Belonging at the Los Angeles Public Library

Banners installed in a gallery amid colorful exhibitions

Closer view of 7 colorful banners, reverse side

Banner for Adult Literacy services, with text, A community of Learners and volunteers with a bouquet and hands

Banner with text indicating a circle of generosity and gratitude, with additional text: The teachers are changing my life. We both grow at the same time. With a leaf motif.

French Conversation club banner with phrases in french in cartoon speech bubbles on the french tricolor background

Cartoon speech bubbles on tricolor with the text, When you love language, speaking French gives you a lot of joy.

Banner design with a figure with books for ribs, a heart with a cardiogram, and weather symbols in the brain.

Quote in calligraphy that reads, I feel connected, motivated, energized, with small book icons.

Banner with the text, Neuroplasticity club in funky colorful letters, and a hand with a string around a finger.

Banner with a brain illustration and colorful text, that reads, This really opened up my world.

Banner in fire colors with a wing with Persian patterns, and the text, Persian Poetry Forum of LA in English and Persian.

Banner with wing motif and the text, Helping us be who we are, in English and Persian.

Banner in blue and yellow with two fists bumping

Banner in blue and yellow sparks with the text, learning from peers, widening perspectives.

Banner in the shape of an upright bass, with gold calligraphy spelling out Watts Willowbrook Conservatory

Quote that reads, A place of belonging to propel young musicians to be fearless.

Installation view of the banners in two angled rows forming an octagon beneath open rafters in high-ceilinged gallery.

Zine printed on salmon paper with icons representing each club or group.

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.

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.