A.K. Smiley Public Library Blog

Fall has arrived! Cooler temperatures and an earlier nightfall equal…extra time to read! Please find all of these new book suggestions on the “NEW BOOK” shelf in the Young Readers’ Room. My first … [Read More...] about Yay! Fun new books in the Young Readers’ Room!

“Murder is the unique crime, the only one for which we can never make reparation to the victim.”   - P.D. James On a chilly evening in late December, 2011, Russ Faria returned home to discover a … [Read More...] about Chilling tales of True Crime

New Science Fiction has arrived at A.K. Smiley Public Library. While you stay inside trying to avoid the heat, pick up some new books and think of a not-so-distant future…. fall. Mosscap and … [Read More...] about Welcome fall with some new Sci Fi additions

High school and college students, now that school is back in full swing, you might be finding yourself buried under term papers and other projects. Well, don’t panic – Smiley Library has your research … [Read More...] about Take advantage of our eResources for students

Teens, what has taken me so long to write to you about YA graphic novels? A question you surely must ask yourself daily. At long last the wait is over. Grab your cape, take my hand, and let’s not … [Read More...] about Experience the nuanced medium of the young adult graphic novel

A.K. Smiley Public Library has a variety of new non-fiction books waiting to be read. Here are some interesting and random selections for your consideration. “Tales of Al: The Water Rescue Dog: The … [Read More...] about Three true stories of extraordinary lives

The month of August has been designated as Read-A-Romance Month. So, to get you in the mood for some summer love, I have selected a few new romance novels to highlight for your reading pleasure. If … [Read More...] about Fall in love with a romance novel!

Sometimes we get caught up in our own thoughts. Contemplating different viewpoints while working through problems allows us to step back, gain perspective, and reach solutions that may not occur to us … [Read More...] about Self care

“What I’ve enjoyed most though is meeting people who have a real interest in food and sharing ideas with them. Good food is a global thing and I find that there is always something new and amazing to … [Read More...] about Get inspired by sweet and savory dishes from around the world!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the meaning of home. I recall a line from the journal of fictional character John-boy Walton, “Home, an island, a refuge, a haven of love.” Our homes, and by … [Read More...] about Finding home again: the harrowing journey of the refugee

If you have an A.K. Smiley Public Library card, you can do so much more than check out books. Your library membership gives you instant access to eBooks, downloadable audiobooks, popular magazines, … [Read More...] about Electronic resources at Smiley Library

Summer is fully upon us, making leaving the air-conditioned comfort of the indoors harder to extricate ourselves from. But what to do with all that time indoors while the sun cooks everything in sight … [Read More...] about Keep cool with some refreshing new poetry

Teens, it’s not that I hate summer. Some parts of it are very nice, like pools, fireworks, and socially acceptable inertia. But when temperatures top 100 degrees for more than two days in a row, I … [Read More...] about Compete in our Summer Reading Program — all ages! Free workshops for teens!

Geology, wilderness, wildlife, seasonal weather, and vivid memories may come to mind when thinking about the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to … [Read More...] about Dig into the High Sierra mountains!

The long hot summer months are upon us and what better way to spend them than staying inside and reading. It is my job here, at A.K. Smiley Public Library, to order books for the fiction collection, … [Read More...] about Shannon’s supernatural summer selections

Women have been inspiring contributors to the world of art throughout history. You’ll find wonderful books in our circulating collection featuring artists such as Frida Kahlo, Faith Ringgold, Mary … [Read More...] about Women in the art world

People often ask why adults need help with their reading and writing. Over the last 10 years, the Redlands Adult Literacy Program has learned that each adult learner has their own unique reason for … [Read More...] about Adults seek new literacy skills for many reasons

Picture books, with their incredible illustrations, drawings, or computerized renditions, come together with the words on the page to create a work of art. Please check out these books from our “New … [Read More...] about These new picture books are works of art!

“Gardening is medicine for our spirit, mind, and body. When we grow a garden that is in tune with the elements and the earth’s ebbs and flows, we’re cultivating more than meets the eye.”  Juliet … [Read More...] about Gardening is good for us! Dig into the subject with these new arrivals

Writers are always looking ahead at what might next impact us as a species. As the world undergoes climate changes, authors have begun to look at what the world may look like to those who survive … [Read More...] about Sci-fi writers contemplate the human effect of climate change

Teens, several months ago, I wrote a ground-breaking mullet-inspired (yes, the hairstyle) article about Young Adult resources at A.K. Smiley Public Library. It was a business up front, party in the … [Read More...] about It’s all party-in-the-front with these digital resources for teens!

New books are added to the collections of A.K. Smiley Public Library every day. Here’s a random sampling of a few of the new non-fiction books with a glimpse into what is between the book … [Read More...] about Butterflies, Cheetos, and archaeology… new non-fiction has it all!

Most people have heard the old adage, “Too many books, not enough time.” As of lately, I have been finding myself short on time to read (insert audible gasp here). So, here are a few new titles from … [Read More...] about Add it to the reading list — exciting new fiction!

Spending more time outdoors has made a positive impact on me, both physically and mentally. It’s restorative to be out walking among the trees, along the coast, or wandering through a new city, … [Read More...] about Stepping out

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program partners with organizations in the community to better meet the needs of adult learners. The new partnership between the Redlands Adult Literacy Program and YMCA of … [Read More...] about Adult Literacy offers programs that help adults improve their lives

The Young Readers’ Room offers a non-fiction section of books that spans just over 25 bookshelf spaces! That is A-LOT of information to soak up! There are so many subject areas to learn about; it may … [Read More...] about New nonfiction books for children: learn while having fun!

“The fork is your most powerful tool to change your health and the planet; food is the most powerful medicine to heal chronic illness.” — Mark Hyman, M.D. If you are living with an autoimmune … [Read More...] about Healing ourselves with food

So, do you Dewey? That is, do you use the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) when searching for a book in the library? Do you hunt for books by the library-assigned numbers on the spines of nonfiction … [Read More...] about Language love: browse your way to the heart of the library

As Black History Month continues, here are more new reads from Black authors, who by sharing their voices with us give us the opportunity to educate ourselves and grow. James Hannaham’s latest work … [Read More...] about Creating empathy: elevating ourselves through education

The California State Library has generously made use of State COVID-19 funding to supply A.K. Smiley Public Library with six new electronic resources to help with job hunting and skill … [Read More...] about New electronic resources for job seekers and others