The Aurora Public Library District (APLD) is excited to announce our upcoming Community Voices exhibit celebrating the rich tapestry of South Asian heritage. Whether you were born and raised in Aurora or have recently arrived, your experiences and perspectives are invaluable. We invite you to share your unique story and become a part of this inspiring project.
Community Voices provides a place for Aurora residents to share their personal stories of heritage or identity. The mission of Community Voices is to celebrate diverse experiences, foster connections, cultivate empathy, and nurture a sense of belonging at the Library. “For me, Community Voices is an essential aspect of building and sustaining a healthy vibrant community,” said Library assistant, Ratna Avasarala. “It is a means by which residents can express their needs, concerns, and ideas, and have them heard. It is a great opportunity to listen to community members.”
We center Community Voices exhibits around heritages or identities that are meaningful for our community. Past exhibits have featured residents of Hispanic heritage and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Telling your story at the Library is a great way to take ownership of and pride in the fact that you belong. This could include personal narratives, family histories, cultural traditions, challenges faced, and triumphs achieved.
“Aurora, especially the East Side, has a large population with South Asian heritage,” said Librarian, Megan Cavitt. “We look forward to hearing from people whose families come from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and any other country in South Asia. The region is extremely diverse, so I think we’ll get to learn a lot about a variety of cultures!”
This exchange of knowledge can break down stereotypes and build mutual respect, creating a more harmonious and interconnected community. “It is important to offer our customers this exhibit because it will act as a bridge to allow different communities to learn about and appreciate the rich traditions, values, and histories of South Asian cultures,” said Library assistant, Rupangi Bakshi.
To participate in Community Voices, you will be asked to respond to three prompts: Tell us about yourself’, what is a source of pride for you in your heritage/identity, and what do you wish our greater community knew about your heritage/identity? There is no right or wrong way to tell your story, so feel free to be creative! We encourage you to share photos and videos with your submission to further paint the picture of your story.
From the submissions, the Library will create a poster exhibit and host a discussion panel where we will dive into a deeper conversation. Deputy director, Tom Spicer, moderated the discussion of the Hispanic Heritage panel. “Often times, one panelist would be speaking about their experience and all the other panelists’ heads would be nodding in recognition of these formative events,” Spicer said. “Many of the participants talked about how important it was, after coming to America, to find community and belonging here in Aurora.”
Our community has been very generous in sharing a part of themselves with the Library and all our users. We look forward to hearing your story! The deadline for this Community Voices exhibit is Saturday, Aug. 31. For more information about how to submit, please visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/communityvoices or contact the Library at 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.