The O'Brien Memorial Library: Red Fire, Blue River
Executive produced by past ALA president Emily Drabinski and directed by filmmaker Nikita K. Carpenter Jr., Red Fire, Blue River is a short documentary film about the history of The O'Brien Memorial Library, from its founding as a lending library in 1928, to its moment in the spotlight as featured on Charles Kuralt's On the Road in 1983, to its destruction by fire in 2020 and subsequent rebuilding. Librarians and volunteers tell the story of how the Blue River Library's community banded together to raise funds to clean up and rebuild, and in November 2024, the library reopened for full service.
As Board of Directors President Connie Richardson explains, "For the community to see the library coming back, just the resiliency…of what a small group of people can do with the support of so many…it's like a lighthouse, like a beacon that says hey…we can do it, so can you."
Watch the short documentary here (7 minutes, 18 seconds).
Relief for California's Libraries
JANUARY, 2025: The American Library Association extends our deepest sympathies to those who continue to be affected and to those who have already lost everything in the Los Angeles area wildfires. We know of one library that went up in flames: the Palisades Public Library. Libraries are vital lifelines in times of crisis, providing refuge, resources, and essential services. Please consider donating to the ALA Disaster Relief Fund to help restore library services and support the communities they serve. Read ALA's Statement
Across the country, communities like Blue River look to their libraries in times of crisis. The American Library Association supports libraries just like this one, and we invite you to join us.
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Donate to the Disaster Relief Fund . Support the American Library Association
Find out how you can help support Emily's latest documentary about libraries and community, This Place is Our Place, and read her Road to Annual blog here: https://www.ala.org/road-to-annual.
