Altadena Library reopens to the community for fun, games and a LeVar Burton reading

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.

"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.

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

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Evan Jacoby

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LAist

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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.