A TALE OF ALL CITIES IN ONE L.A. LIBRARIES CELEBRATE GLOBAL HERITAGE.

Byline: - Lisa Van Proyen

Patrons visiting the public library in Sherman Oaks may delight in Jewish songs, stories and finger plays. In Van Nuys, visitors are captivated by African-American storytelling. In Panorama City, performers adorned in native attire sing Russian songs with puppets.

It's all part of the Los Angeles Public Library's yearlong DiverseCity Program in which all 72 branches highlight the city's varied cultures.

Staff members from each branch choose four programs that reflect the cultures of their area, said Peter Persic, spokesman for the Los Angeles Public Library.

``We want to entertain and educate about cultures,'' he said.

All 20 libraries in the San Fernando Valley will participate.

Sun Valley's branch will feature Japanese music and later Persian tunes, with singing and dancing. In Studio City, patrons will participate in Asian art, music and storytelling. In Sunland-Tujunga, Hawaiian singing and dancing will be presented.

Each program will emphasize reading and books, said Ilene Abramson, director of services to children in the library system.

What better place to tell stories about the diverse cultures within the San Fernando Valley than at the public libraries? More than 40,000 books are moved daily among the various branches.

``This area is filled with great people and great talent. People come from all over this world to live here in Los Angeles. They bring stories, traditions and foods - and it all helps us to make it a better city,'' Abramson said.

City Librarian Fontayne Holmes added that the program complements the library's mission to enrich lives and bring people together.

``It's such an opportunity to share ideas and information and celebrate the many cultures in each community. We're very fortunate here in Los Angeles to have such diversity.''

Here is a list of public libraries in the San Fernando Valley. Call for information on special programs and operating hours:

--Canoga Park, 20939 Sherman Way; [phone].

--Chatsworth, 21052 Devonshire St.; [phone].

--Eagle Rock, 5027 Caspar Ave.; [phone].

--Encino-Tarzana, 18231 Ventura Blvd.; [phone].

--Granada Hills, 10640 Petit Ave.; [phone].

--Lake View Terrace, 12002 Osborne St.; [phone].

--Mid-Valley Regional, 16244 Nordhoff St., North Hills; [phone].

--North Hollywood Regional, 5211 Tujunga Ave.; [phone].

--Northridge, 9051 Darby Ave.; [phone].

--Pacoima, 13605 Van Nuys Blvd.; [phone].

--Panorama City, 14345 Roscoe Blvd.; [phone].

--Platt, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills; [phone].

--Porter Ranch, 11371 Tampa Ave., [phone].

--Sherman Oaks, 14245 Moorpark St.; [phone].

--Studio City, 12511 Moorpark St.; [phone].

--Sun Valley, 7935 Vineland Ave.; [phone].

--Sunland-Tuhunga, 7771 Foothill Blvd.; [phone].

--Sylmar, 14561 Polk St.; [phone].

--Valley Plaza, 12311 Vanowen St., North Hollywood; [phone].

--Van Nuys, 6250 Sylmar Ave.; [phone].

--West Valley Regional, 19036 Vanowen St., Reseda; [phone].

--Woodland Hills, 22200 Ventura Blvd.; [phone].

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) After telling a Russian folk tale, Natasha Khusid, left, helps children make butterfly puppets at the Panorama City Branch of the city library system.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Box:

Here is a list of public libraries in the San Fernando Valley. Call for information on special programs and operating hours: (see text)