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!

News + Events

SoCal in Film 2025 Season

Decorative title slide for SoCal in Film Free Movie Series, third Saturday of the month in the Contemporary Club.

 

Are you familiar with A.K. Smiley Public Library’s Southern California in Film series? Started in 2019, the series celebrates Southern California’s contributions to cinema by bringing together films where the region’s striking beauty and complex history come to life. The new roster of movies selected for 2025 include comedy classics and masterpieces from Hollywood’s Golden Age to the recent past that could only have been made in SoCal!

Don’t miss the following screenings:

Films

JANUARY 18
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Rated R
FEBRUARY 15
Car Wash (1976)
Rated PG
MARCH 15
L.A. Story (1991)
Rated PG-13
APRIL 19
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Rated R
MAY 17
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Rated PG-13
JUNE 21
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Not Rated
SEPTEMBER 20
Mildred Pierce (1945)
Not Rated
OCTOBER 18
The Day of the Locust (1975)
Rated R
NOVEMBER 15
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Rated R
DECEMBER 20
Bugsy (1991)
Rated R
Films will be screened at 2pm in the Contemporary Club on the third Saturday of the month. Screenings are free and open to the public. Not all films are suitable for all audiences.
No admission is charged for film screenings, thanks to the generous contributions of donors to the Library. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.  For more information, call (909) 798-7632.

Teen Movie Matinee: Little Women…Free!

Teen Movie Matinee: Little Women…Free!
You definitely don’t have to be a little woman to enjoy the movie “Little Women”…all teens are welcome! If you intend to make your own way in the world, join us! Snacks will be provided, of course…we would never watch a movie with our stomachs growling. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Little Women (PG)
Run Time: 2 hour 15 minutes
Saturday, December 7, 2024
2-4:15pm
The Assembly Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library
125 W. Vine St. Redlands
Ages 13-19
FREE!
Snacks provided! 🙂
(Registration is encouraged so we know how many snacks to buy!)
Register here!

Holiday Sing Along on December 14

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine will celebrate the holiday season with a Holiday Sing Along featuring the Camp Carleton Band on Saturday, December 14 at 11am in Smiley Park. From timeless classics like “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night”, to songs that have dropped out of popular use, come, sing, and learn about the holiday music of the Civil War.

The holidays were a trying time during the American Civil War.  Soldiers separated from families, the loss of loved ones, and the horrors of war were at the forefront of people’s minds.  Music and thoughts of the holidays provided a respite from the harsh realities around them and served as a boost to the morale of Americans on both sides of the conflict. Several of today’s beloved carols and hymns have their origins during the war, while others were passed down through generations by different cultures.

The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. This event draws a large crowd each year, so early arrival is strongly recommended. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Assembly Room of A.K. Smiley Public Library. For more information, please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org. Program subject to change.

Honoring Veterans Day

"Over There" WWI illustrationDue to scheduling conflicts, A.K. Smiley Public Library’s program commemorating Veterans Day has changed. Join us on Saturday, November 9 at 11am in the Assembly Room and on Zoom with a presentation by Smiley Library Director Don McCue. “Over There: Redlands Men in France,” will focus on Redlanders who served during World War I. From Cantigny and Belleau Wood to St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne, men from Redlands participated in all of America’s great 1918 battles and 40 would make the ultimate sacrifice.

This event is free and open to the public. To watch from home, please select the following link on the day of the program:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88067287856. Registration is not required.

A.K. Smiley Public Library is located at 125 W. Vine Street in Redlands. If you have any questions, please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 and heritage@akspl.org. Program subject to change.

About the Presenter…

Since 2013, Don McCue has been the director of A.K. Smiley Public Library. For 26 years prior to that, he was the library’s Archivist and Head of Special Collections, including serving as Curator of the Library’s Lincoln Memorial Shrine. In that role, he honed his interest in military history and America’s veterans. Although not a veteran himself, Don’s interest began when asking his father, Raymond McCue, about his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Teen Clay Hand Building Workshop

 

Teen Clay Hand Building Workshop with Redlands Pottery Project
Teen makers, come make stuff with us!
Redlands Pottery Project will be here to teach a clay hand building workshop! Space is limited and registration is required, so don’t hesitate to sign up below if you’re interested. 🙂
Clay Hand Building Workshop with Redlands Pottery Project
Ages 13-19
Saturday, November 16
2-4pm
The Assembly Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library
FREE!
Click here to register!