Local Artists Featured During Library Week

The Pacoima branch of the Los Angeles Public Library will mark National Library Week with free discussions by two artists with local roots.

Painter Edward Garcia, who created the mural “Saturday Morning,” which adorns the wall of the children’s section of the library, will discuss his work and technique at 6 tonight.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, novelist Mary Helen Ponce will talk about her book, “Hoyt Street.” library officials said.

Garcia painted “Saturday Morning” in the late 1970s to honor a friend who worked at the library before she died. The mural depicts a typical Pacoima street scene in the 1950s.

“It really is a nice touch in the children’s area of the library,” said Dagmar Lestrel, children’s librarian at the Pacoima branch. “For the older people it brings back memories of what Pacoima was like when they were young.” Lestrel said Ponce’s novel depicts the author’s experiences growing up in Pacoima.

“As you can imagine, it’s a very popular book in this branch,” Lestrel said.

The library is at 13605 Van Nuys Blvd. For information, call (818) 899-5203.