Library Services

680 – Monthly Highlights

Here are the July program highlights for the Santa Monica Public Library.  All programs are free and the public is cordially invited.

Summer Reading for children and teens continues in July.  The Reading Club is for independent readers, children ages 2 through 6 can join the Read-to-Me-Club, and Metamorphosis @ Your Library is for teens.  Sign-up any time throughout the summer at the Main Library and branch libraries. 

All ages are invited to attend the Summer Family Film Series Wednesday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. throughout July in the Main Library’s MLK Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.  The series begins on July 2 with Holes; the July 9 feature is The Muppet Movie; Akeelah and the Bee will screen on July 16; the July 23 feature is Surf’s Up; and Mary Poppins screens on July 23.  The series continues in August.

The monthly Literature Book Group will meet on Saturday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m. at the Fairview Branch, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd. to discuss Candide by Voltaire.  Join us to discuss this classic, a satirical novel by the noted 18^th Century philosopher that chronicles the misadventures of the naïve Candide, who continues to manifest his belief that “all is for the best” despite the injustice, despair, and suffering he encounters in life.

Library lovers won’t want to miss Carnegie Library Saturday at 2:00 p.m. on July 12 at the Ocean Park Branch, 2601 Main Street.  Historians and photographers Pat and Bernie Skehan present history and images of historic California Carnegie Libraries.  The Ocean Park Branch is one of 85 remaining Carnegie Libraries.

Creative teens won’t want to miss Transform Your…T-Shirt on Wednesday, July 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the Main Library.  Transform your old t-shirt into something unique before your eyes. Bring a t-shirt, we supply the rest!  For grades 6 through 12.

The Friends of the Santa Monica Public Library will hold a sale of special higher-value books on Saturday, July 19 at the Main Library Friends Bookstore.  The Book Sale will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Catch up with recent movie releases with the In Case You Missed It Movie Series at the Montana Branch, 1704 Montana Ave.  On Monday, July 28 at 2:00 p.m. the film The 11^th Hour  will screen.  Actor and well-known activist Leonardo DiCaprio produced this documentary about the global environment.  The film features leading scientists and thinkers discussing both their visionary and practical solutions for restoring the planet’s ecosystems. 

Local author Rita Lowenthal will discuss her book at One Way Ticket: Our Son’s Addiction to Heroin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29 in the Main Library’s Multipurpose Room.  One Way Ticket details the traumatic tale of her son Josh’s tragic addiction to heroin.  

A full calendar of Library events may be found on the City’s Community Events website at www.smgov.net.  Or call the Library’s general information line at (310) 458-8600.