Long Beach Public Library Highlights AAPI Cultures Through ‘Festivals, Feasts, and Fun!’
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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA- The Department of Library, Arts and Culture is gearing up for its annual celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May. The month-long event will feature a diverse lineup of free programs that showcase the vibrant cultures, traditions, and stories of AAPI communities in Long Beach.

Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his excitement for the upcoming celebration, stating that AAPI communities are an integral part of Long Beach's identity. He believes that this event is an opportunity for residents of all ages to come together, learn from one another, and experience the unique traditions that make their community so vibrant.

Throughout the month, all LBPL locations will host special story times and cultural programs designed to celebrate AAPI heritage and create welcoming spaces for learning and exploration. In addition, library staff have curated book collections for children, teens, and adults featuring topics such as food and recipes, festivals, and cultural traditions from across the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora.

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Cathy DeLeon, Director of Library, Arts, and Culture emphasized the role of libraries as spaces where culture and community intersect. She stated that this year's theme "Festivals, Feasts, and Fun!" aims to offer programs that invite residents to explore stories, traditions, and creative expressions from across the AAPI diaspora in meaningful ways.

One of the featured programs at Bret Harte Neighborhood Library will be "Level Up Your Space: Vintage Décor from the Philippines" on Saturday May 9th at noon. Led by interior stylist and curator Karena Apollonya Ebora Higgins, this program will provide a unique opportunity to delve into the history and significance of Filipino decorative arts. Participants will also learn how to discover Philippine artifacts and begin their own collections.

LBPL is also inviting the community to participate in One Book One Coast The West Coast - the largest book club on the West Coast connecting more than 140 library systems across California, Oregon, and Washington. This year's book selection is "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei, and discussions will take place at Bach Neighborhood Library, Dana Neighborhood Library, and El Dorado Neighborhood Library. The library's events calendar will have the upcoming book club meeting dates and times, and unlimited digital copies of the eBook will be available through June 6th via the Libby app.

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The celebration of AAPI Heritage Month will continue beyond May and culminate with the fourth annual Festival of AAPI Books (FAB) on July 11th at Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library. This signature event brings together authors, artists, and community members to celebrate storytelling, culture, and history from across Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian communities. FAB will feature children's, young adult, and adult authors as well as vendors, arts and crafts activities for families.

The Festival of AAPI Books is co-hosted with Bel Canto Books and all AAPI Heritage Month programs are generously funded by the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library and the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. Residents are encouraged to participate in this celebration of culture, creativity, and community. To view the full calendar of AAPI events, visit the Long Beach Public Library's events calendar.

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