Library Innovation Lab 2018 Projects Launch – California Humanities

Libraries participating in the 2018 Library Innovation Lab: Exploring New Ways of Engaging Immigrant Communities through Public Humanities Programming cohort will begin offering public programs in September.

First out the gate are Oceanside Public Library, with an appearance and book signing with Enrique Morones, co-author of The Power of One: The Story of the Border Angels, on September 9 at Oceanside’s 14th Annual Noche Mexicana Cultural Celebration Civic Center. Since 1986 Morones has dedicated his life to preventing migrant deaths on the US-Mexican border through the nonprofit organization that he founded, Border Angeles.

Oakland Public Library’s MAM CULTURAL FESTIVAL, an afternoon celebration organized in partnership with Mayan Cultural Exchange, will offer food, music, and discussions about of the history and traditions of this Mayan indigenous group, who are now a vital part of Oakland’s diverse mix of cultures and communities, at the César E. Chávez Branch Library on September 15.

Also the Whittier Public Library celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with an art show and display of traditional Mexican artifacts in the library beginning September 15 and a performance by Trio Ellas, two-time Grammy winners Mariachi Divas, that is tentatively scheduled for the September 27.

Visit our online events calendar to learn about other library programs to be provided by our cohort participants.

Library Innovation Lab is an ongoing program of California Humanities that supports responsive and relevant public humanities programming in California’s public libraries by providing a practice-based, capacity-building, professional development experience for library programming specialists. Cash awards to the participating libraries support innovative programming that engages immigrant populations and offers welcoming and inclusive experiences for all community members. Click here for more information.