Copley Connects Fall 2025 / Spring 2026

enjoy a tour of the City of Monterrey. They toured through the old city, the new seat of government monuments, and enjoyed a mountain drive for a panoramic view of the city from beneath the third largest Mexican flag in the country. UDEM and USD are anticipating the next five years of intralibrary collaboration and personnel exchanges so the two libraries can continue to learn from one another and develop insightful ways to serve their respective users. Copley librarians and staff are already looking forward to the next opportunity to visit UDEM. Cruising Through History: The Lowrider Stamp Unveiling By Amanda Makula , Digital Initiatives Librarian What a day! On Friday, March 13, the Logan Heights Library was the place to be as the community gathered for the highly anticipated “First Day of Issue Dedication Ceremony” for five, custom-designed USPS stamps, each featuring a unique lowrider vehicle. With an incredible turnout of roughly 1,000 attendees, the energy was electric, proving that the heart of lowrider culture beats stronger than ever in San Diego!

The event was a vibrant mix of music, speakers, and visual delight. Some of the vehicles featured on the stamps – such as the intricately painted 1987 green Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme named “Pocket Change” – were on display at the event for attendees to admire and photograph. Individuals and families lined up to purchase stamps, then enjoyed a celebratory

program featuring a mariachi band, traditional blessing, the 82nd Airborne Division San Diego Chapter Color Guard, a performance of the national anthem, and remarks by several local politicians including Mayor Todd Gloria. The ceremony culminated in an official unveiling of the stamps, set to War’s iconic 1975 “Low Rider” song. USD Professor of Ethnic Studies Dr. Alberto Pulido and Rigo Reyes, Director of Community Development at Via International, both key collaborators on the San Diego Lowrider Archival Project, rounded out the program with remarks about the history and legacy of lowriding, noting that what had once been banned from the streets was now recognized and celebrated as a movement of artistry and cultural expression. Pulido also drew parallels between the “low and slow” ethos of lowriding and the wait and anticipation of sending and receiving stamped “snail mail” through the postal service. Copley Library was represented by Dean Theresa Byrd, Associate Deans, Laura Turner and Regina Gong, Associate Professors, Diane Maher and Amanda Makula, and Digital Initiatives Assistant, Michael Conlee. Makula exhibited a display of the lowrider archive and Conlee designed commemorative bookmarks for distribution at the event. They were so popular that many guests snagged extras for their grandkids! And the celebration doesn’t stop here. Digital Initiatives is now working with local filmmakers and photographers to add fresh footage and photos from the event to Digital USD. If you have photos or stories from the San Diego lowrider community, we would love to hear from you! Drop us an email at digital@sandiego.edu. Thank you to everyone who made this “cruise” down memory lane such a massive success! “Low and slow is the only way to go!”

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