The Westwood branch public library celebrated its 10-year anniversary on May 9th . They saluted a decade of learning, literacy, community and fun. There was a special appearance by Harry Potter and a musical performance for the award-winning Bruin Harmony, UCLA’s only all-male A Cappella ensemble. There was also a visit with LAFD firefighters from Westwood Village’s fire station 37, as wells as special presentations with Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, Steve Sann,Chairman of Westwood Community Council, City Librarian John Szabo, President of the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Roozbeh Farahanipour, Board member of the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Elham Yaghoubian, and other dignitaries.



There was also an amazing anniversary cake by Cake and Art Bakery decorated with classic books such as Hamlet, To Kill a Mockingbird, and the Shahnameh as a respectful nod to all the Iranian-Americans who visit the library. There were also tasty cupcakes courtesy of Farahanipour’s award-winning pastry chef Rana Pourarab, with each cupcake decorated with a fondant mini book. Never has reading been so tasty!

There was also a concert by the UCLA Gluck Fellows Brass Septet Concert as well as one from soprano Susanna Lucarelli. Teens enjoyed custom airbrush tattoos and kids enjoyed magic tricks from Tony Daniels as well as Thor’s reptile family safari.

“I’m so excited as Board Member of the Friends of Westwood Library to be celebrating this branch’s 10 year anniversary. We do have largest selection of Persian books in all of the Los Angeles area Public Libraries and excited to have the Shahnameh in our celebration cake as one of main books in our community. I hope this year we will see more participation from the thriving Iranian- American community,” said Farahanipour.

Congressman Ted W. Lieu, CA 33. Photo courtesy of HPC.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a part of this great celebration as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and especially as an author, “ added Yaghoubian, who is also the director of networking and outreach for the Authors of the Westwood Library Committee.