THE STORY SPOT

Photo Credit: svenwerk via Flickr

Books? For free? Whatchatalkin’aboutWillis?

Recent economic troubles, it seems, has boosted library use. And why not? Libraries are in every community, often carry the latest releases, and are there just for you. So get back to your grade-school roots and check out and/or donate books. You’ll make your local librarian happy and re-discover the joy of sharing. Do it in time for the weekend and you’ll have picked up somewhere wonderful to get lost.

Related stories:
“Check It Out” at The Boston Globe
“Library Use is Booming Because of Recession” on Treehugger

Thanks @alissagrosso for the story tip. If you’re a Twitter follower and have an idea for THE STORY SPOT, DM us! We’d love to hear from you!

We heartily support 826LA and it’s with pleasure that we bring to you one event from their new series of seminars geared at adult writers. The Screenwriting seminar promises to be another winner. In true 826 fashion, they’re calling out the big talent (amazing screenwriters including two, yes TWO, Academy Award nominees and a host we all know and adore) to raise funds for the extraordinary program.

But don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself:

A bargain! And every penny goes towards a very worthy cause: literacy. Looks like there are 19 tickets left (after I snagged mine!) Get yours while they’re hot.

Visit 826LA Venice and 826LA Echo Park and pick up some goodies from the Time Travel Store while you’re there. There are always low-commitment volunteer opportunities available so ask someone, why dontcha?

Don’t live in Los Angeles, there are 826 chapters around the country:

826NYC
826 Seattle
826 Boston
826 Chicago
826 Valencia
826 Michigan

Here in Los Angeles, The Young Storytellers Foundation pairs writers and actors with kids who need help with literacy skills. Together, they write short screenplays, rehearse, then put on a “Big Show” where the young scribes can see their work come to life. It’s brilliant! So why not volunteer today? Schools served are all over town–there’s sure to be one near you.

Visit The Young Storytellers Foundation and tell them THE STORY SPOT sent you.

This morning, the Obama Administration launched www.serve.gov its program to encourage and support each of us to contribute to the health of our local communities. Here are a few ways in which we literary types might share our wealth:

• provide escape and hope by teaching children living in shelters to read adventure novels
• record audiobooks for the visually impaired
• introduce kids to the world of creating comic books and graphic novels
• work with adults in need to improve their literacy skills
• mentor middle-schoolers who, with your help, could make it to college
• put your perfectionism and love of books to good use

There’s a search engine powered by ALL FOR GOOD to help you find activities in your area. Or maybe you want to create something of your own. Just because the art of the word comes easy to us doesn’t mean it does to others. Reading and writing shaped your lives. Let’s give someone else a shot at the same good fortune.

That’s right, book lovers. It’s that time of year once again when the City of West Hollywood throws open its ever-lovin’ arms to welcome readers, writers, and aficionados of all things literary. It’s the 7th annual West Hollywood Book Fair and it’s going to be another beautiful Sunday afternoon in the California sunshine.

More intimate than the splendiferous LA Times Festival of Books, the WeHo Book Fair allows plenty of time and space to leisurely peruse works of local and international authors, chat up your favorites (Bradbury!), take in a spoken word performance or two, nosh and people-watch. All that plus free parking, free shuttle service, and free everything else.

Stop by. Your presence alone shows you care and supports the literary arts in your city.

The West Hollywood Book Fair
Sunday, September 28, 2008
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
West Hollywood Park
647 North San Vicente Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA

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