Things to do in Beverly Hills When it's Sunday

My favorite time of day in LA is morning, in particular, Sunday morning. You can actually go out and find few cars on the road. The city feels fresh and untrampled (not a word, but I like it). So, strolling through Beverly Hills one Sunday morning with the stroller (and my new Starbucks cup holder*) Starbucks mocha at my side, I wandered into the Beverly Hills Library. I quickly ran back out and told my DH to stash the dog in the nearby car and come inside.

It just doesn't feel like your average library. Westwood, Santa Monica, even Venice have "nice" libraries but the BH library was inviting, especially the children's section.

We strolled inside and looked around. Did you know they have a Passport service? I need mine updated and this sure beats wherever else you'd go. They also have a Book Club and volunteer literacy and tutoring programs.

They also have an amazing collection of letters under glass cases. I don't know if this is an exhibit or permanent display. It's fascinating to look at Mark Twain and Fitzgerald's handwriting and typewritten letters. I think there's political letters in there as well, a handwritten note from Nancy and President Regan, something from Lincoln. I have to go back sometime and read through all the literary examples they display.

Online, they offer some great database searches, NoveList, Readers Guide Retrospective, What do I Read Next? list of over 100,000 recommended titles and genre function search... actually I've been clicking 'refresh' on their website and the list of resources they have is amazing, databases to access mock GRE and other rests; biography research, news database of full text newspapers, and Literature research, a digital image database, and an antique database.

The good news for you Bluestocking LA readers, you only have to live in either BH, LA or Orange County to get a library card and avail yourself of these services. If you live outside BH you can get a card if you meet certain criteria. I'm the type of person to get excited in a paper store or a library. I could spend hours there. Maybe I will. I'm on my way out the door right now...

*check back, to be posted later