News + Events

 

A.K. Smiley Public Library in collaboration with The Spinet to host an evening of music with Myles Prower Davis

Join musician Myles Prower Davis for an evening of jazz and classical music featuring various instruments.

This event will be held on Tuesday, November 16 at 7:30 pm, at the Contemporary Club.

Myles Prower Davis is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and entertainer based in Los Angeles. He received his earliest musical training through the Redlands Unified School District, attending Arroyo Verde Elementary, Clement Middle School, and Redlands East Valley High School. Myles gained more experience taking lessons and attending workshops at the University of Redlands Watchorn Hall. He was also a member of various jazz ensembles led by Tina Caldwell and was chosen to be a member of honor bands across the state of California. Attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA he graduated with a focus on composition and clarinet performance. Since then, Myles has worked as a featured performer in popular musical groups at The Disneyland Resort, including the Disneyland Band and The Pixarmonic Orchestra. His composition and arrangement credits include music for SeaWorld San Diego, The Fresh Rhythm Big Band, LALA Brass, and more. He also was invited to join the cinematic music licensing company Audiomachine in 2019, through whom he has a multitude of releases.As an artist, Myles — or MylesProwr — bridges the gap between classical and jazz traditions and a modern edge.

This event is free and open to everyone. If you are not vaccinated, please wear a face mask.

 

It’s time for the BIG LIBRARY READ with the Teen Underground at the A.K. Smiley Public Library!

Teens are invited to join the Big Library Read — a global eBook Club offered through the Libby/OverDrive App! Get two weeks of unlimited virtual access to the page-turning YA thriller “Five Total Strangers” with your A.K. Smiley Public Library Card.

The Big Library Read
Monday, November 1 through Monday, November 15, 2021
This is virtual! Read the book using the Libby/OverDrive App, your library card number, and your digital device of choice.

More information about Libby/OverDrive is available at www.akspl.org/teens

Join the conversation on Instagram at #akspl_teen

 

The A.K. Smiley Library is hosting a celebration of Día de los Muertos, featuring ofrendas (altars) created by local community organizations and speeches by prominent members of the community. Learn about the history, meaning, and art of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), and how various cultures honor the deceased during this meaningful time.  More information can be found on our flyer.

Monday, November 1, 3:00 – 8:30pm
Doors open at 3:00pm for viewing of ofrendas
Speeches and discussion 6:30pm
The Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St., Redlands, CA 92373

FREE and open to the public!

 

 

 

The American Library Aassociation’s Office for Intellectual Freedom tracks attempts to ban or restrict access to books. More than 273 titles were challenged or banned in 2020, with increasing demands to remove books that address racism and racial justice or those that shared the stories of Black, Indigenous, or people of color. As with previous years, LGBTQ+ content also dominated the list.

1. Georgeby Alex Gino. Challenged, banned, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, conflicting with a religious viewpoint, and not reflecting “the values of our community.”
2. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. Banned and challenged because of the author’s public statements and because of claims that the book contains “selective storytelling incidents” and does not encompass racism against all people.
3. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely.Banned and challenged for profanity, drug use, and alcoholism and because it was thought to promote antipolice views, contain divisive topics, and be “too much of a sensitive matter right now.”
4. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Banned, challenged, and restricted because it was thought to contain a political viewpoint, it was claimed to be biased against male students, and it included rape and profanity.
5. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Banned and challenged for profanity, sexual references, and allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of the author.
6. Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story about Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard, illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin. Challenged for “divisive language” and because it was thought to promote antipolice views.
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and their negative effect on students, featuring a “white savior” character, and its perception of the Black experience.
8. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Banned and challenged for racial slurs and racist stereotypes and their negative effect on students.
9. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Banned and challenged because it was considered sexually explicit and depicts child sexual abuse.
10. The Hate U Giveby Angie Thomas. Challenged for profanity, and because it was thought to promote an antipolice message.