What's New

While patrons roam the familiar shelves and hallways of Smiley Library, a hidden world of mysteries lies concealed beneath their feet. Locked away from public view, the basement of the Library harbors a trove of esoteric artifacts, each with a story waiting to be told. Normally a space seen only by Smiley staff and the tireless volunteers of the Friends of the Library, this article aims to pull back the curtain on this space and answer that burning question one can’t help but wonder: What’s in the basement? 

Our exploration begins with a miniature marvel – a dollhouse replica of the iconic Morey Mansion. The beautiful Victorian home, built in 1890, has been dubbed “America’s Favorite Victorian House” and has been featured in films and movies for decades. The dollhouse is one of several in a collection modeled after famous homes in Redlands. Delicately crafted and meticulously detailed, the dollhouse offers a tiny view into a bygone era. 

Elsewhere in the basement is a large metallic scale, manufactured by Toledo company. Its face lists “desirable weights” for men and women, exuding a vintage charm despite its somewhat dated health standards. The scale encapsulates the idea of “They don’t build ‘em like that anymore” as it stands as tall as a grown man and weighs about the same. This specific scale used to stand in front of Gair’s, a local Redlands menswear store, until it was donated and became part of the Library’s historical collection. 

Our next item comes from a group of books going back over a century on a variety of topics ranging from local to international. One such book, selected at random, is the Reports of the Secretary of War, 1881-1885. Ancient volumes like this, while not the most riveting read, provide a crucial window into American history for historians and scholars. During this period the United States Army would have been involved in expanding into the Pacific with the establishment of naval bases on Hawaii and Guam. The decade also saw wars with Native American tribes, which would ultimately culminate in the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890. 

Another book in the basement is called Current Literature from 1911 to 1912. This title provides a fascinating glimpse into what people were reading over a century ago, and is reminiscent of our own “What’s New” articles today!  Some noteworthy titles from that year included “Ethan Frome,” by Edith Wharton, “The Secret Garden,” by Frances Hodgson Burnett, “The Lost World” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and “Tarzan of the Apes” by Edgar Rice Burroughs. 

Although the secrets of the Smiley basement may remain hidden from view, they serve as a reminder of the rich tapestry of history we curate at the Library. As you explore the stacks above, we invite you to ponder the mysteries that lie beneath your feet, and perhaps you too will find yourself asking, “What’s in the basement?” 

One of the most commonly asked questions I get working at A.K. Smiley Public Library is “what’s the last good book you have read?” Most of the time I get nervous and can’t remember; well luckily for you, my dear reader, I can recommend two good books to you.

I know it is only April, but my favorite book that I have read so far this year, is Murder Road by Simone St. James. Newlyweds April and Eddie are on their way to their honeymoon when they come across a young woman on the side of the road who looks like she is in need of help. They pick up the despondent woman and take her to the hospital where she is later pronounced dead. The cops immediately suspect them as the murderers. Trying to prove themselves innocent, April and Eddie uncover a sinister secret where more than one hitchhiker has been murdered on this murderous road. Check out this title to see what or who has been murdering innocent hitchhikers.

Another novel that I really enjoyed reading is The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo. If you are familiar with the mythology of the fox in Asian cultures, then I highly recommend this book. The Fox Wife takes place in 1908 in Manchuria where a ‘woman’ named Snow is seeking revenge and a detective named Bao is investigating a mysterious death of a young woman. Check out this novel to find out how Snow’s and Bao’s fates are intertwined.

Make your way down to A.K. Smiley Public Library and check out these two titles today!

The official start to baseball season is under way and exceptional books are in the lineup for fans of the game. Hope you’ll find one that knocks it out of the park.

April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball commemorating the day Robinson made his debut as the first Black athlete to play in major league’s modern era. The year was 1947, and when Robinson took the field that day as a Brooklyn Dodger, the historic occasion marked the first steps towards ending over 60 years of segregation in professional baseball. “True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson” by Kostya Kennedy focuses on four major chapters in the life of this incredible baseball hero and civil rights leader. A wonderfully unique book, it’s a great look into both his professional and public life.

Not your typical baseball book, the engaging read, “The Wingmen: The Unlikely, Unusual, Unbreakable Friendship Between John Glenn and Ted Williams” by Adam Lazarus examines the connection and surprising friendship between two iconic figures, astronaut John Glenn and baseball icon Ted Williams. Both became Marine pilots during the Korean War serving in the same squadron and flying several missions together. Coming from different backgrounds with vastly different personalities, Glenn eager to serve while Williams extremely reluctant, they both had something very significant in common. They both were great pilots. Through letters, diaries, and military records, learn the story of these two remarkable men who met in the airways above Korea, their diverse lives after the military, and enduring friendship.

As a child, a friend of mine and her family were hardcore Los Angeles Dodger fans and secured season tickets to watch them play for many years. I was lucky enough to be invited along on occasion and enjoyed watching these all-star players during the 70s and early 80s. Names like Tommy Lasorda, Steve Garvey, and Fernando Valenzuela were familiar to me. Of course, there was also the “Penguin,” a nickname given to Ron Cey due to his waddling running style.

In “Penguin Power: Dodger Blue, Hollywood Lights, and My One-in-a-Million Big League Journey,” author and former Dodger’s third baseman Ron Cey, along with Ken Gurnick, recounts his life in baseball. From college to the professionals, playing for the Dodgers and Cubs, Cey shares insights and opinions on teammates, recalls childhood idols like Willie Mays, weighs in on who were the best owners, and reveals celebrity encounters he’s had along the way. If you remember Major League Baseball from the 70s and 80s, this is a fun reminiscence into Los Angeles Dodger history and background on an outstanding player who was a six-time All-Star and the World Series Most Valuable Player in 1981.

Enjoy our new baseball books and be sure to catch a local softball or baseball game when you can. Redlands has amazing youth, adult, high school, and college teams that would love your support.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program relies on its volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring to adults who are interested in improving their reading and writing. Literacy volunteers also support computer classes, family literacy programs, book clubs, and other activities that help adult learners reach their individual literacy goals. Every volunteer has a unique story about working in adult literacy, and many speak of the joy that comes when they help adults learn a new literacy skill that will be used in their work, personal, and/or family life. The following stories are examples of two tutors whose lives have been magically and deeply rewarded by improving the lives of learners through literacy.

Sharon Regalado is a former elementary school teacher who has volunteered with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program since 2012. When she retired, she missed teaching, but the adult literacy program has filled that gap in her life. It meets her need to help others further their education. Sharon said, “It is exciting to watch a woman who is brave enough to admit she needs help, come to the library to get that help, and then make progress.” Several of the adults Sharon has supported over the years have gone on to get jobs or enroll in college. When one graduates from the program, Sharon happily starts over with a new learner. She enjoys discovering their learning style, finding suitable activities, and helping them become the people that they want to be. Sharon loves tutoring and considers herself a teacher forever.

Grace Russell is another valued tutor in the Adult Literacy Program. Unlike Sharon, Grace does not have a background in teaching; she is a retired human resources specialist. Grace joined the program just six months ago and is enjoying the experience of one-on-one tutoring. Recently, Grace learned that her adult learner had had difficulty reading street signs as she was driving. In fact, the learner said she used to “drive blind” because she didn’t understand what the street signs said. The learner went on to explain that, since she began working with Grace, she has learned how to read and is now able to understand street signs and navigate her way through town. The street signs, in the learner’s words, are “coming alive” because she can read them and use this skill to drive to new places.

Both these stories demonstrate the real-life impact of helping adults improve their reading and writing. Adult learners work with tutors so that they can develop the literacy skills that are so necessary in our world to work to raise a family, and to enjoy the opportunities that surround us.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, you are invited to the next tutor orientation and training session on Saturday, April 6, at the A.K. Smiley Public Library Assembly Room. To reserve your place, please stop by A.K. Smiley Public Library at 125 W. Vine Street to indicate your interest, or contact one of the adult literacy staff by calling (909) 798-7565, or emailing literacy@akspl.org. The orientation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and training will be completed by 2:00 p.m. All services and materials are free.

You are also invited to share this information with others. Perhaps you know an adult who would benefit from adult literacy services. Please encourage them to contact the adult literacy staff. You will be helping them to change their lives!

Spring break is in full swing! Check out some of these books in a series and read through as many as you can while school is out!  These series books can be found in our fiction book area, shelved under the authors’ last names.

Rick Riordan has done it again…this volume: The Chalice of The Gods is volume six in part of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Folks may think their senior year is meant for making the most memories and making lifelong friendships.  Well, for Percy, things aren’t like that. Percy needs to ask for three recommendation letters, but to do so, he’ll need to complete three quests. Oh my, poor Percy. He is a tough kid, and he’s made it through the other five books, but what will happen in book six? (Insert biting fingernails in nervous gesture here). Guest appearances from Grover and Annabeth may be just what Percy needs to accomplish his goals.

The Kingdom Keepers Inheritance series written by Ridley Pearson is ready for you to check out volume two, Villains’ Realm.  Can Eli and his friends stop this next villain, Ursula, from ruining all of the Disney parks? Epcot Center is where this story begins, but Ursula has high hopes of creating Villains’ Realms worldwide. Eli and his friends MUST stop her; will they be able to surpass the evil with good? Check this book out to find out if Eli or Ursula was the victor.

Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams have done it again. With volume 29 in the Goddess Girls series, Elpis the Hopeful will continue to satisfy the fans of this series. Elpis, who starts the story as a bubble, yes, a bubble, is transformed into a girl with Principal Zeus’ help. The principal has high expectations for Elpis to maintain a healthy relationship with the human girls. Will Elpis be able to please the principal by becoming a girl, or will she be summoned back to exist as a bubble? Hmmm? This is a hard decision for Elpis to make…check out this next book of the series to find out what Elpis decided to do.

Kwame Mbalia has continued the story of Tristan in volume three of the Tristan Strong series, Tristan Strong Keeps Punching. Tristan is in seventh grade now and he’s gone off to Alabama for a nice, relaxing vacation with his grandparents. Or so he thinks it will be a relaxing vacation. Tristan unknowingly has launched a time war. Brer Rabbit and John Henry wind up in this volume with Tristan and engage in a battle to get Tristan back home. Will these folk heroes be able to assist Tristan enough to find his way home, or will Tristan wind up as the newest member of the folk hero story? Check this series out to read all about Tristan’s adventures.

Tracey West wrote volume 25 of the Dragon Masters series for us all to enjoy. Legend of the Star Dragon will whet your whistle with all things astronomy. With our upcoming eclipse in April, this volume of Dragon Masters will have you routing for Drake and all of the other Dragon Masters to stop the shadow dragon before it’s too late. Will the Shadow Dragon win this battle, or will Drake, the Star Dragon, and all of their cohorts save the world from pending darkness? Check out this volume to help route for Drake as well!