What's New

June is audiobook appreciation month. Please visit A.K. Smiley Public Library to check out our variety of audiobook options!

Physical audiobooks in the library include audio compact discs, MP3 discs, and Playaway devices. Compact discs (audiobooks and music) are playable on CD or DVD players, your car’s audio system, or your computer (if there is a CD player option).

MP3 discs may be listened to on MP3 players, CD players with MP3 capabilities, and desktop and Mac computers, or files can be transferred to a portable music player.

Playaway devices are small self-contained recordings that you listen to by connecting earphones (disposable earbuds are available on request), or plugging into speakers or your car speakers from the universal headphone jack on the unit. They are easy to use, are hands-free, and very portable. Plug in your headphones, place the device in your pocket, and listen while walking, exercising, or for entertainment while doing mundane tasks. Electronic audio items are also available through our website, www.akspl.org, and can be downloaded through Libby/OverDrive to your computer, tablet, or phone. Please check our website for instructions.

Our audio items are available in both fiction, non-fiction, and music. Plan a visit to our beautiful library soon to browse the selections or check our catalog online on our website (www.akspl.org) before you arrive.

Happy listening!

 

Hear ye! Hear ye! Now that I have your undivided attention, I am pleased to tell you that A.K. Smiley Public Library has added some new movies and television series to the collection to check-out for free! Here are some of the new DVDs that are available to check out.

For fans of international films, we have the Japanese film Drive My Car and Korean films The Host, Escape, Train to Busan, Peninsula, and Memories of Murder.

If Sci-fi is more your thing, then you will be happy to know that we have Prometheus, Alien Covenant, and Alien Romulus. These films are part of the Alien franchise, starring Sigourney Weaver.

For fans of Westerns, we have the television series 1883 and 1923, both are a continuing story of the popular television series Yellowstone (which we also have).

For the cinephiles out there who like to watch the Oscar-nominated films we have The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, and Anora.

For Star Wars fans, we now have The Mandalorain available for check-out.

If you like a good scare, we have Black Phone, Wolf Man, and The Last Voyage of the Demeter.

Fans of the movies in the Marvel Universe will be happy to know that we have Captain America: Brave New World and Shang-Chi: Legend of the Ten Rings.

For fans of binge-worthy shows, we have The Penguin, Better Call Saul, Severance, Interview with the Vampire, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and the newest season of Outlander.

If none of these selections sound appealing and you want something funny and uplifting, then I am pleased to tell you that we have the television series Ted Lasso.

So come and down and check out these DVDs!

The sun is out, the birds are singing, and the palm trees are swaying. It’s nearly summer in Redlands, California, and at Smiley Library, we all know what that means. It’s time again for the Youth Services Summer Reading Program, and we’re proud to announce that this year’s theme is Color Our World! This theme encompasses all modes of creativity and art – drawing, writing, painting, photography, music – anything and everything that makes our world a more colorful place.

Beginning with our kickoff event on June 10, Smiley Library will be hosting events and programs for families in the Assembly Room every Tuesday at 10:00am and in the Contemporary Club every Thursday at 10:00am and 2:00pm. These include concerts, magic acts, and art workshops (just to name a few) through July 31. Teens can look forward to programs on Wednesdays such as a clay handbuilding workshop (hosted by Redlands Pottery Project) and book club party (register to pick up a free copy of the book club books on or after June 10 while supplies last!). Registration is required for some of these events, so please call us at (909) 798-7674 or see our flyer for QR codes to register. For more details, check out our Instagram pages (@akspl_kids and @akspl_teens) or the children’s and teens’ pages on our website.

As for the reading component of the Summer Reading Program, children and teens from age 0-19 are welcome to participate. Zero – three-year-olds will earn stickers, while 4-19-year-olds will be reading to earn chances to win oodles of fun and exciting new prizes, such as giant Squishmallows for children and Instax cameras for teens.

All story times except Spanish Storytime will pause during this period, but don’t fret, because the good news is… you can have your own special story times at home with our book giveaways! We will be giving away many wonderful books for free after events every Thursday, a few of which I am about to preview for you here.

Speaking of making the world a more colorful place… Dear Bookstore by Emily Arrow does exactly that. It is a beautiful ode to books and the special, comforting, lovely places where they live. If you catch me crying at the desk in the Young Readers’ Room, this book is likely the culprit. Genevieve Godbout’s illustrations are absolutely lush: sprawling neon vines, twinkling stars, and playful animals against a lavender backdrop, all of which come together to perfectly complement Arrow’s words and showcase the magic to be discovered in books. Emily Arrow is also a songwriter and performer; this book is inspired by a song she wrote in 2017. She has a YouTube channel as well, filled with entertainment for kids, including songs and story times. Her next book Dear Library will be released in 2026, and will no doubt be just as extraordinary and whimsical.

If you’re a loyal patron of the Young Readers’ Room, surely you’re familiar with the illustrations of Jon Klassen. Thanks to Miss Kristina, we have FOUR standups of his art — see if you can spot them all the next time you visit us. The Wolf, The Duck and The Mouse is a fairy tale-esque story in that it is equal amounts funny, curious, and strange… and it may or may not end with a twist. It’s written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen — the unstoppable duo also known for The Shapes Trilogy. The deadpan humor of their collaborative stories is always entertaining, and this book is no exception. The Duck and The Mouse have been gobbled up by The Wolf and are living in his stomach in a situation reminiscent of that of Pinocchio, Gepetto, and Monstro in Disney’s Pinocchio. Unlike Pinocchio and Gepetto, Duck and Mouse make the most of their time spent in their host’s stomach and even team up when he is in trouble.

These crayons need a union! The Day the Crayons Quit written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers is such a clever book, compiled of letters (of complaint, for the most part) written by crayons to their owner, Duncan. Yellow and Orange are no longer speaking to one another, Pink isn’t able to be himself, Green may be the only employee who’s satisfied with his job — this workplace is chaos. But Duncan is open to negotiating… it really does help you think about creative ways to use color, whether you’re an adult or a child. Once you fall in love with these crayons, explore more of their world with other books in our collection such as Love From The Crayons and The Crayons Love Our Planet.

All of these books are currently available to check out in the Young Readers’ Room at Smiley Library. We hope to see you at the library this summer!

Emily Windver is a specialist in the Youth Services Department at A.K. Smiley Library. She enjoys crafting, reading, and treating her crayons fairly and equally.

The Redlands Adult Literacy Program at A.K. Smiley Library is going strong after 15 years. The program works because of volunteers who want to be tutors. A frequent misconception is that adult literacy tutors must have prior experience as a classroom teacher. In fact, adult literacy tutors and volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing their unique life skills to help adults improve their reading and writing. This article highlights adult literacy tutor Sarah Osborne, a long-time supporter of the adult literacy program who retired two years ago from Esri. Upon retirement, Sarah took the orientation course to be an adult literacy tutor, and she has already worked with two adult learners.

In explaining why she volunteers, Sarah said, “I’ve always felt that being literate is a gateway to a better life. In order to get a good job, fill out an application, or advance in a job, you need to know how to read. In order to navigate the Internet safely and successfully, you need to know how to read. In order to stay safe on the road, you need to know how to read. This list goes on and on. One thing I’ve discovered is that I’ve learned just as much about life from the learners I work with. Volunteering is very fulfilling.”

In addition to one-on-one tutoring with adults, Sarah has been a volunteer in the weekly literacy computer literacy classes. The computer literacy classes augment one-on-one tutoring by teaching adult learners the technology skills to use kiosks at doctors’ offices, communicate with friends, families, medical professionals, and educators, search for and apply for employment, and find information on the Internet. Sarah brings a unique passion of hers to the adult literacy computer classes. During retirement, Sarah has developed a “Stop the Scam” class that she incorporates into each adult literacy computer class by providing tips on avoiding internet scams. According to Sarah, “In 2025 everyone needs to be computer literate. Part of this literacy is understanding the different types of cybercrimes and how to stay safe from scams.”

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 skills. 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.

If you have other talents that you would like to share, there are additional volunteer opportunities on the adult literacy hospitality, fundraising, grant writing, and technology committees. The Redlands Adult Literacy Program always needs volunteers to lend a helping hand for book club discussions.

Do you have a passion for reading or writing? Would you like to help someone learn to read? The Redlands Adult Literacy Program provides an opportunity for you to pursue your passion by becoming an adult literacy tutor. Volunteer tutors are the foundation of the Adult Literacy Program because they donate their time to support learners in their quest for reading and writing competency. Says Sarah, “The literacy program is a gem. It’s a very welcoming environment for both the tutors and learners.”

To volunteer to help someone with their reading and writing, please stop by the Circulation Desk at A.K. Smiley Public Library and ask for the Adult Literacy Coordinator or leave your contact information.  The next Tutor Orientation is August 19, 2025.  You can also contact the Literacy program by calling 909.798.7565, ext. 4110 or email: literacy@akspl.org. Tutoring is a great opportunity to help an adult change his or her life through literacy.

To learn more, about Internet scamming, sign up for Sarah’s scam awareness newsletter at EastValleyStopScams.org. Sarah is also willing to speak with community groups about avoiding scams. If you are interested in speaking with her, she can be reached by email at scam.awareness.education@gmail.com. We are grateful for Sarah and every adult literacy volunteer’s contribution to the adult literacy program and their commitment to help adults in our community to improve their literacy.