Dedication: A memorial window in honor of...

Dedication: A memorial window in honor of founding UC Irvine librarian John E. Smith has been dedicated in the main library on campus. The 6-foot-tall window, which features the term for word in 60 languages, was etched by Laguna Beach artist Eddie Joe Martin.

Smith, who died in 1986, directed the development of the library from 1963 until his retirement in January, 1979. While at UCI, Smith was instrumental in building the library collection from 75,000 volumes to more than 800,000, in addition to 12,400 periodical subscriptions. He also started the UCI Friends of the Library in 1964.

The cost of the window was co-sponsored by the UCI Friends of the Library, UCI Library and UCI Retirees and Emeriti Assn.

New Collection: A major collection of works by and about German author Thomas Mann has been acquired by the UCI Library. The 9,700-item Hans Waldmueller Collection, which includes first editions of all of Mann’s published books, has been one of the most extensive in private hands until it was bought by UCI for about $100,000. Winner of the 1929 Nobel Prize for literature, Mann was a seminal figure in Germany’s literary life.

Young Adult Fiction: A panel of authors who write young-adult fiction will read from their books and discuss their writing experiences at 7:30 p.m. today at Upchurch-Brown Booksellers, 384 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. Panelists include Marilyn Gould, Adrienne Jones, Mary Sullivan, Theodore Taylor and Beverly Leyman.

AUTHOR TALK: Mystery writer Elizabeth George (“A Great Deliverance”) will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Huntington Beach Library, 7111 Talbert Ave.

New Novel: “The Brick People,” UCI Spanish professor Alejandro Morales’ first novel written in English, has been published by Arte Publico Press. The historical novel, which blends myth and legend, traces the growth of California in the 19th and 20th centuries through the struggles of the families who left central Mexico to work in the Simons Brick Factory in Montebello.

Book Signing: Authors Les Roberts, Gar Haywood, Mitch Rossi and Laura Taylor will appear at a reception and book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Little Professor Book Center, 14370 Culver Drive, Irvine.