English or Chinese, Library Has the Story

Gather ‘round, children. Grandma’s going to read you a story.

Do you like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs?” Or “Curious George Goes to the Hospital?” What about “Dr. Sun Yat-sen?”

In English, or Chinese?

At the Chinatown branch of the Los Angeles Public Library, there are 30,000 titles in Chinese, the largest collection among the system’s 64 branches. In the stacks you can find books about the origins of the Moon Festival, translations of Hans Christian Andersen tales, and biographies of Chinese leaders.

And on weekdays, Chinese-American children can stop by after school and listen to stories told in English, Cantonese or Mandarin. Ten adult volunteers, four of whom speak Chinese, have been trained to choose books appropriate for a certain age group, and to use hand puppets, flannel boards, or origami to animate their storytelling.

It’s all part of the library’s effort to meet the needs of a diverse Chinese population. The Chinatown branch, at 536 W. College St., also offers free English conversation classes every Saturday, and screens Chinese movies on the second Saturday of each month.

“Grandparents and Books” is offered Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Starting Sept. 10, the hours will change to 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information call (213) 620-0925.