May 10, 2018
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Jody Sahota
415.391-1474
(Oakland, CA) Twelve public libraries across the state of California will receive support from California Humanities as part of the second year of their Library Innovation Lab program. The program is designed to explore new ways of engaging immigrant communities through public humanities programming. California Humanities is a state-wide humanities nonprofit that connects Californians to ideas and to one another and this program is a prime example of their work.
Each library will receive up to $5,000 to support public programs, along with an intensive program of training and technical support provided to the participating librarians over the course of this year. Projects developed by the 2017 cohort included a live participatory storytelling “jam session”, a series of photography workshops resulting in a book and exhibition, and the use of virtual reality technology to make it possible to “walk a mile” in an immigrant’s shoes.
“Libraries have long been a natural partner to us.” said Julie Fry, President & CEO of California Humanities. “We have found that the Library Innovation Lab cohort of librarians has inspired new community connections, and we look forward to welcoming our second group of libraries to join us.”
Library Innovation Lab 2018 COHORT PARTICIPANTS
Anaheim Public Library
Guadalupe Gomez, Library Services Manager
Whittier Public Library
Jacqueline Sanchez, Librarian
County of Los Angeles Public Library – Florence/Firestone Branch
Julian Zamora, Community Library Manager
Riverside County Library System- Glen Avon Library
Tracie Randolph, Library Manager
Oakland Public Library
Erin Sanders, Branch Manager
Oceanside Public Library
Kris Moralez, Community Outreach Coordinator
Fresno County Public Library
Mary Wise, Teen Services Librarian
Kern County Libraries – Delano Branch Library
Fahra Daredia, Branch Supervisor
Watsonville Public Library
Alicia Martinez, Senior Librarian
Sutter County Library – Yuba City Branch
Ayla Elkins, Literacy Coordinator
Ventura County Library
Yvonne Becerra, Literacy & Outreach Assistant
Santa Cruz Public Libraries
Lorena Lopez, Library Assistant
2018 LIL MENTORS
Michelle Gordon,
Supervising Librarian for the WoW! (Without Walls) Department, Fresno County Public Library (2017 Cohort Alumna)
Joy Whatley,
City Librarian, Chula Vista Public Library (2017 Cohort Alumna)
ABOUT CALIFORNIA HUMANITIES
California Humanities promotes the humanities—focused on ideas, conversation, and learning—as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect us to each other in order to help strengthen California. An independent non-profit and partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, California Humanities has provided grants and programs across the state since 1975. To learn more visit www.calhum.org or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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