Who We Are
Matilija Lending Library was co-founded by Amy J. Wong and Andrew Fung Yip. We opened our doors on March 19, 2022.
As lifelong San Gabriel Valley residents, we have always wanted a community space in the SGV region where people can connect to books, art, history, and each other. Through the library, we hope to reflect and uplift the lives of people of color in El Monte and the SGV.
This library would not be possible without Chris and Nellie Tran, friends, family, community, and supporters like you. Thank you!
Our Mission
Our mission is to celebrate the diversity of our El Monte and San Gabriel Valley community by uplifting stories by Black, Indigenous, People of Color. We aim to create a space to reflect our people of color communities in the San Gabriel Valley, and build multi-racial solidarity together.
We chose to name our library after the Matilija Poppy, a native plant in Southern California. Even after experiencing fire, matilija seeds are able to germinate and flourish. We hope to carry that transformative spirit at our library.
