Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage thousands of years old and have both shaped the history of the United States and had their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history. 

The Palo Alto City Library celebrates our Asian American and Pacific Islander community and shares their rich heritage through activities, events, and education.  

Library Events: 

• Family Storytime (all ages): Join us for AAPI-themed stories, rhymes, and songs on:                        
  • Wednesday, May 5 @ 11 AM 
  • Thursday, May 19 @ 11 AM

• Learn How to Make Dumplings with Samantha Mui (Saturday, May 7 @ 2 PM): Samantha Mui, author of Melting Pot: Stories and Recipes from a Chinese American Daydreamer, will show us how to make dumplings. This class has three parts: making the filling, wrapping the dumplings, and cooking the dumplings. Registration is required. 

• Brown Bag Book Club will be discussing The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui (Tuesday, May 10 @ 12 PM) Registration is required. 
• Stay Woke Book Club will be discussing Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu (Saturday, May 14 @ 11 AM) Registration is required. 
• Shibori Workshop for Adults (Wednesday, May 18 @ 6 PM) Explore the ancient Japanese dyeing technique of shibori at this beginner's workshop. Registration is encouraged as supplies are limited, however walk-ins are welcome while supplies last! 
• Teach a Librarian How to Play Videogames on Twitch.tv (Thursday, May 19 @ 5 PM): This Stream will feature AAPI content creators in the Dreams universe for PS4 and PS5. This will be our first PS5 game stream! 
• Shibori Workshop for Teens (Friday, May 20 @ 4:30 PM) Beginner's shibori workshop for teens. Registration is encouraged as supplies are limited, however walk-ins are welcome while supplies last!

Book Recommendations: 

Children 

• AAPI Heritage Month: Picture Books 
• AAPI Heritage Month: Middle Grade Books 

Teens & Adults 

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 
• AAPI Artists to Watch, Read, and Listen To  
• #OwnVoices Mysteries 
• Thrilling Crime and Mystery by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors 
• Asian American Experiences 
• Asian American and Pacific Islanders 
• Fantastic Words and Wonders by AAPI authors 
• #StopAsianHate - Celebrating AAPI Heritage for Teens 
• #StopAsianHate - Celebrating AAPI Heritage books for Adults

All ages 

• AAPI Graphic Novels 
• AAPI Cookbooks

eLibrary Resources (available with your library card): 

• Check out eBook collections on Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla featuring Asian and Asian-American authors and stories. 
• Explore Asian American documentaries & films on Kanopy. 
• Kono for Libraries: Browse popular magazines from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea presented in the original language.

Additional Resources: 

• The Oakland Asian Cultural Center is hosting a Virtual Book Talk: “The All-American Crew”, opens a new window with Author Russell N. Low on May 27 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. The online event is free with registration. 
  
• Visit the Asian Art Museum in-person, enjoy virtual tours, or browse online collections.
• CAAMFest 2022, the nation's largest showcase of emerging Asian and Asian American films, returns May 12-22. 
  
• Several episodes of Pacific Heartbeat, the national public television series of about the Pacific Islander experience are available to watch on YouTube., opens a new window
• Check out virtual collections and exhibits, as well as audio and video recordings, at Asian Pacific Heritage Month, a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and other participating government organizations. 

Supporting AAPI: 

• Report hate at Stand Against Hatred 
• Attend bystander training offered by Right to Be to stop anti-Asian harassment and xenophobia. 
• IMPACT Bay Area offers classes on self-defense, safety, and specific strategies for AAPI individuals facing harassment. 
• Support AAPI-owned businesses, such as local eateries. 

Consider donating to these causes: 

• Stop AAPI Hate 
• Asians Advancing Justice 
• Save Our Chinatowns 
• #HateIsAVirus 
• AAPI Community Fundraisers (GoFundMe) 

Alicia Hulten, Youth Services Librarian, Mitchell Park Library | Follow @MissAlicia on Bibliocommons