Above: Mount Jurupa in Jurupa Valley, Riverside County, California, 2017.
This month marks the conclusion of programming for Library Innovation Lab: Exploring New Ways of Engaging California’s Immigrant Communities (LIL) this year. Congratulations to all ten cohort members for their extraordinary work over the past 10 months. We look forward to several events hosted by participating libraries in December to celebrate the winter season and promote greater awareness and understanding of how immigrant communities are enriching California’s cultural mosaic with their traditions and heritage. Check our online calendar for more details about the free programs geared for people of all backgrounds below. *If you are a California public library professional, we also encourage you to visit our LIL webpage to learn how you can participate in our 2024 program—the application window opens in December!
Escondido Public Library will hold the final event in its Cultural Fair Series of programs exploring the culture and history of the city’s recent immigrants with Yalda: Persian Winter Solstice Celebration on Thursday, December 7, from 5:30–7:30 pm. Organized in collaboration with local community partners, this family-friendly program will provide opportunities for the community to celebrate with performances of Persian music and dances, listen to a reading of Shahnameh: The Epic of the Persian Kings in both English and Farsi, and enjoy tastings of traditional foods. For more information contact Project Director Azar Katouzian at Azar.Katouzian@escondidolibrary.org.
Oceanside Public Library will conclude ¡Creando Memorias en la Corona! (Creating Memories at Crown Heights), a series of programs celebrating the cultural heritage of North San Diego’s large Oaxacan immigrant community with two events at the Civic Center Library. A marmota-making workshop on Tuesday, December 5, will involve the community in creating giant paper-mache figures, to be displayed at the traditional holiday celebration of Noche de Calenda on Thursday, December 14. The program will also include performances of Oaxacan banda music and folkloric dances of the region. The public will also be able to enjoy special holiday foods and beverages and make connections with a host of community groups and service providers. For more information contact Project Director Jorge Garcia at JGarcia@oceansideca.org.
Glen Avon Branch of Riverside County Library System will premiere My Life, My Struggle, My Victory/Mi Vida, Mi Lucha, Mi Victoria, a new documentary about the varied immigrant groups—African, European, Asian, and Hispanic— who have come to the Jurupa Valley, highlighting the common challenges, hopes, goals and experiences of its residents today. The film, which incorporates interviews conducted over the course of the project, is narrated in English and Spanish with subtitles. Free screenings and discussions will be held at the Glen Avon Branch on Wednesday, December 6, and the Louis Rubidoux Branch on Thursday, December 7, both from 6–7 pm. For more information, contact Project Director Michael Jacome at 951-685-8121 or michael.jacome@rivlib.net.
