Do It. "This is Your Library."

Sure, everyone's always preaching about how we should save our public libraries, and obviously there's really no reason not to want to save your local library -- free books, entertainment, childhood memories, those poor librarians. But admittedly, it can be difficult to think of something that you could do that would actually help out the public spaces.

But now there's this: the Library Foundation of Los Angeles is taking steps to make the library cool again by hosting "This is Your Library." It's supposed to be the beginning of a new series of "late-night talk show-like events," featuring discussions with prominent people from and about the wonderful city of Los Angeles. There'll also be live music, DJs, food trucks and a bar, and overall just a good time hanging out at the library at night, appreciating L.A. Supporting the library can be pretty easy, right?

The kickoff of the series is Thursday (tomorrow) night at 7:30pm at the Central Library downtown, and it's going off with a bang: among the featured guests for the night is LA Weekly's own food critic guru Jonathan Gold, Stuff White People Like's Christian Lander, Black Flag/Circle Jerks' Keith Morris, Latin musician and up-and-comer Ceci Bastida and the band The Holloys. It's a pretty eclectic group, which should make for an interesting night. Tickets are $15 each, and remember, this is going to the Library Foundation, so it's all in goodness.

"This is Your Library" is taking place at the Central Library's Mark Taper Auditorium located at 630 W. Fifth St. in downtown.

And if you're still jonsing for a drink afterwards, head on over to my favorite Library Bar!

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Save the library.

Sometimes it is really astonishing that there is a place where you can get books, including new releases, books on CD and tape, movies, music, have them for a few weeks, and then return them -- for free. But with city budget cuts, the free part may not hold true anymore and some fear new costs might be added to a place that is already declining in popularity.

Today LA's mayor and the city council are hearing out concerned citizens at 10:30 a.m. for a meeting on the fate of the LA's Central Library, and the more people that show to support the library, the better. You can also sign the petition to save the library, in case you had plans at 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Public Library is really a wonder, with seven stories of book choices, fantastic art deco architecture, free computer access, comfy chairs to nap in, more choices than Barnes & Nobles and, oh yeah, they're free.

What more can you ask for?

Meeting is scheduled to take place at 10:30 a.m. at 200 N. Spring Street, John Ferraro Council Chambers in Downtown.

-- Lauren Williams