Charlton Heston to Read at Library Salute

Academy Award-winning actor Charlton Heston will visit the new Mid-Valley Regional Branch Library in Northridge on Thursday evening to read selections from various works, part of a nationwide salute to literacy and reading, the Los Angeles Public Library has announced.

Star of such screen classics as “The Ten Commandments,” “Touch of Evil” and “Ben Hur,” Heston is a regular “celebrity reader” during the American Library Assn.’s National Library Week, which each year promotes literacy and the importance of family members reading together. Past participants include Ed Asner, Beau Bridges, Kirk Douglas and Gregory Peck.

The Mid-Valley Regional Branch is located at 16244 Nordhoff St. Although it usually closes at 5:30 p.m., the branch will remain open late on Thursday for Heston’s appearance. For more information, call (818) 895-3650.

Other celebrity readers this year include TV and radio personality Tom Hatten, who will read at 7 p.m. Monday at the Northridge branch, 9051 Darby Ave.; and City Councilwoman Laura Chick, who will read at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the West Valley Regional Branch, at 19036 Vanowen St. in Reseda.

All the readings are free.