asked to remain at home. All surfaces will be sanitized between research visits.

Donations to the Archives, Museum of Redlands, and Lincoln Memorial Shrine will also be accepted with an appointment. Contact Special Collections staff for further information.

Appointments are available during the new hours of operation: Tuesday 2-5pm, Wednesday-Thursday 1-5pm, and Friday-Saturday 1-4pm. To schedule an appointment, please submit a request on our online portal, call (909)798-7632, or email heritage@akspl.org. Appointments are only finalized when confirmed by Special Collections staff.

The Woman’s Vote: A Century of Suffrage

Celebrate the centennial of the 19th Amendment by exploring a new virtual exhibit about the fight to enfranchise women in the United States. “The Woman’s Vote: A Century of Suffrage” discusses the efforts of women in city of Redlands, state of California, and across the country to win the right to vote. The long struggle culminated in the passage of the 19th Amendment a century ago.

See the exhibit here or visit the Special Collections page.

Resilient Redlands Webinar Series

If you crave opportunities to learn during your time at home, partake in the “Resilient Redlands” webinar series that will focus on topics related to Redlands history and the collections of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine. Webinars will take place at 11am on the second and fourth Saturday of each month and will be led by the staff of A.K. Smiley Public Library and Lincoln Memorial Shrine. Please check each week to register for the upcoming presentation.

Upcoming Webinars

October 24 – “The Smiley Library Children’s Room Centennial: The Couple Behind the Gift” Register Today!

Past Webinars

April 25 – “Intro to Redlands History”

May 2 – “From the Shrine’s Collections: Emancipation and Lincoln’s Letter to James Conkling”

May 9 – “The Great Crusade: Reflections on the 75th Anniversary of the End of World War II in Europe”

May 16 – “All Aboard for Redlands: How the Railroad Shaped Our Town”

May 23 – “From the Shrine’s Collections: The U.S. Sanitary Commission”

May 30 – “Redlands History in Motion: The Home Movie Preservation Project”

June 6 – “Reflections on D-Day and the Normandy Campaign”

June 13 – “From the Shrine’s Collections: Colonel Chapin and the 21st Connecticut Infantry”

June 27– “California Sunshine: Citrus Label Art of the Redlands District”

July 11 – “Grant’s First Great Victory: The Campaign for Forts Henry & Donelson”

July 25 – “Let’s Take a Walk Around the Block: A Brief Survey of Architecture in Redlands”

August 8 – “Hiroshima-Nagasaki: Reflections on the 75th Anniversary”

September 12 –“Booze, Brews, and Views: Redlands’s Uneasy Relationship with Spiritous Beverage”

September 26 – “Warriors & Patriots: Women of the Civil War”

October 10 – “Pure Gold Archives”

Watch previous webinars on Smiley Library’s Facebook page and the Special Collections YouTube channel.

Zoom Backgrounds

As an added bonus, Smiley Library is offering historic views of Redlands as virtual backgrounds for your Zoom meetings. Find them here.

Resilient Redlands: COVID-19 and Our Town

Photo by Steven Robles — Submitted to “Resilient Redlands: COVID-19 and Our Town”

As we navigate through these challenging times, we are reminded that we are living through an historic moment that will be analyzed by generations to come. The resilient spirit of the Redlands community has been apparent through acts of selflessness and generosity exhibited by people throughout the pandemic.

A.K. Smiley Public Library is embarking on a new project to document life in Redlands during the outbreak. Led by the Library’s Division of Special Collections, “Resilient Redlands: COVID-19 and Our Town” invites the Redlands community to share their experiences through photographs, stories, poetry, works of art, or anything that can be shared electronically that documents life during COVID-19. Your submissions will become part of the Library’s COVID-19 remembrance collection.

Share your experiences through the new “Resilient Redlands” portal that allows you to upload photographs, documents, and answer a few questions about adjusting to life in this time of uncertainty. If email is your preference, please send these items to the Heritage Room at heritage@akspl.org. To learn more or participate in this community effort, click here. In-person donations can be accepted by appointment only.

If you have any questions, please contact the Heritage Room at heritage@akspl.org or (909)798-7632.

To be rescheduled – Free Movie on March 21st

In response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s announcement regarding mass gatherings, A.K. Smiley Public Library has postponed all scheduled meetings and events through the end of the month, including the upcoming screening of L.A. Confidential on March 21st. We appreciate your patience as we work to ensure the health and safety of our community. Look for L.A. Confidential on the 2020-2021 roster of “Southern California in Film.”

Thank you.