East Palo Alto Library Collection

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East Palo Alto Library Collection

Photographs and artifacts produced or donated by the East Palo Alto Library, documenting its history and commitment to the local community.

Photographs and artifacts produced or donated by the East Palo Alto Library, documenting its history and commitment to the local community.

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The first library in East Palo Alto was established in 1918 and was located in the Ravenswood Elementary School. In 1975, the Library moved to its present location on the ground floor of the Municipal Services Building at 2415 University Avenue. The East Palo Alto Library serves patrons through family engagement, adult literacy, after school programs, and summer camps.

Celebrating Us – East Palo Alto

Celebrating Us – East Palo Alto

A printed coloring book produced by a collaboration between the East Palo Alto Community Archive and the East Palo Alto Library. It depicts scenes from East...

Poetry Open Mic - 2010

Poetry Open Mic - 2010

Photograph from a poetry open mic event at the EPA Library in April 2010.

EPA Library Christmas Events - 2010

EPA Library Christmas Events - 2010

Photographs from Christmas events at the EPA Library in December 2010. Events featured a visit from Santa, a craft table, and treats.

EPA Library Patrons - 2001

EPA Library Patrons - 2001

Photographs of EPA Library patrons and book displays in July 2001.

EPA Librarian Eileen Retirement Party

EPA Librarian Eileen Retirement Party

Photographs from the retirement part for EPA Librarian Eileen in August 2001. Photographs feature other library staff members and Meda Okelo.

Black History Month Read-In - 2000

Black History Month Read-In - 2000

Photographs from a Black History Month Read-In event at the EPA Library. Readers included Teirrah McNair, City Manager Monika Hudson, Joan Sykes-Miessi, and...

Pacific Islander Program at EPA Library - 2000

Pacific Islander Program at EPA Library - 2000

Photographs from a Pacific Islander program at the EPA Library in May 2000. There were musical and dance performances by local PI community members and groups.

Magician Visit to EPA Library's Winter Reading Club

Magician Visit to EPA Library's Winter Reading Club

Photographs of a magician's performance for the EPA Library's Winter Reading Club in December 2000. The performance took place in the community room.

Happy Bird Presentation

Happy Bird Presentation

Photographs from a performance by Happy Bird, organized by the EPA Library in the late 1990s. The performance took place in the EPA community room.

José Luis Orozco Performance at EPA Library

José Luis Orozco Performance at EPA Library

Photographs from a performance by José Luis Orozco at the EPA Library in October 1999.

American American Read-In at the EPA Library

American American Read-In at the EPA Library

Photographs from the African American Read-In at the EPA Library in February 1997. Readers included Nobantu Ankoanda, Mrs. Roddy, and Carlos Morales. Some of...

Circus Susie Performance

Circus Susie Performance

Photographs from a performance by Circus Susie or "Circus Soozee" organized by the EPA Library in 1996.

Armando Ramirez Story Time - 1996

Armando Ramirez Story Time - 1996

Photographs from a Story Time with Armando Ramirez at the EPA Library in 1996.

Armando Ramirez Story Time - 1995

Armando Ramirez Story Time - 1995

Photographs from a Story Time with Armando Ramirez at the EPA Library during Hispanic Heritage Month in October 1995.

EPA HAS Historical Tour

EPA HAS Historical Tour

Photographs from a tour organized by EPA Historical and Agricultural Society (EPA HAS) to visit historical locations around the city. Locations included the...

Hispanic Heritage Month Festivals - 1995

Hispanic Heritage Month Festivals - 1995

Photographs from various Hispanic Heritage Month festivals organized by the EPA Library in October 1995. Festivals included guest speakers, dance performers,...

Black History Month Events at EPA Library - 1995

Black History Month Events at EPA Library - 1995

Photographs of the Black History Month events at the EPA Library in February 1995. People featured in the photos include Rebecca Hill-Long, Halili Knox,...

Kids Art "Open Space" at EPA Library

Kids Art "Open Space" at EPA Library

Photographs of a "Kids Art of Open Space" exhibit organized by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District at the EPA Library in February 1995.

Latino Children Musicians Performance

Latino Children Musicians Performance

Photographs of a performance of the Latino Children Musicians at the EPA Library in April 1995.

Women's History Month at EPA Library - 1994

Women's History Month at EPA Library - 1994

Photograph of the Women's History Month decorations at the EPA Library in March 1994.

EPA Library Summer Programming - 1994

EPA Library Summer Programming - 1994

Photographs from the EPA Library's Summer 1994 programming. The programs included a marionette show, drummers, a magic show, and book giveaways.

Maya Angelou Event Benefiting the EPA Teen House

Maya Angelou Event Benefiting the EPA Teen House

Photographs from an event with Maya Angelou at the Hyatt benefiting the EPA Teen House.

Latinx Heritage Month Events at EPA Library - 1994

Latinx Heritage Month Events at EPA Library - 1994

Photographs from various Latinx Heritage Month events at EPA Library in September and October 1994. Events included a carnival, crafting, music from Los...

Carmen's Goodbye Party

Carmen's Goodbye Party

Photographs from Carmen's goodbye party in the EPA community room. Guests included Meda Okelo, Jesse Norfleet, and others.

Black History Month Artist Event at EPA Library

Black History Month Artist Event at EPA Library

Photographs from a Black History Month Artist event at EPA Library in March 1994. Featured participants include Alma White and Trevor Burrowes.

Summer Reading Club at EPA Library - 1993

Summer Reading Club at EPA Library - 1993

Photographs from the EPA Library Summer Reading Club in June 1993. Includes photos of patrons and summer reading club displays.

Adopt-A-Magazine Display at EPA Library

Adopt-A-Magazine Display at EPA Library

Photographs of the Adopt-A-Magazine display at the EPA Library in June 1993.

Latino Forum at EPA Library

Latino Forum at EPA Library

Photographs from a Latino Forum at the EPA Library in October 1993. Featured panelists included Supervisor Ruben Barrales, Ruben Abrica, and Ruben Avelar.

Unsung Latinx Heroes Event at EPA Library

Unsung Latinx Heroes Event at EPA Library

Photographs from an event at the EPA Library celebrating unsung Latinx heroes in October 1993. Featured participants include Ruben Avelar, Georgina Peraza,...

EPA Library Patrons & Staff - 1993

EPA Library Patrons & Staff - 1993

Photographs of EPA Library patrons and staff members in 1993. Photos include volunteer Greg Hall in June 1993.

EPA Library Patrons & Staff - 1992

EPA Library Patrons & Staff - 1992

Photographs of EPA Library patrons and staff members from throughout 1992.

Overnight Read-In at the EPA Library

Overnight Read-In at the EPA Library

Photographs of young patrons attending an Overnight Read-In event at the EPA Library in March 1992.

Juneteenth Event with Carmaleit Oakes

Juneteenth Event with Carmaleit Oakes

Photographs from a Juneteenth event at the EPA Library honoring Carmaleit Oakes in June 1992.

EPA Library Juneteenth Fair Booth

EPA Library Juneteenth Fair Booth

Photographs of the EPA Library's booth at the Juneteenth Fair in June 1992.

EPA Library Holiday Party - 1992

EPA Library Holiday Party - 1992

Photograph from the Christmas holiday party at the EPA Library in December 1992.

Poetry Awards "Open Mic" at EPA Library

Poetry Awards "Open Mic" at EPA Library

Photographs from the Poetry Awards "Open Mic" event hosted by Kalamu Chache at the EPA Library in March 1992.

African American History Month Display at EPA Library

African American History Month Display at EPA Library

Photographs of the dolls and quilts on display during African American History Month at the EPA Library in February 1992. Some photographs are double...

Hispanic History Month Events at EPA Library - 1991

Hispanic History Month Events at EPA Library - 1991

Photographs from the Hispanic History Month Events at the EPA Library in September 1991. Events included a storyteller, folklorico dancers, and piñata making.

EPA Library Holiday Program - 1991

EPA Library Holiday Program - 1991

Photographs from the EPA Library Holiday Program in December 1991.

EPA Library YEP Summer Intern 1991

EPA Library YEP Summer Intern 1991

Photograph of Santiago, the YEP Summer Intern at the EPA Library. Santiago is regarded as the "best youth worker in that program we have ever had."

EPA Library Summer Puppet Show - 1991

EPA Library Summer Puppet Show - 1991

Photographs from a puppet show at the EPA Library in July 1991.

Storytelling Music Program at EPA Library

Storytelling Music Program at EPA Library

Photographs from the Storytelling Music Program at the EPA Library in July 1991.

Mystery Mansion Summer Reading Program at EPA Library

Mystery Mansion Summer Reading Program at EPA Library

Photograph of a young person participating in the Mystery Mansion Summer Reading Program at the EPA Library in 1991.

Summer Craft Program at EPA Library

Summer Craft Program at EPA Library

Photographs from the Summer Craft Program at the EPA Library in July 1991. Program featured puppet making along with other crafts.

Pacific Islander Performance at EPA Library

Pacific Islander Performance at EPA Library

Photographs from a performance of Pacific Islander dances and music at the EPA Library in August 1991.

Summer Reading Awards Party - 1991

Summer Reading Awards Party - 1991

Photographs from the EPA Library Summer Reading Awards Party in August 1991.

Juneteenth & African-American Family History Events - 1991

Juneteenth & African-American Family History Events - 1991

Photographs of Juneteenth & African-American Family History events at the EPA Library in June 1991. The Juneteenth Program featured Jeanne English, Dorothy...

Magician D.W. Wilson Visit to EPA Library

Magician D.W. Wilson Visit to EPA Library

Photographs of Magician D.W. Wilson visiting and performing for children at the EPA Library in June 1991.

EPA Library Summer Program Wrap-Up Party

EPA Library Summer Program Wrap-Up Party

Photographs from the EPA Library Summer Program wrap-up event in June 1991 featuring performers and presenters.

Hat Lady Program at EPA Library - July 1991

Hat Lady Program at EPA Library - July 1991

Photographs from The Hat Lady's presentation at the EPA Library in July 1991. Includes photos of patrons trying on the hats.

Black History Events at EPA Library - 1991

Black History Events at EPA Library - 1991

Photographs from Black History Month events at EPA Library in 1991. Includes photographs from a performance of students at the Shule Mandela Academy and a...

Story Reading with Elena Becks

Story Reading with Elena Becks

Photographs of Elena Becks reading during a story time at the EPA Library in April 1991.

Hat Lady Program at EPA Library - May 1991

Hat Lady Program at EPA Library - May 1991

Photographs from the hat maker Ella Frank's presentation at the EPA Library in May 1991. Includes photos of patrons trying on Frank's hat creations.

EPA Library Christmas Events - 1990

EPA Library Christmas Events - 1990

Photographs from Christmas events at the EPA Library in December 1990. Includes photos of children decorating trees and staff members at the Christmas party.

Puppet Show at EPA Library

Puppet Show at EPA Library

Photographs from a children's puppet show at the EPA Library in July 1990.

EPA Library Patrons - 1990

EPA Library Patrons - 1990

Photographs of EPA Library patrons in the library in 1990.

Girl Scout Reading Marathon Event at EPA Library

Girl Scout Reading Marathon Event at EPA Library

Photographs from the Girl Scout Reading Marathon Event at the EPA Library in August 1990. Scouts had snacks and dinner, an overnight slumber party, and read...

Palo Alto Park: Where Workingmen are Living - Peninsula Times Tribune

Palo Alto Park: Where Workingmen are Living - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA's Palo Alto Park neighborhood. Part of a series on Peninsula neighborhoods. Discusses the home values, occupations of Palo Alto Park...

The Williamses Return to Oklahoma - 23 Years and Many Friends Later - Peninsula Times Tribune

The Williamses Return to Oklahoma - 23 Years and Many Friends Later - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about Cecil and Velma Williams returning to Oklahoma after 23 years in EPA. Velma worked as a teacher in the Ravenswood City School District and...

Flyer for Cecil Williams

Flyer for Cecil Williams

Flyer advertising musician Cecil Williams. Provides information on his life and accomplishments, and provides contact information for people wanting to...

Cecil Williams in Africa - Unknown Publication

Cecil Williams in Africa - Unknown Publication

Article about Cecil Williams' recent trip to Lagos, Nigeria as a guest of the Nigerian government and a part of FESTAC, the Black and African Festival of...

Black Cowboys Relived - Ravenswood Post

Black Cowboys Relived - Ravenswood Post

Article about a performance by the Nairobian Wranglers in East Palo Alto. Includes photographs from the performance. Article is part of the Biographies...

Nairobian Wranglers Pluck Their Guitars and Sing the Legends 'of the Black Cowboy This Country Knew So Well' - Tempo

Nairobian Wranglers Pluck Their Guitars and Sing the Legends 'of the Black Cowboy This Country Knew So Well' - Tempo

Article about EPA's Cecil Williams and a musical cowboy trio called the Nairobian Wranglers that educate people about the history of Black cowboys through...

Her Concern: Black People, Her Goal: Social Change - Palo Alto Times

Her Concern: Black People, Her Goal: Social Change - Palo Alto Times

Profile of Gertrude Wilks' daughter, Patricia Wilks. Patricia attended her mother's Nairobi Schools and participated in the "sneak out," which enabled EPA...

She's Still Fighting for the Children - San Mateo Times

She's Still Fighting for the Children - San Mateo Times

Article about Gertrude Wilks and her contributions to EPA's children through her Nairobi Schools. Discusses the effects of drug dealing on her schools and...

Gertrude Wilks to Receive Award - Palo Alto Times

Gertrude Wilks to Receive Award - Palo Alto Times

Article about Gertrude Wilks being honored in Washington, D.C. by the Black Child Development Institute. Discusses the work and importance of the Black Child...

Musical Family Lives on Bell St. - Palo Alto Times

Musical Family Lives on Bell St. - Palo Alto Times

Article about EPA residents Winston Wheaton and his family being musically gifted; Mr. Wheaton directs the children's choir at St. Francis of Assisi Church...

Tough Street - Metropolis

Tough Street - Metropolis

Article about EPA resident Dennis Scherzer's experience living in EPA. Discusses the drug dealers in the area, local violence, and how Scherzer escapes into...

Songwriter Signs a Contract, Steps Closer to His Goal - Peninsula Times Tribune

Songwriter Signs a Contract, Steps Closer to His Goal - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA resident Robert Roland signing a songwriting contract with Total Experience Production and moving his family from EPA to Hollywood....

Articles about Herbert Rhodes - Ravenswood Post

Articles about Herbert Rhodes - Ravenswood Post

Brief articles about EPA leader Herbert Rhodes. Covers his appointment as the minority employment representative at Stanford University and a speech Rhodes...

Letha Powell Honored for Helping Children - Peninsula Times Tribune

Letha Powell Honored for Helping Children - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about Letha Powell being honored for her years of community service at a special luncheon organized by the EPA Municipal Council. Details Powell's...

Decorating the Municipal Building Christmas Tree - Ravenswood Post

Decorating the Municipal Building Christmas Tree - Ravenswood Post

Photograph of Letha Powell decorating the Christmas tree at the San Mateo County EPA Municipal Service Building. The tree was donated by the San Mateo County...

Senior Daisy Pollard Retired as Cashier at East Palo Alto Senior Center - Buffalo Soldier

Senior Daisy Pollard Retired as Cashier at East Palo Alto Senior Center - Buffalo Soldier

Article about EPA's Daisy Pollard retiring from her position as the cashier at the EPA Senior Club and Senior Center. Pollard's years of dedication and hard...

Henry Organ Working at Stanford - Palo Alto Times

Henry Organ Working at Stanford - Palo Alto Times

Article about EPA resident Henry "Hank" Organ becoming an administrative staff trainee at Stanford University. Organ was the first black trustee of the...

Nicholson Goes to New York - San Mateo County Advocate

Nicholson Goes to New York - San Mateo County Advocate

Article about EPA resident and Miss EPA 1975, Diane Nicholson, competing in an international modeling contest sponsored by the American Modeling Association...

East Palo Alto Mayor Gets National Office - Peninsula Times Tribune

East Palo Alto Mayor Gets National Office - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA Mayor Barbara Mouton being elected as the third vice-president of the National Conference of Black Mayors. Includes an interview with...

Black Mayors: A Growing Political Force - Ebony Magazine

Black Mayors: A Growing Political Force - Ebony Magazine

Profile of EPA Mayor, Nairobi Day School founder, and EPA Senior Center executive director Barbara Mouton. Gives an overview of EPA's unique political...

A 'Scrapophony' of Sound at 20th 'Birthday Concert' - Peninsula Times Tribune

A 'Scrapophony' of Sound at 20th 'Birthday Concert' - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA's Herb Moore the 'found object' instruments he uses to create music. Includes an interview with Moore and details about an upcoming...

The Groom Gets Groomed - Peninsula Times Tribune

The Groom Gets Groomed - Peninsula Times Tribune

Photograph of Jettie Walker, advisor of the EPA 4-H Club helping a student fix their uniform during a livestock show and auction at the San Mateo County...

Airing Her Laundry - Peninsula Times Tribune

Airing Her Laundry - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA actress H. Tierrah McNair and her one-woman show, "Dirty Laundry," which she was staging as a benefit for the EPA Cultural Arts Center at...

On African Values - Peninsula Times Tribune

On African Values - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about Kofi Lomotey, the president of the Council of Independent Black Institutions (CIBI). Lomotey was personally involved with three local EPA...

East Palo Altans Have a Lawyer of Their Own - Peninsula Times Tribune

East Palo Altans Have a Lawyer of Their Own - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA lawyer Donald Lawson. Discusses his professional goals, his perspective on the legal needs of EPA residents, and his path to becoming a...

John L. Law, Charity Group Founder, Dies - Palo Alto Times

John L. Law, Charity Group Founder, Dies - Palo Alto Times

Article about the recent death of EPA resident, founder of Emergency Needs to Our Poor (ENTOP), and former member of the EPA Neighborhood Council, John L....

Charlie's Challenge - Peninsula Times Tribune

Charlie's Challenge - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about Ravenswood City School District superintendent Charlie Mae Knight's vision for the district and plan to improve the schools after one year in...

Hope in the Halls - Ravenswood Post

Hope in the Halls - Ravenswood Post

Article about Charlie Mae Knight, the new superintendent of the Ravenswood City School District. Discusses the Ravenswood School Board's tentative settlement...

Student's Summer Visit to Greece - A Vacation that Changed His Life - Peninsula Times Tribune

Student's Summer Visit to Greece - A Vacation that Changed His Life - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA's Ken Jones visiting Greece and being transformed "from a high school jock into a serious student." Includes an interview with Jonas about...

East Palo Alto Pays Tribute to Two Community Servants - The Metro Reporter

East Palo Alto Pays Tribute to Two Community Servants - The Metro Reporter

Article about a celebration in honor of EPA Chief Administrator Dr. Victor James and Lieutenant Ken Frank. Both men received a certificate of appreciation by...

E. Palo Altan Crowned Foothill Homecoming Queen - Palo Alto Times

E. Palo Altan Crowned Foothill Homecoming Queen - Palo Alto Times

Article about EPA's Gwen Jackson being crowned the Foothill Junior College homecoming queen. Jackson attended Sunnyvale High School and worked at the...

Luncheon to Honor EPA Councilman Jackson

Luncheon to Honor EPA Councilman Jackson

Article about EPA Municipal Council member and OICW Board of Directors Chairman Clarence Jackson Jr. being honored by the directors of OICW at a luncheon....

Creativity Bursts Into Full Bloom - Redwood City Tribune

Creativity Bursts Into Full Bloom - Redwood City Tribune

Article about EPA resident and artist Mary Ann Hyman, who makes paper flowers and oil paintings. Gives background on her creative works to benefit neighbors...

The Post-Howell Era - Peninsula Times Tribune

The Post-Howell Era - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about Fred Howell being forced out of his position as City Manager. Includes a review of Howell's accomplishments during his 2.5 years as EPA City...

E. Palo Alto Names First Manager - Peninsula Times Tribune

E. Palo Alto Names First Manager - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about the appointment of Fred Howell as EPA's first City Manager. Includes interview with Howell and her perspective on working with the City Council...

East Palo Alto's New Man - Peninsula Times Tribune

East Palo Alto's New Man - Peninsula Times Tribune

Photo of the new EPA City Manager, Fred Howell, following his first days in the position. Part of the Biographies binder compiled by the EPA Library.

How John Head's Hard Work, Tenacity Paid Off - Peninsula Times Tribune

How John Head's Hard Work, Tenacity Paid Off - Peninsula Times Tribune

Photograph and profile of John Head. John Head was the proprietor of Head's Market, a local grocery store, and was very involved in local organizations....

Superintendent Returns: Ravenswood Hires Hayman for Top Spot - Peninsula Times Tribune

Superintendent Returns: Ravenswood Hires Hayman for Top Spot - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about Warren Hayman being re-hired as the superintendent of the Ravenswood City School District. Includes background on and interview with Hayman....

East Palo Alto Filmwriter Gets Her Big Break - Peninsula Times Tribune

East Palo Alto Filmwriter Gets Her Big Break - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about EPA mother Elaine Haygood. Includes interview with Haygood, an overview of the script she's working on, and her path to the American Film...

Hattie Dorsey Harlow - A People's Champion - Peninsula Times Tribune

Hattie Dorsey Harlow - A People's Champion - Peninsula Times Tribune

Profile of Hattie Dorsey and her work at the Stanford Mid-Peninsula Urban Coalition. Dorsey worked to achieve better health care for pregnant teenagers in...

Sheriff's Deputy Alvin Green to be First Black Sergeant - Peninsula Times Tribune

Sheriff's Deputy Alvin Green to be First Black Sergeant - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about Alvin Green, Jr. becoming the first black person to make sergeant at the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department's EPA substation. Includes...

Nairobi Mayor Finally Resigns in Protest Over White's Death - Ravenswood Post

Nairobi Mayor Finally Resigns in Protest Over White's Death - Ravenswood Post

Article about EPA Municipal Councilwoman Willia Gray resigning from the Council and any San Mateo County governing bodies she served on. The resignation was...

Goode Named to University Post - Peninsula Times Tribune

Goode Named to University Post - Peninsula Times Tribune

Article about former EPA Municipal Council administrative officer Kenneth Goode being appointed to the assistant vice-president of the State University of...

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