The Los Angeles County Library is expanding access to its regional reading initiative One Book, One Coast by offering unlimited digital copies of George Takei‘s memoir, “They Called Us Enemy,” through the Libby app.
The expanded access, which began Wednesday and runs through June 6, eliminates wait lists for the e-book, allowing readers with a valid library card to borrow the title instantly.
FILE – George Takei appears at the 75th annual Tony Awards in New York on June 12, 2022. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Actor George Takei, left, walks to throw out the first pitch of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
A copy of “My Lost Freedom,” a children’s book by George Takei, is displayed at the section featuring in the “Being Asian in America” at a Kinokuniya bookstore specializing in books and magazines written in foreign languages in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Wednesday, May 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
FILE – George Takei attends “The Kite Runner” Broadway opening night at the Hayes Theater on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in New York. Takei turns 86 on April 20. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
George Takei presents the award for best sound design of a play at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
George Takei, right, and Brad Takei arrive at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
George Takei arrives at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
George Takei presents the award for best sound design of a play at the 75th annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
George Takei, justice activist and pioneering actor most famously known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the “Star Trek” series, waves to the crowd as the grand marshal for the first-ever Japan Parade in New York City, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
George Takei arrives at the LA premiere of “Blue Bayou” on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
George Takei participates in AMC’s “The Terror: Infamy” panel at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour on Thursday, July 25, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)
George Takei poses for a portrait to promote the television series “The Terror: Infamy” on day one of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 18, 2019, in San Diego. (Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP)
George Takei arrives at JONI 75: A Birthday Celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
In this July 19, 2018 photo, George Takei poses for a portrait in New York. (Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP)
George Takei poses for a portrait on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Scott Gries/Invision/AP)
Actor George Takei, best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on the television series Star Trek, speaks Tuesday, May 8, 2018, about his experiences in U.S. internment camps during World War II, at an appearance at Boston Public Library, in Boston. Takei used his family’s story as the inspiration for the Broadway musical “Allegiance.” (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Los Angeles Boyle Heights native actor George Takei introduces Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti before Garcetti was sworn in for his second term along with other city officials who were been re-elected at Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday, July 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
FILE – In this Friday, Sept. 17, 1976 file photo, cast members from the television series Star Trek, from left, Leonard Nimoy who portrayed Spock; George Takei who was Sulu; DeForest Kelly who was Dr. McCoy and James Doohan, who was Scotty, attend a ceremony for the space shuttle prototype Enterprise in Palmdale, Calif. Most of the shuttles were named after seafaring ships of yore: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour. The prototype Enterprise was the exception, named after the “Star Trek” starship at fans’ request. (AP Photo)
FILE – In this July 30, 2001, file photo, actor George Takei looks at a book showing paintings of the Tule Lake Segregation Center by Japanese artist Henry Sugimoto at his Hancock Park home in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
Actor George Takei, right, with husband Brad Altman, left, attends the 2014 Webby Awards on Monday, May 19, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Actor George Takei participates in AOL’s BUILD Speaker Series to discuss the Broadway musical “Allegiance” at AOL Studios on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
George Takei attends the 43rd International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton Hotel on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
George Takei poses for a portrait at The Collective and Gibson Lounge Powered by CEG, during the Sundance Film Festival, on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP)
Actor George Takei participate in AOL’s BUILD Speaker Series to discuss the Broadway musical “Allegiance” at AOL Studios on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Actor George Takei attends the 2014 Webby Awards on Monday, May 19, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
Brad Takei and George Takei seen at “Kubo and the Two Strings” George Takei Puppet Presentation at Japanese American National Museum on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision for Focus Features/AP Images)
Actor George Takei, right, who played the role of helm officer Sulu in the original television series, Star Trek, talks with Brian Harbinson, left, dressed as Data, a character from the television series, “Star Trek Next Generation,” in front of a model of the U.S.S. Enterprise space ship at an exhibit at the Tech Museum in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
George Takei accepts the Vito Russo Award at the GLAAD Media Awards on Saturday, May 3, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
George Takei, left, and his partner Brad Altman raise their hands as they get their marriage certificate permit in West Hollywood, Calif. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. The May 15 California Supreme Court ruling that overturned the state’s bans on same-sex marriage became final at 5:01 p.m. Monday. (AP Photo/Hector Mata)
Actor George Takei poses on the press line at the Universal Media Studios Emmy Party at the LG House in Malibu, Calif. on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
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FILE – George Takei appears at the 75th annual Tony Awards in New York on June 12, 2022. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Officials said the initiative is part of a larger West Coast effort involving 190 library systems across California, Oregon and Washington, aimed at encouraging shared reading and discussion.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring equitable access to stories that educate, inspire and connect our communities,” Dr. Skye Patrick, director of LA County Library, said in a statement. “By offering unlimited digital access, we are removing barriers and inviting everyone to take part in a shared reading experience that encourages reflection, dialogue and deeper understanding.”
The memoir recounts Takei’s childhood experience in U.S. incarceration camps during World War II and is intended to spark conversations about history, identity and civic engagement, officials said.
In addition to digital access, participating libraries will host programs, discussions and events throughout the spring.
A featured event will include an author talk with the 88-year-old Los Angeles native scheduled for May 31 at the East Los Angeles Library, followed by a book signing.
More information about the program is available at lacountylibrary.org/one-book-one-coast.