Belonging at the Los Angeles Public Library

Belonging at the Los Angeles Public Library is a series of seven commissioned banners accompanied by a 36-page zine—outcomes of a six-month residency and process of social engagement and cooperation. Each banner commemorates a club or affinity group associated with the Los Angeles Public Library as a space of belonging.

Cover of the zine, Belonging at the LA Public Library

Learn more about the project in the 36-page zine featuring a foreword by Todd Lerew, an introduction and reflections by Christine Wong Yap, and perspectives from group members. Available as a downloadable PDF (3.1 MB) or hardcopy.

Cover of the zine, Belonging at the LA Public Library

Ramin Naderi, librarian and co-founder of the Persian Poetry Forum of Los Angeles, generously shared step-by-step instructions for creating a Persian Poetry Forum. It is rich with nuanced insights about community engagement and methods for empowering members. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share this useful resource (PDF, 468 KB).

 

Belonging at the Los Angeles Public Library was first exhibited in Something in Common at the Los Angeles Public Library, Central Library, Getty Gallery from May 7 to November 6, 2022. Something in Common was curated by Todd Lerew, Director of Special Projects at the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The banners and zine were also on view in Christine Wong Yap: Holding at the Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA, from March 22 to April 29, 2023.

Caption: Christine Wong Yap with contributors, Belonging in the Los Angeles Public Library, 2022, appliquéd and printed textiles, paint, zine, 48 x 36 inches (each banner), 8.5 x 7 inches & 36 pages (zine).

Supported by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Public Library, and the Wellcome Trust, as part of its international cultural program about mental health, Mindscapes.

Sincerest thanks to Todd Lerew, Shirley Thao, and Danielle Olsen. Special thanks to Joyce Cooper, the library’s Area Managers, Ashley Binning, Abel Santibanez, Zachary Valdivia, Dr. Jen Nobel, Joel Boucher, Rachel Rose, Yago Cura, Ramin Naderi, Toktam Gholami, Max Rahni, Lynn Nguyen, Jessica Levy, Dan Nishimoto, Jasmine Slaughter, Charlene Nichols, and Billy Mitchell. Thanks to all the contributors and everyone who participated in interviews, group sessions, and meetings.

Production assistance: Cole Chang & Kennedy Morgan. Copyediting: Pablo Manga. Illustration support: Erina Davidson. Additional stitchers: Tiffy Amundson (IATSE 784) & Francesa Palizzi (IATSE 768). Exhibition team at LAPL: Ann Marshall, Christina Webb, Tiffanie Tran. BAC installation assistants and art handlers: Dareal, Ivan, Natasha Loewy, Raisa Solis. Additional thanks to Keith Kessler and Leah Price.

Photographs at Los Angeles Public Library by Ian Byers-Gamber, courtesy of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. Photos at Berkeley Art Center by Carla Hernandez Ramirez, courtesy of the Berkeley Art Center.