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Altadena Library reopens to the community for fun, games and a LeVar Burton reading
Kids wait in line for free copies of LeVar Burton's book, 'The Rhino Who Swallowed A Storm,' at the grand reopening of the Altadena Library
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Evan Jacoby
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LAist
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Today marks the grand reopening of the Altadena Library. The beloved community space was spared by the Eaton Fire, and after a short period of closure for fire-related clean up, it's welcoming hundreds of Altadenans who gathered to celebrate its return.
"We wanted to have a really big carnival feel," Altadena Library director Nikki Winslow said. "Free food, giveaways... also Clifford the Big Red Dog, so it should be a really fun event."
The day's main attraction is story time by education advocate and actor LeVar Burton.
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Altadena main library reopens to special LeVar Burton reading time
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"We want everybody back as well as to be able to interact with LeVar and hear him read a story," Winslow said.
Thousands of Altadena residents lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, and many more were displaced. But today felt like the community getting back on its feet, says Jean Courtney, a long time resident whose home was destroyed.
Children wait in line to take photographs with Clifford The Big Red Dog at the Altadena Library reopening.
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Evan Jacoby
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LAist
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"I see happy faces, no sad faces," Courtney says. "I see a group of happy people who are forgetting about all of this mess."
Courtney says the only thing of hers that survived the fire was her vegetable garden, " as if the ashes enriched the soil." She says it's a perfect metaphor for the gathering at the library today.
Altadenans gathered for free books, cotton candy, and a live reading by LeVar Burton.
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Evan Jacoby
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LAist
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For Altadena, an unincorporated area without a formal city center, the library was seen by many as something of a city hall.
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Matt Dangelantonio, a colleague at LAist and longtime Altadena resident, was there with his young son Luca. " Being able to be back here after being displaced from our home," he says, is really special.
"And obviously when LeVar Burton's right around the corner reading stories, you come," he adds.
Kids wait in line for free copys of LeVar Burton's book, 'The Rhino Who Swallowed A Storm,' at the grand reopening of the Altadena Library
(
Evan Jacoby
/
LAist
)
Burton, the Star Trek star turned children's book author, said he was here today to keep the spotlight on the Altadena community as they begin to rebuild.
"Altadena traditionally is one of those communities where people who looked like me were welcomed and could purchase homes," Burton said. "The American dream is alive and well in Altadena – today, tomorrow, and every day."
A spread from LeVar Burton's book, 'The Rhino Who Swallowed A Storm.'
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LeVar Burton
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Burton read one of his children's book, The Rhino Who Swallowed A Storm, which is about a community of animals who lost their homes after a tremendous storm. The titular rhino tries to swallow the storm to save his town, but ends up needing to rely on his community to save himself.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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