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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 back situation, in which I described some academic databases the library offers (the business), followed by a couple thrilling book recommendations (the party).

This month, I am shunning all business and just want to focus on the party, but I’m not sure what kind of haircut metaphor applies. A French braid? No, too stuffy. A flat-top fade? Too disciplined. A comb-over with a pony tail? Yes! That is the most party-ready hairstyle imaginable. Please read on to experience the world’s premier comb-over-with-a-pony-tail inspired article—a.k.a. an absolute party—in which we consider some very cool library resources that await your discovery.

First, let’s talk about drivers’ licenses. Do you want one? Do you need one? Do you dream of getting one? If you are nervous about the written portion of the driver’s test, oh teens, buckle your seatbelts and start here! The Library recently partnered with Driving-Tests.org to provide free unlimited access to the official California driver’s manual, online practice tests for car, motorcycle and commercial driver’s licenses, an exam simulator, and more. Start taking the practice tests when you are 12 and have nothing to fear…you’ll be a pro by your sixteenth birthday!

Teens, of course I am joking. Even if you’re already 16 (or even older), this free resource is sure to help you master the rules of the road so you can tackle your written driver’s test with confidence. Take this resource for a spin from the Teens’ page of the A.K. Smiley Public Library website at www.akspl.org/teens, no login required. And what could feel like a bigger party than being a safe and informed driver? Very comb-over-with-a-pony-tail worthy.

Okay, okay, I hear you. You don’t want this party to end. Well you’re in luck. The Library currently offers another digital resource that you may want to check out immediately. SkillShare is an awesome online platform that provides access to thousands of creative courses, taught by industry experts, on all kinds of topics, ranging from animation to creative writing to graphic design to web development. Usually, access to this resource costs money. This is where the comb-over-with-a-ponytail comes in. Right now, if you use the link from the eDatabases page on the A.K. Smiley Public Library website (www.akspl.org/elibrary/#edatabases), you may activate your prepaid account for three months TOTALLY FREE.

As I mentioned, there are thousands of fun and potentially career-boosting courses to choose from. Here is just a tiny sampling of classes that caught my eye: DJing for Beginners, Pet Portraits, Write Your Own Screenplay, Art Journaling, Social Media Marketing: Top Tips for Growing Your Followers and Going Viral, Indie Filmmaking, Stop Motion for Beginners, and more. If you’ve ever dreamed of producing a stop-motion indie documentary about your surprisingly successful side gig selling still-life portraits of your Chihuahua, this is the resource for you.

Teens, don’t adjust your comb-over-with-a-ponytail just yet. I have one more party to share with you. The Calm Room, produced by the Rosen Teen Health and Wellness team, is pretty much what it sounds like…a virtual place to visit when you need to relax. A puppy play room cam? Yes, they’ve got it. Soothing fireplace sounds? Sure. Peaceful forest walk videos? Of course. Links to mindfulness and meditation apps and support hotlines? Affirmative. Wait, you don’t think this sounds like a party? Teens, please think with your comb-over. Sometimes the only party you need is a quiet one that allows you to re-center and catch your breath. You can access The Calm Room—and all the serenity it has to offer—from www.akspl.org/teens.

There you have it. You may now comb out your comb-over, release your pony tail, and start reveling in these digital resources immediately. And if you’re on Instagram and your parents approve, follow us at akspl_teens for all the late-breaking YA library news and events. We promise to keep the comb-over-with-a-ponytail content coming.

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 covers.

Exotic butterflies, Belize, wildlife sanctuary, nature, Mayan civilization, ecotourism, living in a rainforest, human connections, a butterfly farm, and the effects of a hurricane and a pandemic. All of these subjects are contained in journalist Diana Marcum’s memoir, “The Fallen Stones: Chasing Butterflies, Discovering Mayan Secrets, and Looking for Hope along the Way.” The author’s vivid descriptions and sense of humor make this a memorable narrative.

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, motivation, inventiveness, determination, discrimination, success, and a Pepsi executive are all topics covered in “Flamin’ Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man’s Rise from Janitor to Top Executive.” Richard P. Montañez’s personal journey is quite an inspiring story.

Archaeology, 3 million years, six continents, explorers, ancient cities, secret codes, treasures, tombs, looters, history, and curses. National Geographic’s “Lost Cities, Ancient Tombs: 100 Discoveries that Changed the World” explores these subjects and more in a little over 500 pages with color photographs. This book will undoubtedly evoke curiosity to learn more about some of these histories of the human journey.

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 the fiction collection that I am looking forward to reading. That is, when I have the time to read.

Sundial, Catriona Ward’s latest horror novel looks like a terrifyingly good read. If her name looks familiar to you, you might have read her previous novel, The Last House on Needless Street.

Young Mungo is Douglas Stuart’s latest novel. Stuart won the 2020 Booker Prize for his beautiful novel Shuggie Bain, one of my favorite books that I have read to date.

Quan Barry’s latest novel, When I’m Gone Look for Me in the East, takes the reader on a spiritual quest through the Mongolian landscape. Barry’s previous novel, We Ride Upon Sticks, took us on a journey through young adulthood with a field hockey team, which I really enjoyed reading a few years ago.

One book I am really looking forward to reading is Simone St. James’ latest novel, The Book of Cold Cases. St. James’ previous novel, The Sun Down Motel, was one of the only books to scare me enough that I didn’t want to turn off the lights.

These are just a few books that are on my never-ending to-be-read list. Come on down to the library, and check out these titles and many more.

 

For more information visit our website at www.akspl.org, or give us a call at 909-798-7565.

 

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, learning a little history and admiring its culture. When you’re ready to step out, Smiley Library has a number of new books full of ideas for your outings.

Urban hiking combines the adventure of exploring interesting neighborhoods while enjoying the outdoors. Your journey may take you past historic architecture, colorful murals, shorelines, or town squares. “Urban Hikes Southern California: A Guide to the Area’s Greatest Urban Hiking Adventures” by Robert Inman showcases 41 different hikes along with maps, mileage, and pictures to pique your interest. Walk or take a ride on Angels Flight, the historic funicular railway in downtown Los Angeles featured on the Little Tokyo-Bunker Hill hike. Check out the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge in San Diego while roaming the Bankers Hill-Balboa Park vicinity. Inman even highlights a 5.8 mile loop hike right here in Redlands. If you have yet to walk around the 1897 Victorian mansion Kimberly Crest in Prospect Park, the French chateau cottages of Normandie Court, or look up into the colorful umbrellas above Orange Street Alley, then you should definitely put this on your list. The Redlands hike also references “the magnificent” Smiley Library. We couldn’t agree more.

Our circulating collection contains a variety of hiking guidebooks featuring different locales. These guides are useful resources with comprehensive lists of trails including information such as length, difficulty level, maps, and descriptions of the area. They include treks from easy day hikes to longer back-country trips. Just a few of the areas covered are the San Bernardino Mountains, Palm Springs, Anza Borrego, and the Pacific Crest Trail. Our newest additions would be perfect for experienced hikers and those up for an extended adventure. “Sierra North” and “Sierra South” by Elizabeth Wenk and Mike White take you into the gorgeous Sierra Nevadas of California on overnight to week-long backpacking expeditions. The authors include 80 trips for each book, so there is a wide range of excursions to choose from. My husband and I really enjoy the Bishop Pass trail out of South Lake. Even for day hiking, these useful books will introduce you to one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the West.

Tailored for kids, “Wild Days: Outdoor Play for Young Adventurers” by Richard Irvine is such a fun book to spark ideas for exploring nature. Over 50 activities, crafts, games, and lessons will encourage your kids to engage with the outdoors. Suggestions include stargazing, going on treasure hunts, listening to birdsong, building rope swings, and floating reed boats. This educational guide will entice your child to spend hours of fun in the fresh air.

We have many beautiful public hiking and walking trails available in Redlands. Enjoy the open space of San Timoteo Canyon or Herngt ‘Aki’ Preserve for starters. Information and maps can be found on the following website: www.redlandsconservancy.org/map and handouts of these maps are available at Smiley Library’s reader’s advisory desk. Brochures are also available for walks in the downtown Redlands area. Spotlighting prominent buildings and homes, “A Walking Tour of Historic Redlands” and “A Personality Tour of Historic Redlands” will help you discover Redlands’ past.

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 the East Valley which began last summer continues to thrive by offering meeting space for adult learner teams and programs that have grown out of Adult Literacy, including Family Literacy, and Conversation Corner, a program that helps adults practice their conversational English.

The Adult Literacy Program is grateful that the YMCA provides space for individual learner-tutor teams and for group instruction in literacy. All tutoring sessions are learner-driven; volunteer tutors help adult learners reach their individual literacy goals such as reading a book, writing a letter, getting a job, or helping children with their schoolwork. At the group literacy meetings, teams of learners and tutors work together, and then gather for group instruction by reading a book together and building their vocabulary and comprehension skills.

The Family Literacy Program is an extension of the Redlands Adult Literacy Program and was designed to support adult learners who are currently enrolled or plan to enroll in Adult Literacy. Participants have family-oriented goals such as reading a book to their child, or helping their children with schoolwork. Parental literacy is directly linked to the success of children in school. Recently, participants in the Family Literacy Program met at the YMCA of the East Valley. The families talked about what a “sport” is and why sports are important and each identified their favorite sport. Everyone learned that the game of basketball was introduced in 1891 by James Naismith, who worked at a YMCA in Massachusetts and published the first rules for the game. The children were introduced to three new sports: gymnastics, basketball, and soccer. Every child received a book about sports to add to their own home library.

Following the meeting, one mother commented that the family literacy meeting “encouraged exercise and being healthy.” Another mom said that her son enjoyed learning about sports. Adult learner Lida Gadea shared, “The Family Literacy Program allows my daughter and niece to make new friends and try new things. The meetings are fun for the adults as well. We appreciate today’s book because it teaches about many different sports.”

Conversation Corner helps adults who are trying to learn conversational English, so that they have the conversational skills required for enrolling into the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. Conversation Corner participants meet Tuesday mornings at 11:30 at the YMCA’s Heritage Room. Instructor Renee Kennedy welcomes adults who would like to practice speaking English in a friendly environment. Renee Kennedy shared, “Conversation Corner participants have talked about grocery products and favorite recipes, and practiced useful skills such as ways to introduce themselves to people they encounter in their daily lives. This informal setting is a great way to practice speaking English.” These meetings have a hybrid format with a Zoom option for those who are unable to meet in person.

If you know of someone who needs help in reading, writing, or English conversation, please encourage them to take the first step in changing their lives by contacting the Redlands Adult Literacy Program. All services are free and confidential.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program seeks additional volunteers who can help motivated adults improve their reading and writing. If you would like to volunteer with the Redlands Adult Literacy Program, please contact Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coordinator, at (909) 798-7565 ext. 4138, email literacy@akspl.org, or visit the Adult Literacy website, akspl.org/literacy.