Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
History
National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the culture, contributions, and heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution declaring May 4-10, 1979, as the first Asian Pacific Heritage Week. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed an extension changing Asian Pacific Heritage Week to a month-long observance.
The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid those tracks were Chinese American immigrants.
Virtual Programs
Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 6:30 pm
Planting Asian Vegetables in Los Angeles
Interested in growing vegetables beyond the usual peas and carrots? Expand your palette by planting Asian vegetables in your garden! Master Gardener Florence Nishida discusses a number of easy to grow Asian veggies that will introduce you to new and intriguing textures, colors, fragrances, and tastes. She will also share ways to prepare and cook these vegetables. For adults.
Register here.
Thursday, May 19, 6 pm
Passing for Perfect: The Model Minority Myth
Dr. Erin Khuê Ninh discusses her provocative book Passing for Perfect: College Imposters and Other Model Minorities, a study on Asian American children raised to be high-achieving professionals, and the ways that can backfire. For teens & adults.
Register here.
Friday, May 20, 11 am
Smarty Pants Storytime: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Let’s get ready for school! Enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement while learning school readiness skills and having fun. For kids ages 2 – 5 with their parent or caregiver.
Register here.
Tuesday, May 24, 4 pm
Reading Fun with Salina Yoon
Award-winning author/illustrator Salina Yoon shares tips and tricks for finding inspiration all around you. Learn how she developed 3 books, then draw along with Salina as she demonstrates how to draw some of her favorite characters! For kids.
Register here.
Wednesday, May 25, 6 pm
LGBTQ+ Voices and Allies
SGV API PFLAG is a support group for Asian Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies. Learn about their mission and resources, and gain insight into the API LGBTQ+ experience. For teens & adults.
Register here.
Thursday, May 26, 5 pm
Resilience: Culture and Community with Center for the Pacific Asian Family
Advocates and Community Organizers from CPAF will be leading a workshop exploring the topics of culture and family dynamics, leadership development, the impact of domestic and sexual violence, and community resilience. For adults.
Register here.
Tuesday, May 31, 4 pm
The Tale of the Lucky Cat
Author/illustrator Sunny Seki and his wife/translator Judy explore Japanese culture with a reading of Sunny’s book, The Tale of the Lucky Cat—a retelling of a beloved Japanese folktale—and a demonstration of traditional Japanese toys. For all ages.
Register here.
Asian Pacific Resource Center
The Asian Pacific Resource Center at Rosemead Library was established to serve the needs of the Asian Pacific Islander community in Los Angeles County and to make information about the history and culture of this group available to the general public. Follow the APRC on Facebook for AAPI news, program info, collection spotlights, and more.
Activity Ideas
FOR KIDS & PARENTS
Cup Weaving (Ages 6 – 10)
Ddakji (Ages 7 – 12)
Egg Carton Congkak (Ages 7 – 12)
Glue Batik (Ages 4 – 12)
Koinobori Paper Craft (Ages 4 – 8)
Kōwhaiwhai Pattern Bookmarks (Ages 8 – 12)
Tropical Flower Leis (Ages 4 – 8)
FOR TWEENS & TEENS
Designing Mehndi (Ages 12 – 18)
Historic Filipinotown Mural (Ages 12 – 18)
Paint with Tyrus Wong (Ages 12 – 18)
Potato Seal Stamps (Ages 12 – 18)
FOR ADULTS
Aboriginal Painting
Fashion Design with Anna Sui
Feng Shui
Make Music with Yo-Yo Ma
Stop AAPI Hate
LA County Library remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing equity, inclusivity, and justice for all members of our society. As a gateway to knowledge and access, we have a civic and ethical responsibility to support the advancement, well-being, and resilience of all people. To help propel our mission, we offer a variety of resources and programs to help individuals cultivate and enhance skills and broaden their understanding of other cultures and social issues. Visit our Stop AAPI Hate blog post to see a list of resources.
Share Your Immigration & Citizenship Stories
Los Angeles County is a region of immigrants, and each has a unique and wonderful story to tell. We want to hear yours! Do you remember the day you left? How did you feel when you first became a naturalized citizen? No matter your country of origin or current status, consider sharing your journey with us. Submit your stories in any form such as written narratives (Doc, PDF), images, audio, or video. Submissions will be reviewed and then posted on our LA County Library Community Collections so others can learn and grow from your experiences.
Additional Information
National Asian Pacific American History Month website. The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month – PBS. Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May and every day with a special PBS collection of stories that explores the history, traditions and culture of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
U.S. Census Facts and Features, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021.
Asian Collections at the Library of Congress. With over 2.8 million books, it is one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian language materials outside of Asia.
Asian American Pacific Islander Collection at the Library of Congress. Comprises a number of individual collections pertaining to notable AAPI authors, scholars, activists, and artists including unique material, such as correspondence, manuscript drafts, diaries, photographs, organizational records, interviews, and speeches.
Visit the Asian Pacific Resource Center Reading Room on Overdrive for a curated collection of eBooks and audiobooks by and about Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans for all ages.
Stream Kanopy’s selection of Asian and Pacific Islander feature films and documentaries.
