Vibrant murals, a shop with curated goods, a cart filled to the brim like a paletero street vendor for books – these and more are what visitors will find at Santa Ana’s LibroMobile.
The hybrid independent bookstore, nonprofit and arts co-op next to the Bristol Food Court and Swap Mall near downtown Santa Ana, prides itself on “cultivating diversity” through literature and art.
LibroMobile is celebrating more than five years in the community with its Literary Arts Festival on Sunday, March 5, at the Heritage Museum of Orange County. The free event starting at noon will include literary readings, art, live performances, food vendors and more.
“Even though we’re the only bookstore like this in Santa Ana, people are still finding out about us,” said events manager Marilynn Montano, who helps plan marketing for the festival. “It’s a great day to see us in action, what we’re about.”
Owner and founder Sarah Rafael Garcia said she considers LibroMobile a standout in Orange County, prioritizing local creatives and highlighting works from diverse writers, artists and entrepreneurs coming from Black, Latino, indigenous and LGBTQ communities.
Garcia, whose father once worked the printing press for The Orange County Register, said running a bookstore, and being in the print and nonprofit world, is “in her blood.” She does the work voluntarily to “fill a void” in Santa Ana, she said, and to give back to her immigrant elders who “worked with their hands.”
“I wish I had this growing up in Santa Ana,” Garcia said. “It’s nice to know that there are books and art that reflect youth, and can be a form of positivity, resiliency, learning about one’s roots, or even escape through storytelling. We’re building diverse, intentional spaces … we’re not trying to be a Barnes and Noble.”
LibroMobile got its start through several arts grants, opening in different locations from a public stairway on Fourth Street to a 190-square-foot…
Read the full article here
