Every community is a blend of voices, stories, and journeys that deserve to be heard and celebrated. At the Aurora Public Library District, we believe that by sharing these stories, we strengthen the bonds that unite the city of Aurora. Our Community Voices initiative has offered powerful moments of connection, empathy, and learning, reminding us of our shared humanity. Now, our latest installment highlights the vibrant stories of the South Asian community in Aurora. Join us in person at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 for a panel discussion where participants will share deeper reflections on their journeys, providing yet another opportunity for dialogue, understanding, and connection.
We began telling these stories with our first Community Voices exhibit in the fall of 2023 celebrating residents in the Hispanic community. Our subsequent panel discussion with the participants proved to be a wonderful sharing experience for everyone involved. “It was such a powerful experience to hear Hispanic community members talk about their own unique experiences and cultures,” said deputy director, Tom Spicer. “Many mentioned that experiencing and celebrating different cultures is a reason that they love the Aurora community!”
Our second exhibit debuted in June of this year celebrating Pride month and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The panel discussion was well attended by the community, and the panelists expressed gratitude for being part of the event. “Those in attendance appreciated the vulnerability shown by the panel and their willingness to be open and honest about their experiences and reflections,” said librarian Cailín Cullen. “The Q&A section was especially powerful, since attendees were able to engage directly in the dialogue.” These experiences and perspectives are invaluable and bring our community closer. By sharing the human stories of our neighbors and fellow library users, we often discover commonalities between ourselves and a person who was previously a stranger.
For our current Community Voices installment, we sought submissions that reflected the diverse experiences of the South Asian community, and this exhibit features twelve of these stories. Stories that include musicians, a software engineer, a professional dancer, a motorcycle enthusiast, a photographer, a registered nurse, and how they take pride in their heritage and identity. Hear directly from our participants during the in-person panel discussion November 14 in the Eola Community Center. During the discussion, a library staff moderator will lead a deeper dive into the common themes among people’s lived experiences, shining a light on the pride and resilience that these individuals bring to their identities and heritage.
APLD looks forward to learning about our neighbors with you and sharing the rich history they bring to the city of Aurora. The exhibit is available at all library locations and online until Friday, Dec. 6. For more information, please visit www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/exhibits or contact the library at 630-264-4117.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.