A.K. Smiley Public Library

Serving the City of Redlands, California since 1894

Established in 1894, A.K. Smiley Public Library has served generations of patrons in the City of Redlands and beyond. The only “admission fee” is curiosity. Lifelong learning is at the center of activity in the beautiful, historic building and attractive grounds!

News + Events

Holiday Sing Along on December 14

The Lincoln Memorial Shrine will celebrate the holiday season with a Holiday Sing Along featuring the Camp Carleton Band on Saturday, December 14 at 11am in Smiley Park. From timeless classics like “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night”, to songs that have dropped out of popular use, come, sing, and learn about the holiday music of the Civil War.

The holidays were a trying time during the American Civil War.  Soldiers separated from families, the loss of loved ones, and the horrors of war were at the forefront of people’s minds.  Music and thoughts of the holidays provided a respite from the harsh realities around them and served as a boost to the morale of Americans on both sides of the conflict. Several of today’s beloved carols and hymns have their origins during the war, while others were passed down through generations by different cultures.

The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required. This event draws a large crowd each year, so early arrival is strongly recommended. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the Assembly Room of A.K. Smiley Public Library. For more information, please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org. Program subject to change.

Honoring Veterans Day

"Over There" WWI illustrationDue to scheduling conflicts, A.K. Smiley Public Library’s program commemorating Veterans Day has changed. Join us on Saturday, November 9 at 11am in the Assembly Room and on Zoom with a presentation by Smiley Library Director Don McCue. “Over There: Redlands Men in France,” will focus on Redlanders who served during World War I. From Cantigny and Belleau Wood to St. Mihiel and the Meuse Argonne, men from Redlands participated in all of America’s great 1918 battles and 40 would make the ultimate sacrifice.

This event is free and open to the public. To watch from home, please select the following link on the day of the program:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88067287856. Registration is not required.

A.K. Smiley Public Library is located at 125 W. Vine Street in Redlands. If you have any questions, please contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 and heritage@akspl.org. Program subject to change.

About the Presenter…

Since 2013, Don McCue has been the director of A.K. Smiley Public Library. For 26 years prior to that, he was the library’s Archivist and Head of Special Collections, including serving as Curator of the Library’s Lincoln Memorial Shrine. In that role, he honed his interest in military history and America’s veterans. Although not a veteran himself, Don’s interest began when asking his father, Raymond McCue, about his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Teen Clay Hand Building Workshop

 

Teen Clay Hand Building Workshop with Redlands Pottery Project
Teen makers, come make stuff with us!
Redlands Pottery Project will be here to teach a clay hand building workshop! Space is limited and registration is required, so don’t hesitate to sign up below if you’re interested. 🙂
Clay Hand Building Workshop with Redlands Pottery Project
Ages 13-19
Saturday, November 16
2-4pm
The Assembly Room at A.K. Smiley Public Library
FREE!
Click here to register!

Dia De Los Muertos 2024

 

Join the A.K. Smiley Public Library as we celebrate Día de Los Muertos 2024 with our theme “Día Around the World”! 🌼🦋

Date: November 1st, 2024

Midday Event: 11 AM to 2 PM @ Smiley Park, MC Mario Saucedo, Redlands City Council Member

This festive event is FREE and open to all ages! Come together with our community to honor and celebrate the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos with:

Complementary Meal Tacos, Taquitos, and Ice Cream! While supplies last.
Fun activities for kids and families, such as sugar skulls and face painting!
Live music provided by Paty Luevano!
Contests for teen art and Catrina-Calavera costumes!

Evening Event: 6 PM to 8 PM @ The Contemporary Club, MC Dr. Rosa Gomez, Smiley Library VP

Join us at the Contemporary Club in the eventing for musical and cultural performances by Armando Castaneda-Bravo, Ana Gonzalez Jorgensen, and St. Mary’s Ballet Folklorico! Additionally, the community ofrendas provided by local organizations and families will be on display.

Bring the whole family and immerse yourself in this beautiful cultural tradition. Whether you’re learning about the holiday for the first time or continuing your own traditions, there’s something for everyone. We can’t wait to see you there!

Anniversary Event on November 16

Don’t miss the Lincoln Memorial Shrine’s commemoration of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address on Saturday, November 16 at 11am in Smiley Park.

Local favorites the Mountain Fifes and Drums and Camp Carleton Band will perform alongside an artillery demonstration by the ever-popular 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. The event will include a riveting recitation of the speech by Lincoln presenter Robert Broski.

President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863 to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The much-anticipated ceremony brought closure following the bloody three-day Battle of Gettysburg that wreaked havoc on the community the previous July. The president’s brief, but powerful speech is widely considered to be the best public address of his career and one of the most important in our nation’s history.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, please call the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632. Program subject to change.

About the bands:

The Camp Carleton Cornet Band is a group of Southern California musicians committed to keeping true with the tradition of military bands during the American Civil War. This brass and drum ensemble maintains the traditional sounds with instruments appropriate for the era.  Camp Carleton was the largest of several military camps in San Bernardino, California. It was established 1861 by Captain William A. McCleave as a detachment of the 1st Regiment  California Volunteer Cavalry and was originally built on the north bank of the Santa Ana River in an area now known as Waterman Avenue.

The Mountain Fifes and Drums teaches music, history, discipline, leadership, and responsibility to the youth of the San Bernardino Mountain areas, free of charge. They perform eighteenth-century military music in the uniforms of George Washington’s Continental Army in around 25 performances every year, including such events as the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade, the Hollywood Christmas Parade and Drummers Call in Colonial Williamsburg. Their higher-ranking musicians form a special group called the Mountineers, that gives several performances each year in Civil War uniforms, playing the music of the American Civil War.