Libélula Books & Co.

Libélula Books & Co.
IndustryBooks
Founded2021 (2021)
FounderJesi Gutierrez, Celi Hernandez
Headquarters
San Diego
,
United States
ProductsNew and used books
OwnerJesi Gutierrez, Celi Hernandez
Websitehttps://www.libelulabooksandco.com/

Libélula Books & Co. is a queer, BIPOC-owned independent bookstore located in Barrio Logan in San Diego, California.[1][2]

Overview

Libélula Books & Co. was founded in June 2021 by Jesi Gutierrez and Celi Hernandez.[1] It is located in a 700-square-foot space at South 26th St. in the historically Mexican-American neighborhood of Barrio Logan in San Diego.[3][4] The bookstore holds a selection of art publications, poetry, LBGTQ literature, graphic novels, feminist literature, social justice-driven nonfiction, Spanish and English works, with an emphasis on indigenous, Black and Chicana/o history and narratives.[3] The selection at Libélula is meant to uplift narratives of several historically marginalized identities such as women or femme, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ.[5][2] The bookstore also carries books by small press houses, self-published magazines by local writers, and new or used publications.[1][6]

Libélula store front, 2024
Libélula Books & Co. store front, 2024
Interior of Libélula Books & Co. in June 2022.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the bookstore is a community centered space, intentionally curated to be a safe space for queer communities and communities of color.[4] They offer free WiFi and a computer for the community's use. They are also in collaboration with the San Diego Brown Beret National Organization to offer free tutoring to youth of the community.[1][5] Additionally, the space is used for screenings, readings, panels, art installations and other projects from local artists and authors.[4][5] Guest artists that have been featured in the space include: Beatrice Zamora, Bob Dominguez, Polaris Castillo, Matt Sedillo.[3]


References

  1. ^ a b c d Lopez-Villafaña, Andrea (2021-08-16). "New bookstore is providing a space for learning, community building in Barrio Logan". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  2. ^ a b Dixon Evans, Julia (2022-04-28). "San Diego Book Crawl returns with newcomer Libélula Books". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  3. ^ a b c Camacho, Roberto (2022-09-19). "How a Small Bookstore Created a Big Space for Community, LGBTQ Youth". Voice of San Diego. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  4. ^ a b c Recinos, Eva (2023-07-11). "Libélula is more than a bookstore, it's where many queer folks can claim their own identities". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  5. ^ a b c Pasalo, Christine (2022-01-19). "Libélula Books & Co. Creates a Safe Space for Literacy and Arts Education". San Diego Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  6. ^ Peña, Lindsey (2022-02-16). "Barrio Logan bookstore works to further diversity, inclusivity". ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV. Retrieved 2023-08-16.

32°41′46″N 117°08′17″W / 32.6960°N 117.1381°W / 32.6960; -117.1381