Dear Friends,

Welcome April, welcome Spring!  We are thrilled to announce that the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library are joining more than 190 libraries across California, Oregon, and Washington this Spring for One Book, One Coast, the largest book club on the West Coast!  The theme this year explores the experiences of Japanese Americans while they were incarcerated in internment camps during World War II. We are excited that Read Together Diamond Bar and One Book, One Coast will share themes and programs from Diamond Bar and beyond!

From April 1st through June 6^th our library will have unlimited digital copies of “They Called Us Enemy” available on the Libby app by Overdrive.  Our library will also feature special programs and activities inspired by the book.  On Friday, April 17^th from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, at our program DYI – Book Vase, we will learn about how Japanese Americans in internment camps used artificial flowers to preserve their culture and resilience, often repurposing items for decor. Learn how to make your own repurposed decor by creating a vase out of a book for artificial flowers.

Also on Friday, April 17^th from 4-5 PM we will be hosting Family Craft Party:  Rug Braiding. During this special program, learn about one of the many ways incarcerated Japanese American families upcycled discarded materials into something beautiful as you turn fabric scraps into a braided rug for your home.

Then, on Saturday, April 25^th, from 2-3 PM, Read Together Diamond Bar will feature our special author program. Join us for an afternoon with Naomi Hirahara, the Edgar Award-winning author best known for her Mas Arai mystery series, the bestselling historical mystery “Clark and Division,” and her deep exploration of Japanese American history.

Finally, on Sunday, May 31^st, One Book, One Coast will end with a special author talk featuring George Takei at East Los Angeles Library and streamed on YouTube Live.

The 32^nd Annual Wine Soirée is just around the corner. Sunday, June 7th, 2026 – Get your Tickets!

The Wine Soirée Planning Committee is hard at work on the 32nd Annual Wine Soirée. It will be held at the Diamond Bar Center on Sunday, June 7^th from 3-7 PM.  Co-chairs Dennis Giardina, Lee Mao and I are excited about this year’s theme: Sippin’ on the Ritz.  We have planned many new activities at this year’s event. Our Wine Committee is gathering some very special wines to pair with the excellent food coming from our Food Committee.  This fundraiser supports the library all year long, and it’s the best party of the year. Tickets are now available here.

Please reach out to me if you would like to help or to donate.

Sincerely,

Susan Pantages
President
Diamond Bar Friends of the Library