In this February 16, 2023, edition of LA County Library’s Heart & Hand Book Talk Series, watch Oliver James, one of the brightest new stars on TikTok’s BookTok platform. His story makes for one of the most uplifting in the whole literary world: he taught himself to read at the age of 34 by leveraging TikTok. Oliver is also a fitness aficionado and personal trainer who got started on his reading journey while working out, and now he’s set a “modest” goal of reading 100 books this year. We promise you will come away from this talk inspired! The Heart and Hands Book Talk Series hopes to inspire people to open their hearts and minds by challenging existing perceptions about systemic racism and injustice against people of color. Developed as part of LA County Library’s Equity Initiative, these talks feature discussions on thought-provoking literature as well as conversations with noted authors and speakers. The Heart and Hands Book Talk Series is moderated by Skye Patrick, LA County Library Director.

- This event has passed.
Oliver James – Heart & Hand – Destigmatizing Illiteracy with Social Media
:
Upcoming Events
Women in Hip Hop and Breaking Culture
Justice by Uniting in Creative Energy (J.U.I.C.E.) celebrates the powerful legacy of women in hip-hop & breaking culture! Women in Hip Hop and Breaking Culture is a FREE community event where attendees have a chance to connect, share, and break in an uplifting space filled with music, movement, and community vibes. Join us on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at Pan Pacific Park for live music performed by DJ TiffStarr, breaking, learning, community cypher, a women’s empowerment…
Art Evans
Enjoy a quaint conversation and Q&A with Art Evans as he tells his story in an intimate and candid conversation with friends. Get up close and personal at our Tuesday Night Biography Series, which documents the legacy of the Inner-City Cultural Center. Learn about your favorite actors, television shows, and films; talk about everything from theatre to films, from auditions to writing scripts and songs to survive Hollywood directly with your best-loved iconic figures.
The Crazy Superhero Vacation
The Crazy Superhero Vacation is a production by Ms. Neate’s class at Vena Avenue Elementary. Animation and editing are by Pieter Hardeman of Toy Story Lab. Southland Sings is a creative organization using the arts to unlock creative potential through live opera, musical theatre production, education assemblies, and music composition for all ages.
Descanse en Paz: Memorial Paintings from 19th-Century Mexico
This exhibition highlights two popular genres of 19th-century Mexican painting commemorating family members who no longer reside in the household— offering them a lasting presence in the home. The first intimately portrays deceased individuals in likenesses imbued with grief and tender remembrance. The second genre is the uniquely Mexican monja Coronado or “crowned nun” portrait. Images of flowers adorned Brides of Christ were commissioned by the families of women who took Catholic ecclesiastical vows and permanently embarked on cloistered lives.
CELEBRATE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH WITH GREAT MUSIC
The Los Angeles Public Library and the Los Angeles County Library cards give you access to many resources, including two amazing online music collections. Freegal features unlimited songs, and Hoopla lets you check out full albums. These two databases have endless amounts of music from the African and African American diaspora to explore, from famous hits to underground sounds. hoopladigital.com/search?q=African+American+music&scope=everything&type=direct&kindId=6 freegalmusic.com