The month of May is National Bike Month, and it aims to highlight the benefits of bicycling and encourages new and experienced riders to get on their bikes and ride.
To celebrate, we interviewed a power duo, father and son, Francisco and Emmanuel, who have been avid participants of the yearly Gira de Libro Library tour event organized by the San José Public Library. This year marks the eleventh annual Gira de Libro Library Tour, a guided community and staff bicycle ride geared to library lovers and bicycle enthusiasts. These tours increase the visibility of our libraries and get librarians out into the community.
In this interview, they share what inspires them to continue participating year after year. Read with caution, as you, too, will be encouraged to join us this May for the Gira de Libro Library tour.
Meet Emmanuel and Francisco
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself:
My name is Emmanuel, and I am a student at Deanza College studying music. My name is Francisco, Emmanuel’s dad, and, funny enough, I work in the IT department of the Santa Clara County library system, so I am familiar with libraries and how important their programming and events are for the community. We are now residents of Fremont, CA, but have lived in San José for many years.
Q: How did you hear about Gira de Libros & what inspired you to join? What keeps you coming back?
Francisco: I found out about the event via email because I subscribed to the SJPL newsletter, and I thought it could be fun. Emmanuel was very young at the time, but I thought it was something fun we could do together.
Over time, we have become invested in the biking community and participate in local events such as Viva Calle and other bike events throughout the city. It is nice to meet other like-minded people.
Emmauel: The community is so welcoming, and this is one of the many reasons I keep coming back every year. I have a fond memory of doing the downtown Dr. Martin Luther King Library route, and we got to meet so many people. I believe that at the time, about 60-70 people participated. Prior to COVID, these events would have drawn large crowds, but after the pandemic, participation has declined. But it is nice to see familiar faces. I also enjoy coming back year after year because there are new routes! One year, we did the route with the library closest to downtown, and another year, we did routes in North San Jose. It is crazy to think that we’ve been participating for over 10 years. I was 9 years old when he first started, and now I’m 19.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in participating in the library’s program, Gira?
Get involved! The bike ride is not difficult, but I do suggest having basic biking skills to ensure safety on the road. Overall, it is so fun, and you get to be in such a welcoming community.
Q: What are you passionate about inside or outside of the library?
Emmanuel: I am deeply passionate about music. I play a variety of instruments, including the piano, violin, and viola. I also collect a lot of CD records, and I use the library to help me pick the music I listen to next.
Francisco: I am originally from Houston, and biking has been a great outlet for me to connect with my son and also explore more of what the Bay Area has to offer. Gira de Libro has been a great event for both my son and me, and I anticipate participating every year.
If you are interested in participating in the Gira de Libros Library Tour, be sure to secure your registration slot. Emmanuel and Francisco are in- are you?
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