Northridge Branch - Los Angeles Public Library

We thought it was about time we posted a picture from Northridge! This photo was taken on September 23, 1963 at the intersection of Nordhoff and Zelzah. Three days after this sweltering day the Los Angeles International Airport would record its highest ever temperature of 110 degrees!

To find more Los Angeles weather data take a look at https://www.laalmanac.com. And for more information on this photograph, you can find it in our photo collection at https://tessa.lapl.org under Order Number 00085483.

Also, this is just a reminder that our libraries operate as a cooling centers during heat waves.

Thanks for playing Way Back... When? A new round is coming up next Wednesday. In the meantime, stay cool!

A little navel gazing now and then doesn't hurt, does it? Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of Way Back... When? next Wednesday!

A little navel gazing now and then doesn't hurt, does it? Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of Way Back... When? next Wednesday!

We're sorry to report that the L.A. Kings storytime scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday 7/17, has to be rescheduled. We will let you know as soon as we have a new date.

In the meantime, you can take a look at our branch newsletter for info about other events here:

Northridge Branch Library - Schedule Change and Weekly Newsletter Hello, Northridge Library Patrons -  As usual, thank you for subscribing to the newsletter. We hope to see you soon, either online or at the library.  Unfortunately, the L.A. Kings storytime that was scheduled for tomorrow, July 17, has to be rescheduled. We will let you know as soon as we have a ...

Thanks for playing Way Back... When? This photo was taken at City Hall in 1927. As a public building, it was exempted from a 150 foot (13 story) height limit that was eventually removed in the 1950s. For more information on this photo you can look it up in LAPL's photo collection at tessa.lapl.org under Order Number 00017049. By the way, the man in the photograph was a stunt man. Don't get any ideas!

We'll be back next Wednesday for a new round.

Seen under construction here, this building was for decades the tallest building in Los Angeles. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of Way Back... When? next Wednesday!

For now, wishing you a Happy Fourth of July!

Seen under construction here, this building was for decades the tallest building in Los Angeles. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of Way Back... When? next Wednesday!

For now, wishing you a Happy Fourth of July!

Join us tomorrow morning (6/29) at 10:30 a.m. for a fun Saturday morning of Urban Line Dancing! Wilbert McZeal will be back at the branch to teach, and this is a great program for teens and adults. All levels and abilities are welcome. Last time we had Wilbert, it was a blast, so we hope you join us!

Details:

www.lapl.org

We have a very special Pride month conversation taking place tomorrow, Wednesday 6/26, at 1 p.m. Pacific on Zoom! Broadway performer Benjamin Eakeley will talk about his journey through iconic roles like Steve Healy in Jagged Little Pill, and his acclaimed Broadway performances in She Loves Me, Cabaret, and Sweeney Todd. Details and Zoom registration link here:
https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/zoom-conversation-broadway-performer-benjamin-eakeley

Thanks for playing Way Back... When? We're posting the answer a day early this week, as tomorrow the library is closed in celebration of Juneteenth!

This is a photo of Andy Warhol with two actresses who appeared on The Love Boat in 1985. Part of the words Pacific Princess can be seen in the background. You can learn more about this photo in LAPL's Photo Collection, Tessa, at https://tessa.lapl.org/ under Order Number 00161902.

Did you know that Warhol was sued by the Campbell Soup Company over his can paintings, which first exhibited in Los Angeles? It was later determined that the paintings were good marketing! You can read about this art pioneer in the database "Gale in Context: Biography", which you can access with your Los Angeles Public Library card.

The man in the middle had an art studio in New York, but he didn't shy away from Los Angeles to guest star on a TV show. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of "Way Back... When?" next Wednesday!

All ages are invited to join us tomorrow, Tuesday 6/18, at 1 p.m. for Vegan Sushi with Acooba Scott. This is always a really fun program, and you will get to try samples!

Info here: https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/vegan-sushi-0

Join us today (Saturday 6/15) at 2 p.m. for a presentation by Integrative Health Specialist Dr. Desmonette Hazly called "Healthy Food is Great Medicine." This is a bilingual English/Spanish workshop, and everyone who attends will get herbs, spices, and teas to take home. All are welcome!

Details here: https://lapl.org/whats-on/events/healthy-food-great-medicine%E2%80%A8workshop-giveaways-la-comida-saludable-es-una-gran

The man in the middle had an art studio in New York, but he didn't shy away from Los Angeles to guest star on a TV show. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of "Way Back... When?" next Wednesday!

Join us this Thursday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. for a Klezmer concert with Klezmer Juice! All ages are welcome.

Info here: https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/gustavo-bulgach-klezmer-juice

It's that time again! The Summer Reading Challenge for all ages has started. You can register at the branch or online here lapl.org/summer. Then stop by to pick up a fabulous tote bag, as supplies last!

We also have SO many events coming up, including Puppets, Klezmer, a Healthy Food Workshop (with free samples), teen programs, and more. Take a look at our latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/e8df902ba39e/northridge-branch-library-newsletter-6-7-24

This photo was taken at the Hollywood Canteen on October 5, 1942, two days after its opening. The woman in the photo (who bears a strong resemblance to Bette Davis!) is actress and singer Marlene Dietrich. Dietrich, who became an American citizen in 1939, kissed the Canteen's one millionth visitor on September 15, 1943 and would later be awarded the Medal of Freedom for her work entertaining the troops abroad.

For more information on this photo you can look it up in Tessa at https://tessa.lapl.org/ under Order Number 00059756.

Thanks for playing Way Back... When? New round coming up next Wednesday!

At this famed venue troops could have dinner served by a movie star. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of Way Back... When? next Wednesday.

At this famed venue troops could have dinner served by a movie star. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? We'll reveal the answer to this round of Way Back... When? next Wednesday.

Thanks for playing Way Back... When? This photo was taken underneath the Chemosphere (also known as the Malin House) in 1961. The architect, John Lautner, studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. Like Wright, Lautner sought ways to integrate architecture with nature. The house stems out of a steep hillside near Mulholland Drive and offers panoramic views of the San Fernando Valley. For more information on this photo you can look it up in the LAPL photo collection, Tessa, at tessa.lapl.org under Order Number 00124364.

New round coming next Wednesday!

Contrary to what this structure's name implies, it's actually shaped like an octagon. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? Share your guess in the comments.

We'll reveal the answer to this round of "Way Back... When?" next Wednesday!

Contrary to what this structure's name implies, it's actually shaped like an octagon. Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? Share your guess in the comments.

We'll reveal the answer to this round of "Way Back... When?" next Wednesday!

Thanks for playing Way Back... When? This photo was taken in 1965 in none other than Huntington Beach, aka Surf City. Duke Kahanamoku is seen here posing with his surfing team. After making a name for himself as an athlete, Kahanamoku lived in Southern California for a while, appearing in silent and talking pictures including Wake of the Red Witch with John Wayne.

For more information about this photo, you can look it up in Tessa at tessa.lapl.org under Order Number 00050890. You can also read more about Kahanamoku's life in the database: The American Mosaic: The Asian American Experience at https://asianamerican.abc-clio.com/ This database is accessible with your Los Angeles Public Library card.

New round coming up next Wednesday!

The Olympic champion swimmer in the center of this photo helped popularize the sport of surfing on America's mainland. Can you guess when and where this picture was taken? Find out the answer to this round of our game "Way Back... When?" next Wednesday!

The Olympic champion swimmer in the center of this photo helped popularize the sport of surfing on America's mainland. Can you guess when and where this picture was taken? Find out the answer to this round of our game "Way Back... When?" next Wednesday!

Unfortunately, Keepers of Culture Poetry Reading Series is canceled for today, Saturday 4/27. It will return on the 4th Saturday of May, and we look forward to seeing you then.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thanks for playing Way Back... When? This photo was taken on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, in the southern part of L.A. County, in 1981. Santa Catalina Island is visible in the distance. For more information on this picture you can look it up in our Photo Collection, Tessa, at tessa.lapl.org under Order Number 00083452.

Did you know that you don't have to live within L.A. city limits to get a free Los Angeles Public Library card? You just have to live somewhere in California!

A new round is coming next Wednesday.

In commemoration of Earth Day on April 22, we've decided to highlight a car alternative for this round of our guessing game Way Back... When? Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? Hint: we are not within the city limits of Los Angeles anymore, but we are still in the county. Share your response in the comments. Answer next Wednesday.

In commemoration of Earth Day on April 22, we've decided to highlight a car alternative for this round of our guessing game Way Back... When? Can you guess when and where this photo was taken? Hint: we are not within the city limits of Los Angeles anymore, but we are still in the county. Share your response in the comments. Answer next Wednesday.

This was a tricky round. The Sepulveda tunnel opened in 1930. However, the section of Sepulveda Blvd. from Ventura Blvd. to Sunset Blvd. wasn't completed until 1935. This picture was taken on October 19, 1935 facing the north opening of the tunnel. (The San Diego Freeway opened its stretch over the Santa Monica Mountains in 1962.) For more information on this photo you can find it in Tessa at tessa.lapl.org under order number 00071929.

That's a wrap for this round of Way Back... When? New round next Wednesday!

In the year this photo was taken the governor of California said: "This in the future will be one of the great thoroughfares over which traffic in Southern California will travel." Can you guess when that was and which road he referenced? Share your thoughts in the comments. The answer to this round of Way Back... When? will be revealed next Wednesday.

In the year this photo was taken the governor of California said: "This in the future will be one of the great thoroughfares over which traffic in Southern California will travel." Can you guess when that was and which road he referenced? Share your thoughts in the comments. The answer to this round of Way Back... When? will be revealed next Wednesday.

Thanks for playing "Way Back... When?" This photo was taken on September 12, 2005 at a former rail yard that sits in between Chinatown and the Los Angeles River. The lot was nicknamed the Cornfield because of the seeds that fell off of the hopper cars and produced corn stalks there in L.A.'s early days. In 2005, when the area was a brownfield, artist Lauren Bon turned it into an art installation titled "Not a Cornfield", which ran through one agricultural cycle. In 2006 the site became Los Angeles State Historic Park. To learn more about this photograph look up Order Number 00104957 in our Photo Collection at tessa.lapl.org.

We'll be back next Wednesday with another photo!

It's beginning to feel like spring. Are you growing anything this year? For this round of "Way Back... When?", we're taking you to a cornfield somewhere outside of downtown L.A. Can you guess where this 32-acre parcel sits and when this photo was taken?

We'll reveal the answer next Wednesday! All photos are taken from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection on Tessa: https://tessa.lapl.org/

For those of you who got to watch the Academy Awards we hope you enjoyed the show! And now for the answer to this round of "Way Back... When?" This photo was taken in 1964 at the dedication of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion which served as the venue for the Oscars a record 25 times! Dorothy Chandler, L.A. Times executive, patron of the arts and women's rights advocate, is pictured seated while Bob Hope speaks. For more information about this picture, you can look it up in Tessa by searching for Order Number 00127710.

Join us next Wednesday for another round of "Way Back... When?"

Are you ready for another round of our newest guessing game, "Way Back... When?" Can you tell when and where this photo was taken? Here's a hint: the man at the mic played Oscar host twice in the building behind him. Share your guess in the comments.

Are you ready for another round of our newest guessing game, "Way Back... When?" Can you tell when and where this photo was taken? Here's a hint: the man at the mic played Oscar host twice in the building behind him. Share your guess in the comments.

Join us Saturday, March 2 from 2 - 4 p.m. for a bilingual Spanish/English Mind/Body Wellness Workshop and brainstorming session. All participants will get to learn, take home an assortment of free teas, and give ideas for future free workshops!

You can find out more about our presenter, Dr. Desmonette Hazly, and previous programs she's done here: https://lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/culture-health-and-wellness-our-cultural-heritage-affects-how-we

Here's more info about Saturday's event: https://lapl.org/whats-on/events/mind-body-health-wellness%E2%80%A8workshop-and-community-brainstorming

Hope to see you Saturday!

It's time to reveal the answer to the last round of our new game, "Way Back... When?"

This photo, titled "International airport", was taken in 1961 at the airport now known as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Previously known as Los Angeles Municipal Airport, it has been operating since the 1920s. However, the airport's Theme Building, depicted here, did not come about until the Space Age. It was codesigned by Paul R. Williams, the first certified African American architect west of the Mississippi. To view this image and get more information about it through Tessa, you can do a quick search for Order Number 00108871 at https://tessa.lapl.org/.

Thanks for playing! We'll be starting a new round next Wednesday.

Try our new guessing game "Way Back...When?" Every other Wednesday we'll post a picture from the Los Angeles Public Library's Photo Collection, Tessa. See if you can figure out when and where the photograph was taken. For this round we'll try something easy. Share your guess in the comments.

Answer next Whensday... (We can't promise we won't make this pun again.)