2026 Summer LFSD Impact Update for download - Flipbook - Page 11
Update from a Library Graduate
Following Islamic Center Shooting
Tellie Padilla participated in the San Diego
Public Library Adult High School Diploma
Program last year and had the following to say;
“Since my graduation, I couldn’t believe the
number of opportunities that have
opened up for me. Never in a million
years would I have thought that
every school I applied to would
accept me, or that I would have a
tough time choosing which acceptance letter to pick. Now, I truly can
relate to the saying, ‘The opportunities
are endless,’ because I am walking and living
proof. Here I am, 37 years old; I haven’t been to
school in 21 years, and now, here I am in 2026,
having completed the program and enrolled in a
university” -Tellie Padilla
Thank you for sharing, Tellie, and for showing us
that opportunities really are endless at the Library.
Following the tragic shooting at the Islamic
Center of San Diego in May 2026, staff from
several San Diego Public Library branches collaborated to provide resources and support for
affected families, demonstrating the Library's
commitment to serving the community, especially
during times of crisis.
The effort began when Mission Valley Branch
Youth Services Librarian Marika Jeffery learned
that many children in the Muslim community were
struggling to process the traumatic event. After
hearing from a community member about the
impact on families, Jeffery coordinated a systemwide response to gather books and resources
focused on grief, trauma and healing.
Staff identified age-appropriate materials and
compiled online resources for parents and caregivers that give language to both adults and
children on difficult subjects. The selected materials also help to validate children’s emotions, let
them know they’re not alone and normalize the
emotions they may be feeling. Library staff created a shared bibliography, collected books from
across the San Diego Public Library system and
arranged for materials to be delivered to branch
manager Ton Vo Ngo at the Balboa Library, which
serves many of the affected families.
By the end of May, Library staff had assembled
about 40 children's books, which were made
available for pickup and distribution throughout
the community.
The 2026 Pride Library Card Contest selected
Kori Callu’s design for this years San Diego
Pride Library Card. The card launched on July 11
and will be available at all Library locations
while supplies last.
“I’m a queer trans first-generation Mexican
American, born and raised in San Diego. I proudly
create art that celebrates my culture and queerness with colorful, folky imagery with a sense of
whimsy and wonder. I hope to capture the joy I
feel while creating my art, and hope that my work
makes people smile, feel seen, and find a little bit
of magic in themselves. It’s really special to have a
little piece of my heart living on these cards and
making its way into the pockets of people in
San Diego.” -Kori Callu
The response was deeply appreciated, according
to Jeffery.
"It was, and still is, a horrific and traumatic event,
and the Muslim community generally expressed
their gratitude for the resources we provided,"
she said.
What began as a simple outreach effort
became a powerful example of Library
staff working together to help families
find comfort, understanding and support.
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