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Library Innovation Lab 2024 Programming Launches with Events in September

California Humanities
September 1, 2024

Following a five-month period of research and planning that has deepened their knowledge and strengthened their connections with immigrants in their communities, this month the creative and dedicated librarians and library workers who make up the 2024 Library Innovation Lab (LIL) cohort are entering the public programming stage of their projects. Over the fall season, each library will offer a unique set of activities carefully designed to engage members of local immigrant communities as well as cultivate interest and understanding on the part of other community members through the public humanities. Learn more about the exciting projects planned by the participating libraries and visit our online calendar for events in your area.

Moreno Valley Public Library will kick-off its Puentes Culturales (Cultural Bridges): Celebrating Our Culture series, with two events celebrating the culture and heritage of Guatemala. Starting at 10 am on Saturday, September 7, Fotos y Recuerdos will include a pop-up exhibit at the library showcasing photographs and memorabilia documenting the Guatemala immigrant community in Los Angeles followed by a talk by the photographer/curator, Michelle Montenegro, and a community photo digitization activity. On Tuesday, September 10, starting at 6 pm, Noche de Marimba will feature the group Marimba Tropical Los Angeles in concert followed by a presentation and discussion about the history and traditions of marimba music. For more information, contact Project Director Jacqueline Stewart.

Fotos y Recurdos on September 7, 2024 (click to enlarge)

Courtesy of Moreno Valley Public Library

Noche de Marimba on September 10, 2024 (click to enlarge)

Courtesy of Moreno Valley Public Library

Flyer for Noche de Marimba in reds and oranges

La Mirada Public Library, a branch of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, will launch its fall series La Mirada Celebrates! highlighting the importance of the fall holidays in Korean and Mexican cultures. On Saturday, September 7, at 1 pm, chef and culinary historian Hae Jung Cho will lead Korean Cooking Demo: Food of Chuseok, a workshop (with tastings!) exploring the foods and traditions associated with this holiday, sometimes called Korean Thanksgiving. Attendance is limited to adults. For more information, contact Project Director Allison Ortiz.

Collage of children wearing round korean masks with painted faces on them — Traditional Korean mask-making at La Mirada Library. Photo courtesy of La Mirada Public Library.

Santa Barbara Public Library initiates 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, September 8, at 11 am, hosted by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. On Saturday, September 21, Taller de fabricación de muñecas de papel maché will enable families to enjoy an afternoon workshop of paper maché doll-making, led by an artist expert in this traditional technique at the library’s Eastside Branch. On Saturday, September 29, programming returns to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art where library card holders can enjoy free admission to the museum for a day to view works by Latin American artists from many countries and the inauguration a special exhibit honoring the history of Santa Barbara’s Latinx community, Un Vistazo al patrimonio familiar hispánico de Santa Bárbara, 1850-1950/A Glimpse into the Hispanic Family Heritage of Santa Barbara 1950-1950. For more information about the series contact Project Director Catalina Morancey.