All LA County Library locations will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025 for a Day of Mourning to honor former President Jimmy Carter. Due dates and holds expiring on Jan 9 will be extended to Jan 16. Our Digital Library remains available 24/7.
César Chávez was an American labor leader and civil rights activist who used perseverance, humility, and non-violent methods to better the lives of farmworkers who were working in unsafe conditions for low pay. Together with Dolores Huerta and Filipino labor groups, they created the United Farmworkers Union which fought for the rights of laborers.
César Chávez led strikes, marches, and even undertook a personal hunger strike to raise awareness for his causes. His efforts changed the lives of many people, and in recognition for his nonviolent activism and support of working people, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994.
When is César Chávez Day?
March 31 is César Chávez’ birthday and is now a US federal commemorative holiday, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. The holiday celebrates the birth and legacy of Cesar Chavez on March 31 of every year.
How can LA County Library help me observe César Chávez Day?
Below, we have specially curated booklists for all ages that aim to expand everyone’s understanding of César Chávez’ life and legacy. We also have selected documentary titles available for rent at your library in addition to websites that further explore Chávez’ history and how his vision is still helping workers today.
Be sure to watch the special commemoration video by LA County First District Supervisor, Hilda Solis.
LA County Library offers many citizenship and immigration resources. If you are seeking information on how to become a citizen of the United States, visit our Citizenship and Immigration page to learn more about the resources available to you.
These documentaries explore the life and work of César Chávez and the Farmworker movement.
Cesar Chavez
The story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers.
Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers
The Delano Manongs tells the story of farm labor organizer Larry Itliong and a group of Filipino farm workers who instigated one of the American farm labor movement’s finest hours – The Delano Grape Strike of 1965 that brought about the creation of the United Farm Workers Union (UFW).
Dolores
This film chronicles the life of Dolores Huerta, one of the most important activists of our time. She was an equal partner in founding the first farm workers union with César Chávez. With unprecedented access to this intensely private mother of 11, Peter Bratt’s film chronicles Huerta’s life from her childhood to her years with the United Farm Workers to her continued work as a fearless activist.
The Land is Rich
The Land Is Rich documents the United Farm Workers struggle to organize California farm workers in the early 1960’s. It includes their march from Delano to Sacramento in the spring of 1966. The film contrasts the economic strength of California agribusiness with the migrant workers’ poverty shown in bread lines, living conditions and the impact of extensive exposure to agricultural chemicals.
Resources
These resources further explore Chávez’ history and how his vision is still helping workers today.
Cesar Chavez Foundation
The Chavez Foundation works to provide better housing, education and communication for working families. The site is great resource for learning about Cesar and how his vision is still being pursued today.
United Farm Workers
Begun in the early 1960s by Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, and other organizers, the United Farm Workers of America is the nation’s first enduring and largest farm workers’ union.
Farmworker Movement Documentation Project
Primary source accounts: photographs, oral histories, videos, essays and historical documents from the United Farm Worker Delano Grape Strikers and the UFW Volunteers who worked with Cesar Chavez to build his farmworker movement.
Many of our libraries offer enhanced resources, computers, and online services to support your homework needs. Check with your local library!
Kindle Paperwhite eReader
Welcome to a New Way to Read...
Have you walked into a library and wished you could check out more books than you could possibly carry? Check out a Kindle Paperwhite at participating libraries with a collection of titles that you are sure to enjoy. Each Kindle has been loaded with expert-selected books.
You don’t need internet access - all the books are pre-loaded onto the Kindle so you are ready to read.
Three week checkout
Renew up to 3 times, as long as no one else is waiting
Must be 18 or older (or under 18 with parent permission)
eBooks cannot be added to this device by user
How do I get one?
Visit a participating library to check out or place a hold on a Kindle Paperwhite. Kindles are not sent to other libraries for pick up.
Note: Selection of genres varies per library. Click on a library below to see the list of genres.
Library Locations with eReaders
Click on the library to view list of genres available.
Terms of Service and Laptop Library Locations
Laptops in this kiosk can be checked out by customers with a LA County Library card in good standing. The laptop is due back in the kiosk before the library closes on the same day it is checked out.
If you do not return the laptop to the kiosk on the same day you check it out, your library account will be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
When you check out a laptop from this kiosk, you agree to use it within the library only. If you remove the laptop from the library, you may held criminally responsible for theft of the laptop and/or be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.
You are responsible for the laptop and you agree that you will reimburse the LA County Library for any damages if the laptop is damaged, lost or stolen while checked out to you.
If you check out a laptop and it is damaged, you will give it to library staff immediately.
You must save to a removable storage device (such as a USB drive) since your work will not be saved to the laptop beyond your current checkout.
LA County Library will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of data or media due to any cause while you are using a laptop from this kiosk.
By using this laptop, you must adhere to the Library’s Acceptable Use Policy. Laptops are available at the following libraries:
With your LA County Library card, you can download or stream eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, music, and movies on your computer, tablet, or phone. It's free and you'll never have to worry about overdue fines!
You'll need a library card in good standing and a PIN to access most downloadable & streaming content.
Consumer Health Information Program
The Consumer Health Information Program assists the public with medical research by providing information from reliable sources. Customers are invited to use the Norwalk Library collection which consists of books, magazines, videos, and online databases related to health topics. We also provide individualized research services.
Please be aware, we do not provide medical advice, nor are the materials we provide a substitute for a professional medical opinion.
What Can We Do for You?
We can provide you with information on topics such as:
Medical conditions or diseases
Prescription medications
Surgical procedures
General physician and hospital information
Book and website recommendations for further reading
A Family Place Library is a center for early childhood information, parent education, emergent literacy, socialization, and family support. Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development. Each Family Place Library features the following core elements:
A bright, colorful, and welcoming space for young children and their parents.
A collection of books, toys, videos, music, and other materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers
Access to resources that emphasize emergent literacy, reading readiness, and parent education.
Developmentally appropriate programming, such as baby and toddler storytimes for younger children and their parents.
Outreach to new and underserved populations.
The Parent-Child Workshop is a five-week workshop featuring local professionals, such as nutritionists, speech and language therapists, and child development experts, who serve as resources for parents.
The first three years of a child's life lay the foundation for learning. Get the tools and resources you need to give your child the best possible start.
Great! Thank you for sharing your photos with Catalina PhotoShare, a community history project of LA County Library.
Your photos will be reviewed and if they meet the criteria, they will be added to the Catalina PhotoShare online collection.
If you have any questions, please contact: digitalprojects@library.lacounty.gov
LA County Library Californiana Collection
Accessing the Collection
The Californiana Collection is in closed stacks at the Norwalk Library located at 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650.
About the Collection
The Californiana Collection consists of over 24,000 books and over 200 magazine and newspaper titles in paper and on microfilm as well as a collection of state documents including state and county budgets. The goal of this collection is to present a complete picture of the history, culture, environment and artistic expression of the people of California and to some extent, the western United States.
Collection Highlights
California Census Schedules from 1850 to 1910
Copies of The Alta California newspaper 1849-1891, as well as dozens of other 19th century newspapers from Gold Rush boomtowns, the Owens Valley and San Francisco
Official city and county histories from the 19th and 20th centuries
Materials on the Donner Party, California water projects, famous California crimes, Hollywood culture, biographies of Californians, pioneer narratives of the early days of California, and histories of the state written over the course of 150 years
Who Was César Chávez?
Cesar Chavez
Delano Manongs: Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers
Dolores
The Land is Rich
