SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif — The San Diego Public Library is holding a series of four Pride-themed family-friendly storytimes between July 6 and July 17.
"The San Diego Public Library is a welcoming and inclusive space," Library Director Misty Jones said. "After more than a year of being apart, we're so happy to host these in-person programs that celebrate the diversity and individuality of San Diego's LGBTQIA+ community."
The first storytime was held Tuesday at the College-Rolando Library with Sienna.
Upcoming storytime events include:
- Pride Storytime with Beans: Saturday at 11 a.m. at Kensington- Normal Heights Library;
- Pride Storytime with Raquel Ita & Barbie Q: Saturday at 11 a.m. at Logan Heights Library; and
- Pride Storytime with Friidae: Saturday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at City Heights/Weingart Library.
Pride-themed storytimes, book discussions, make-at-home art projects and crafts will also be featured on the SDPL Pride Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SDPLpride.
In 2019, there were protests in Chula Vista against Drag Queen storytime. Many libraries across the county have turned the page since then but librarians say they are part of the change for diversity and inclusion.
"Our library doors are open and welcoming and that is something to me that is special. Being a part of the LGBTQ community myself," said Ady Huertas, Supervising Librarian of Youth and Family Services.
She also serves on the San Diego Library LGBTQIA+ Committee which has created a Library Pride Facebook page. You can find storytime with queens and also non-queens and librarians. There's a list of suggested LGBTQIA readings for all ages and arts and crafts such as upscaling pants and bedazzling them for Pride.
As part of the Pride celebration, SDPL has chosen the winner of this year's Pride library card design contest. More than 50 designs were submitted and the winning entry came from Clara, who submitted in the teen category. Her card design features rainbows in the colors of several different LGBTQ Pride flags along with the words "you are loved."
Clara said she designed the card to let people know they are included, regardless of who they love or how they identify. The Pride library card design contest is a partnership between SDPL and San Diego Pride. It will be available starting July 16 at all SDPL locations offering in-person services.
The San Diego Library says its LGBTQIA events go beyond Pride month. They continue to collaborate with organizations to provide resources and also have a teen queer book club.
"Telling our stories, highlighting the rich diversity. Those themes that are so important of love, acceptance and inclusion and seeing yourself represented in the books that are reading," said Huertas.
Visit the SDPL Pride 2021 page -- https://www.sandiego.gov/public- library/lgbt -- for a full list of SDPL Pride programs, book recommendations and LGBTQIA+ resources.
Pride storytime with Sienna - July 6, 2021
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