Author Talk: 'The Zoo Lady: How Belle Benchley Built the San Diego Zoo' by Sandra Bonura
About the Event
Award-winning author Dr. Sandra Bonura will discuss her latest book, "The Zoo Lady: How Belle Benchley Built the San Diego Zoo," the extraordinary true story of the woman who transformed a struggling local attraction into one of the world’s most beloved zoological institutions. At a time when women were expected to stay on the sidelines, Belle Benchley shattered barriers with courage, compassion, and an unwavering belief in learning from the animals themselves. As the first woman to lead a major zoo and a pioneer in conservation and education, she helped shape the future of zoology while inspiring generations of animal lovers and conservationists around the globe.
Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library
Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library
The Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Harley & Bessie Knox Library is located at 215 West Washington Street, between Front and Albatross Streets. This library was opened on Jan 26, 2019 and serves the communities Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, Middletown, Mission Hills and Old Town. Named in honor of the late philanthropists Harley and Bessie Knox, the new Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Library expects to have 350,000 patron visits each year. The 15,000-square-foot library is more than triple the size of the community’s previous library that was built in 1961. It features modern amenities, including designated areas for teens and young children, a community meeting space, study rooms, computer labs, drought-tolerant landscaping, an underground parking garage and a design expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.
