Christian Esquevin is no stranger to the Coronado community.
He served as director of the Coronado Public Library from 1988 to 2018 and was president of the Coronado Film Festival, of which he is still a board member.
He also became the newest president of the Coronado Roundtable, a monthly meeting that brings speakers to discuss the world and current affairs and local issues within the Coronado community.
The group’s first meeting of 2023 was Jan. 27, and the guest speaker was Scott Evans, CEO of Sharp Coronado, Chula Vista and Grossmont.
The Roundtable meets at 10 a.m. on the fourth Friday of every month in the Winn Room of the Coronado Library, 640 Orange Ave. Between 30 to 100 people typically attend, Esquevin said.
Esquevin has lived in Coronado since 1975, and has been retired since 2018. He previously worked for the San Diego County Library before coming to Coronado.
Making library “safe and welcoming”
During his time as director of the Coronado Public Library, Esquevin sought to ensure the library was a safe and welcoming place for individuals of all ages.
“When you are a librarian, you tend to do everything, especially when you get into library management,” he said.
He said his duties included fundraising, bringing artworks to the library, managing conflicts with library users, and architecture of the facility.
He oversaw the library’s expansion, which almost doubled the size of the library from 22,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet, and he has expanded services for military members, students, younger children, and other members of the Coronado community.
“We made sure there was a space for teens to make sure they felt safe and secure.”
Christian Esquevin
“Children’s services and services for teens and high schoolers were important. So as soon as we expanded our services, we made sure there was a space for teens to make sure they felt safe and secure,” said Esquevin.
He was president of the Coronado Island Film Festival the past two years, ending in December, and remains an active board member. Esquevin says that throughout the years, the Coronado Island Film Festival has introduced people to Coronado and its community, and it’s held annually around Veterans Day in November.
Featured speakers last year included Jacqueline Bisset, an international film star and Golden Globe Award winner, and Geena Davis, a two-time Academy Award winner who played in iconic movies “Thelma & Louise” and “A League of Their Own.”
‘Shaped policy’
Nowadays, Esquevin focuses on serving the community as president of the Coronado Roundtable.
This year marks the roundtable’s 40th year, and Esquevin hopes there will be an increase in attendance.
Charles Martoglio, a retired vice admiral for the U.S. Navy who sits on the board of the Coronado Roundtable, praised Esquevin for his work at the library and his community service.
Martoglio said that Esquevin “has shaped policy at the Coronado Roundtable routinely ensuring relevant speakers” addressed key issues.
“He has advanced the Coronado Island Film Festival from inception, to development, to being a remarkably successful event in Coronado, San Diego, Southern California, and beyond,” Martoglio said.
“He has advanced the Coronado Island Film Festival from inceptions…”
Charles Martoglio, retired vice admiral for the U.S. Navy
He added that it was “no exaggeration to say Coronado is a better place because of Christian Esquevin.”
“His understanding of how to take an idea from inception to execution, no matter how complex, has resulted in the preservation of historic and local works of art, a library that serves the community from the very young to the more mature, community activities that generate enthusiasm among residents and revenue for Coronado businesses,” Martoglio said.
