Join the staff from the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) LGBTQIA Services Committee as they premiere the first of three podcast episodes documenting the personal experiences and stories of staff members who have been on the frontlines of advocating for services and resources for the LGBTQIA community at our public library.

The LAPL LGBTQIA Services Committee ensures that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities have access to the best information, helpful staff, and feel like they belong to a welcoming community of library users.

This event will take place at the LAPL Central Library, Meeting Room A. Library Staff will be available to direct attendees to the correct room.

Participant Bios

Edwin Rodarte- Edwin has been with the Los Angeles Public Library since 2015. He is the Senior Librarian in the Emerging Technologies department and Co-Chair of the LGBTQIA Services Committee.

Celia Avila de Santiago has been with the Los Angeles Public Library since 2005. She is the Senior Librarian at the Junipero Serra Branch and Co-Chair of the LGBTQIA Services Committee.

Vincent (Vincey) Zalkind is a library worker in Southern California. Usually working the circulation desk, they can also be found helping run teen and family programs, getting goofy on their branch’s Instagram, and working with various service committees in their library system. Alongside their normal work, they also spend time advocating for comics and graphic novels as literacy, promoting LGBTQIA comics and programs in the library, organizing their ever growing record collection, baking, or hanging out with their cat and partner.

This program is organized by the Los Angeles Public Library as part of the 2023 Circa: Queer Histories Festival, presented by One Institute.

• 

  The Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.