Library Innovation Lab 2024 Programming Events in October

Celebrate the cultural traditions and heritage of immigrant communities with programs in October that will provide opportunities for learning, sharing, and community-building across our state developed by participants in this year’s Library Innovation Lab cohort. See the descriptions of some of these engaging events below, and check our online calendar for more for information about upcoming programming near you. Learn more about the exciting projects planned by the participating libraries and visit our online calendar for events in your area.

Home Gardens Library, a branch of Riverside County Library System, will host arts and cultural activities exploring the traditions of local Russian immigrants on October 1 and October 12, that will include an art exhibit and community participatory painting project led by artist Arina Kirilina, an interactive performance of “Puppets for Peace,” a children’s choir performance, and tastings of traditional Russian treats. The events are part of a series titled “Peaceful Dreams” which aims to connect new immigrants and other Corona community members. For more information contact Project Director Anna Bekker.

La Mirada Public Library, a branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, continues its fall series La Mirada Celebrates! highlighting the importance of the fall holidays in Korean and Mexican cultures. On Wednesday, October 2, participants can learn more about the Korean holiday Chuseok and make a traditional mask. Programs focused on Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) will include crafting workshops on Saturday, October 12 (repujado), Wednesday, October 16 (flower crowns), and Wednesday, October 23 (sugar skulls). Culture bearer Dr. Gloria Arjona will present Songs and Stories of Dia de Los Muertos on Saturday, October 19, followed by a talk and demonstration of classical guitar music by master musician Juan Hernandez on Tuesday, October 26. Between October 1 and October 19, patrons are invited to contribute photos and stories of departed loved ones for a community altar. For more information, contact Project Director Allison Ortiz.  

Moreno Valley Public Library continues Puentes Culturales (Cultural Bridges): Celebrating Our Culture, with Uke Can Do It, on Saturday, October 26. Learn how to play the instrument and about its history and importance in Samoan culture in a fun, relaxed environment. For more information, contact Project Director Jacqueline Stewart.

Oceanside Public Library launches its fall series honoring the culture and heritage of Mexican and Samoan immigrants in the TriCities area served by the John Landes Branch Community Center Library with Memory Keepers: Alebrijes and Archives on Tuesday, October 15. Experienced archivists will share techniques about preserving family history, photos, and memorabilia. Participate in building a community ofrenda (altar) for Dia de Los Muertos by sharing a photo and story, and enjoy a crafting activity to make your own alebrije (magical creature). For more information, contact Project Director Mariella Garcia.

Richmond Public Library presents a series of free events celebrating the rich diversity of immigrants in this Bay Area community. Quilt workshops will be held across various dates at library locations, including West Side Branch on October 24. A special film screening, Saranam Gacchâmi, will spotlight Richmond’s Tibetan community on October 5 at the City Council Chamber. For more information, contact Christopher Eaton.   

Santa Barbara Public Library continues its fall series, Raíces y Sueños (Roots and Dreams) exploring the rich cultural traditions of the city’s Latin American immigrant communities with Cuentos bilingües, a Bilingual Storytime for families on Sunday, October 13, hosted by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

Club de Creadores will provide after-school opportunities on successive Wednesday afternoons (October 2, 9, and 16) for children and parents to make traditional Latin American crafts. A screening of a documentary about the transformative power of education, RADICAL! (Spanish with English subtitles) will take place on the Courthouse lawn on Friday, October 4, followed by a panel discussion (online) with the two people who inspired the film on Thursday, October 10. For more information about the series contact Project Director Catalina Morancey.

Stay tuned for more programs in November!