News Summary
Academics and community members in Santa Ana gathered at LibroMobile to discuss digital humanities and their role in preserving local histories. The bookstore has launched a program to empower Orange County residents to document their own stories, especially those of marginalized groups. This initiative includes various projects and support for local artists, creating opportunities for collaborative historical documentation and engagement within the community.
Santa Ana Community Empowered Through Digital Humanities Initiatives
Academics from various institutions gathered at LibroMobile, an independent bookstore in Santa Ana, to discuss the advancement of digital humanities and its implications for preserving personal histories. This significant event was attended by participants from the Society of American Archivists conference, including representatives from the University of Arizona, San Diego County Library, and Oregon Historical Society.
LibroMobile has taken a proactive approach by launching a digital humanities program aimed at equipping the diverse population of Orange County with the skills needed to digitally document their own stories. The initiative emphasizes the importance of preserving community histories, particularly those of marginalized groups.
LibroMobile’s Innovations in Digital Humanities
Sarah Rafael Garcia, the owner of LibroMobile, underscored the potential of digital humanities in transforming personal histories into preserved narratives for the future. The bookstore, in collaboration with local artists and academics, has established various programs that facilitate historical documentation efforts. For example, Charla DelaCuadra from UC Irvine coordinated the visit and highlighted the essential role of documenting community stories.
The LibroMobile Arts Cooperative (LMAC), founded in 2016, launched the Crear Studio Gallery and Digital Lab five years later. These spaces serve as hubs for creativity and collaboration, allowing local artists to thrive while providing avenues for digital storytelling. Noteworthy initiatives include a counter-narrative story map created by local artist Roger Reyes that focuses on cultural landmarks and stories of people of color in downtown Santa Ana.
Documenting Community Histories
LMAC has generated virtual timelines detailing its history and celebrating Juneteenth in Orange County. Additionally, innovative technology is utilized to create virtual exhibitions, including 20 art shows held at Crear Studio Gallery over the past three years, making them accessible to a broader audience online. Community members can start their archiving journey with a bilingual digital archiving handbook produced by Kara Chizek, LMAC’s digital humanities coordinator.
For those interested in digital archiving, LibroMobile offers a comprehensive 30-minute tutorial aimed at empowering individuals to document their histories effectively. The resources available at LibroMobile allow individuals to create virtual timelines, story maps, video recordings, and 3D scans of their personal histories. This initiative particularly focuses on prioritizing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) stories while aiming to collaborate closely with the community to ensure these narratives are preserved.
Engagement with Local Neighborhoods
LMAC has been actively involved with residents of the Logan Barrio, recognized as one of Orange County’s oldest Mexican American neighborhoods. An exhibition titled “Historical Logan Barrio: A Tapestry of Culture and Community” showcased historic photographs, made accessible through a 3D space capture on the LMAC website. The Logan Barrio hosts annual reunions, with the next scheduled for September 27 at Chepa’s Park. At this event, LMAC plans to assist residents further in documenting their rich history.
Jessi Galanter is also leading a project to create a story map of queer and BIPOC bookstores and lending libraries, expanding the initiative’s outreach and celebration of diverse narratives. Through these collaborative initiatives, LibroMobile aims to reinforce the sense of community while preserving vital stories of residents.
A Community Effort
Garcia, a 2024-25 Digital Ethnic Futures Consortium Fellow and educator of digital humanities at Chapman University, emphasizes that the preservation of personal histories is a communal effort that does not require academic qualifications or proficiency in English. This inclusive approach invites a wider audience to engage in the historical documentation process.
LibroMobile is located at 1150 S Bristol St., Santa Ana, and community members interested in joining LMAC’s initiatives can reach out via email at [email protected]. Through its innovative programs and community engagement, LibroMobile not only serves as a bookstore but stands as a beacon for historical preservation in the Santa Ana community.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: LibroMobile is Archiving Community History in Santa Ana
- Wikipedia: Digital Humanities
- MinnPost: Funding Cuts for Arts and Humanities in Minnesota
- Google Search: Community History Preservation
- Los Angeles Times: Impact of Digital Archives on Local Communities
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Archives
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COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
