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

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.

 

Free Movie on February 15

A.K. Smiley Public Library’s “Southern California in Film” series continues on Saturday, February 15th at 2pm with a screening of Dragnet at the Contemporary Club.

An homage to the long-running television series of the same name, Dragnet parodies the crime drama with a new Sergeant Joe Friday (Dan Aykroyd) and his partner, Streebek (Tom Hank) as they investigate a series of murders. The movie was filmed throughout Los Angeles, including the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, and Inglewood Park Cemetery.

Registration is requested, but not required. No admission is charged for film screenings, thanks to the generous contributions of donors to the Library.  The Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka Street. For more information or to see schedule updates, visit www.akspl.org or call (909) 798-7632.

Don’t Miss the Lincoln Dinner

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine will honor Abraham Lincoln at the 88th annual Watchorn Lincoln Dinner on Wednesday, February 12 at 6:30pm in University of Redlands’s Orton Center. Dr. Douglas Egerton of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York will deliver a keynote address “The Experiment Has Begun: Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln and Black Troops”.

Attendance to the Lincoln Dinner is $49 for supporters of the Lincoln Memorial Association who give in January 2019, and $59 for the general public. Advanced reservations are required and will remain open until February 5, or until sold out, whichever comes first. For reservations or for more information, please call (909)798-7632 or email heritage@akspl.org.

Lincoln Shrine Open House

Join us at the 48th annual Lincoln Shrine Open House on Saturday, February 8th from 11am to 3pm at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine and Smiley Park. The day will feature live music, Civil War reenactors, and new exhibits. The event is free and open to the public. You won’t want to miss it!

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine is a part of the division of Special Collections of A.K. Smiley Public Library and is the only museum and research center in the west focusing solely on Lincoln and the American Civil War. The museum is located at 125 W. Vine Street in Redlands. Admission is free. For further information, please call 909-798-7632 or visit www.lincolnshrine.org.