(top) Jesse Nathaniel, AKA 'Mr. Jesse' reads 'Knitty Kitty' at Ocean Park Branch Library during 'Story Time for Toddlers' on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. (above) Thomas Tourraine, 2, plays during 'Story Time for Toddlers' at Ocean Park Branch Library.

A group of Santa Monica Librarians AKA “Book Mob” simultaneously read-aloud excerpts from 'The Shadow Catcher,' by acclaimed author Marianne Wiggins at the Third Street Promenade on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, in support of literacy and to promote the Citywide Reads program. The book mob handed out free copies of the The Shadow Catcher.

The book mob is based on the concept of a flash mob - a group of people who gather together suddenly and perform an unusual action.

Citywide reads is an annual program presented by the Santa Monica Public Library encouraging the community to read and discuss a book together. This years’ selection is The Shadow Catcher. Citywide Reads events and book discussions officially begin on March 7.

(top) Photographer, Gilbert "Gil" Garcetti, 67, former LA County D. A., discusses his book, "Water is Key" during The Senior Arts Foundation's Arts & Community Forum 'Gil Garcetti: My Story, Act II' at the Main Library on Wednesday, January 21, 2009. (above)  Garcetti signs his book during the forum. Garcetti has always been an avid urban photographer. During his time as District Attorney he would carry a small camera with him at all times. After leaving the DA's office, Garcetti focused on art photography, initially producing two collections on the Walt Disney Concert Hall: Iron: Erecting the Walt Disney Concert Hall, focusing on the ironworkers who constructed the landmark, and Frozen Music, focusing on the finished building itself. Photos from these works were featured in an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution's National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. and at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. His most recent exhibition, Dance in Cuba: Photographs by Gil Garcetti, was featured at the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History in Spring 2006.

(1) Lesleigh Owen, self-proclaimed "fat activist," who stands up for the rights of plus-size people, speaks with her "reader," David Tandet, during  Santa Monica Public Library’s first Living Library on Saturday, October 18, 2008. (2) Feminist and President of the Hollywood chapter of the National Organization for Women, Lindsey Horvath, 26, speak to her reader, Lucy Baddeley. (3) Santa Monica High School student, Desire Johnson, 17, (left) and feminist, Lindsey Horvath, 26, speak with their readers. (4) Buddhist Michelle Berk, speaks with her reader, Ariella Umansky, 9. (5) Cancer Survivor, Judy Lapatka, speaks with her reader, King Ismail, 32.

A Buddhist, a teenager, a nudist and a raw foodist were just a few of the 'Living Books' who were available to be check out for a 30 minute conversation at Santa Monica Public Library’s first Living Library on Saturday. During this unique event, a group of 14 volunteers served as “Living Books” who shared their personal life stories with a “Reader”. It was an opportunity to bring together people who have special interests, beliefs or experiences to speak with people from different backgrounds to share their personal story. Books and Readers had the opportunity to speak in private and personally in a structured, protected, free space within a limited time but without any further commitment. Once returned they could borrow another Book. The Living Library idea is simple – a personal conversation can break down prejudices and pre-conceptions and dialogue fosters understanding and tolerance.

Santa Monica Public Library was the first in a wave of libraries across the United States to host a Living Library. Greg Mullen, City Librarian, says of the Living Library event “Santa Monica Public Library is proud to host this innovative and unique event that will allow the community to come together to learn more about each other. “ The Living Library Project was first presented in 2000 to the public in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival. Since then, it has been adopted by organizations in Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Portugal.

(top) Virginia Fields, LACMA curator, gives a PowerPoint presentation during the community art forum, 'Bridging the Past to the Future,' at the Santa Monica Library on Saturday, March 15, 2008. (above) left to right - Yvonne Szafran, Getty Museum Conservator; Virginia Fields, LACMA Curator, Ho Nguen, Santa Monica Historical Society Museum and Dr. Richard Baum, African art collector, discussed how to protect works of art, photographs, letters and other family memorabilia during the public art forum. The art forum was presented by the www.seniorartsfoundation.org.  

 (1) Actor  Ed Edwards,  Chairman of the Santa Monica Library Board, reads Dr. Seuss' ''Horton Hears a Who" while librarian Ann Wagner shows illustrations from the book during  Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica's  Super Seuss-a-bration at the Santa Monica Public Library on Saturday, March 8, 2008. (2) Actress Amy Brenneman (Private Practice) reads 'Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You' during the Super Seuss-a-bration. (3) Kindergartner Grisha Mason, 5, assists  Magician/Entertainer Abbit the Average with a magic trick. (4) The Cat in the Hat, Kiwanis President Janie Harding, reads a Dr, Seuss book to first-graders Lilly Brodie, 7, (left) and Caitlin Kelly, 7, (center) at the Santa Monica Library during the event.  (5) Ariel King, 3, plays with the cats hat.