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

Don’t Miss the Lincoln Dinner: February 12

Registration is Now Open for the Lincoln Dinner

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine will honor Abraham Lincoln at the 87th annual Watchorn Lincoln Dinner on Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30pm in the University of Redlands’s Orton Center. Dr. Caroline Janney, Director of the Nau Center for Civil War History at the University of Virginia will deliver the keynote address “Surrender in the Wake of Lincoln’s Assassination.”

Attendance to the Lincoln Dinner is $49 for members of the Lincoln Memorial Association who join or renew in January 2019, and $59 for the general public. Advanced reservations are required and will remain open until February 6. For reservations or for more information, please call (909)798-7632 or email heritage@akspl.org.

Lincoln Shrine Open House: February 9

 

History Comes to life at the Lincoln Shrine on February 9

Celebrate President Abraham Lincoln at the 47th annual Lincoln Shrine Open House on Saturday, February 9 from 11am to 3pm at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine and Smiley Park. The day will feature live music, Civil War reenactors, and a chance to see “Reflections of the Face of Lincoln,” the most life-like animatronic Lincoln ever created. 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.

Heritage Room Has New Hours

A.K. Smiley Public Library is excited to announce that The Heritage Room is expanding opportunities for researchers by opening to the public on Tuesday afternoons, 1-5pm.

Established in 1972, the Heritage Room strives to collect, preserve, and make available historical materials relating to Redlands, San Bernardino County, Southern California, and the West. The division also includes the collections of the Lincoln Memorial Shrine, a museum and research center focusing solely on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.

“The Great Recession hit Redlands hard, and unfortunately the Library was forced to significantly reduce service.  Thankfully, as the economy has improved over the last several years, we have been able to gradually move toward the level and quality of service that Redlanders have long expected from the Library,” remarked Nathan Gonzales, Archivist and Head of Special Collections. The reinstatement of Tuesday afternoon hours makes it easier for everyone to stop by and learn the history of a home or business, find historic photographs of the community, or see original letters from the Civil War. The Heritage Room also accepts donations for the Lincoln Memorial Shrine and the future Museum of Redlands.

The Heritage Room is open to the public Tuesdays, 1pm-5pm and Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10am-12pm and 1pm-5pm. Although walk-ins are welcome, specialized researchers may find their needs better met by calling (909) 798-7632 for an appointment with an archivist.

Closed for the Holidays

Closed

The library will be closed for the following 2019 holidays:

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Holidays Date(s) Observed
New Years Day January 1
Martin Luther King Day January 20 – 21
President’s Day February 17 – 18
Easter April 21
Memorial Day May 26 – 27
Independence Day July 4
Labor Day September 1 – 2
Columbus Day October 13 – 14
Veteran’s Day November 10 – 11
Thanksgiving Nov. 28 – Dec. 1
Christmas December 24 – 25
New Year’s Eve Hours 10AM – 3PM
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Animatronic Abraham Lincoln Extended through March 2019

 

Have you seen “Reflections of the Face of Lincoln” yet? Created by Garner Holt Productions, the attraction masterfully combines theme-park magic with historical interpretation to create a truly unique experience for audiences of all ages and brings history to life in a way never-before-seen in the Lincoln Memorial Shrine.
Since opening to the public in July, the innovative attraction has drawn thousands of visitors to the museum. Generous gifts from Shrine supporters have allowed school tours to see the attraction at no cost. While originally slated to close in December, its stay has now been extended through March 31, 2019. This is definitely an experience you won’t want to miss!
“Reflections of the Face of Lincoln” show times begin every twenty minutes during the Shrine’s hours of operation: Tuesday-Sunday, 1-5pm. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased upon arrival. For more information or to schedule a group tour, please call the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632.