About Matilija Lending Library
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 to create a community space where people can connect through books, art, history, and each other. Through Matilija Lending Library, we hope to reflect and uplift the stories, cultures, and experiences of communities of color in El Monte and across the SGV.
Matilija Lending Library operates as a community bookstore and gathering space that supports the broader community and cultural work of Matilija Collective, a fiscally sponsored nonprofit project.
This bookstore and community space would not be possible without Chris and Nellie Tran, our friends, family, community members, and supporters like you. Thank you for helping us build this space together.
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Amy Wong
FOUNDER
Amy J. Wong is a community organizer and climate justice advocate from El Monte, California. A UC Berkeley graduate, she serves as Program Director at Active San Gabriel Valley and co-founded the Matilija Lending Library, a nonprofit uplifting BIPOC literature and culture. She also served on the El Monte Planning Commission from 2018 to 2023. Her work centers collective care, public health, and environmental equity in the San Gabriel Valley.
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Andrew Yip
FOUNDER
Andrew Yip is a U.S. Army veteran, community organizer, and conservation advocate from Hacienda Heights. He co-founded the Matilija Lending Library in El Monte and served on the board of the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority. He now serves on Metro’s Community Advisory Council and works with the National Parks Conservation Association, advancing equity and environmental protection across Southern California.
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