Marilynn Montaño (Original, English)

Si Yo Fuera una Canción (If I Were a Song)

This self-described “library kid” went on to practice journalism with local newspapers, and now works with Libromobile, currently Santa Ana’s only independent bookstore. Marilynn talks to us about the tensions that arise between reporting on a community and belonging to it, and about her hopes for Downtown Santa Ana, a contested area due to gentrification, and the cultural projects that are trying to maintain a presence there.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LINKS

LIBROMOBILE

220 E 4th St #107, Santa Ana, CA 92701

(in the alley between 4th & Spurgeon)

A literary arts co-op & bookstore

Open Tuesdays to Saturday from 12-6pm & until 9pm during Art Walk (the 1st Saturday of the month)

Instagram: @libromobile -- Web https://www.libromobile.com/

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CREAR STUDIO

222 W. 5th Street, Santa Ana, Ca 92701

A free interdisciplinary art gallery & community space

Open Thursday & Friday from 4-7pm; Saturdays from 12-4pm. By appointment all other days & times.

https://linktr.ee/crearstudio

Exhibit and virtual tour:

Albert López, “El Baile del Dolar Que Nunca Tuve” (The Dance of the Dollar I Never Had)

https://www.libromobile.com/bipoc-art-spaces

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BARRIO WRITERS

Instagram: @barriowriters -- Web https://www.barriowriters.org/

A creative writing program which provides free college-level writing workshops in Orange County, CA. Their slogan is “Empowering Teens through Creative Writing”

A non-profit program that offers workshops and additional one-on-one tutor hours. Participants build skills in reading, grammar, creative writing, critical thinking and freedom of expression through cultural arts. The session includes guest writers, who serve as role models in our neighborhoods and support youth aspirations.

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SAAC, SANTA ANA ARTS COOPERATIVE

17th & Main, Santa Ana

Low-income artist housing, currently suffering problems with security and management

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-10-17/santa-ana-arts-housing-complex-with-price-of-living-in-fear

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Wiegand, Wayne A. A Part of Our Lives: A History of the American Public Library (Oxford University press, 2015)

Overviews about US American public libraries

https://publiclibraries.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_libraries_in_North_America