The library’s four Cultural Resource Centers (CRCs) — Black, Chicano, Asian Pacific American and American Indian — focus on heritage, historical archives and current issues affecting these communities. Housed inside libraries, CRCs typically host programs or serve as research centers. Committed to breaking down barriers, the library saw a need to deepen these efforts, using CRC Librarians’ knowledge and community connections for virtual programs, creating opportunities for people to learn about themselves and one another.

As Virtual Programming team members, Cultural Resource Center Librarians create programs specific to each community, while highlighting often overlooked yet important history, stories or art forms to a wider audience. The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Film Festival featured streaming films by or about Asian Pacific Islanders. A Chicano Moratorium 50th Anniversary interview illuminated a historic event’s impact. The Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians discussed their history and culture live on Webex.

Adapting local programs into virtual events along with activities, equity booklists and resource lists offers multiple entry points to complex issues surrounding diversity and inclusivity. Accessed regularly by customers who have voiced their appreciation for bringing cultural content to the forefront, the initial launch of these programs had over 6,600 views/participants. Upcoming programs include a historic California letter transcription project and a reading of a Tongva creation story for Indigenous People’s Day.