Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Thursday, May 5
AAPI Children’s Day Event | 3 PM – 4 PM @ El Dorado Neighborhood Library
Join us for a very special event and learn about Children’s Day (or Japanese Boy’s Day) with a short storytime, crafts, activities, and traditional Japanese sweets.
Archaeology Lecture: Introduction to Angkor Civilization | 5:30 PM @ Mark Twain Neighborhood Library
Learn about the Angkorian world! We will discuss some findings from the University of Hawaii’s part of The Greater Angkor Project that shed light on how people lived and worked in this ancient kingdom. For teens and adults.
Saturday, May 7
Cambodians in Long Beach | 3 PM – 4:30 PM @ the Miller Room, Billie Jean King Main Library
As part of the Miller Room Local History Lecture Series, explore the history of the Cambodian community in Long Beach and the Cambodian Community History and Archive Project (CamCHAP). This program will be presented by Dr. Susan Needham, alinguistic anthropologist at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and Dr. Karen Quintiliani, an applied anthropologist at California State University, Long Beach.
Tuesday, May 10
Game Night: Parcheesi, Pachisi, and Sorry! | 4:30 PM – 6 PM @ the Miller Room, Billie Jean King Main Library
Calling all board game lovers -- join us as we kick off monthly game nights at the Miller Room! This month we'll be playing variations of the Indian board game Pachisi -- including Parcheesi and Sorry!, two American adaptations of Pachisi. For all ages.
Thursday, May 12
ArtLAB AAPI Program w/ Disney Animator Benson Shum | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM @ Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library
Join us for a special ArtLAB with a special guest Benson Shum: artist, writer, illustrator, and animator extraordinaire. Benson has worked at Disney as an animator for Frozen II, Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Encanto. Benson is also a published author and illustrator with notable works such as Anzu the Great Kaiju, and Holly's Day at the Pool. For children ages 7 and up. Registraion required.
Friday, May 13
Asian Film Series: Eat Drink Man Woman | 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM @ the Miller Room, Billie Jean King Main Library
As part of our monthly Asian Film Series @ The Miller Room, we'll be watching and discussing the delicious 1994 Taiwanese foodie flick Eat Drink Man Woman, directed by Ang Lee. Rated PG, limited seating.
Saturday, May 14
Snack Battle: the Asia Edition | 1 PM – 2 PM @ the Teen Lounge, Billie Jean King Main Library
Teens will have a chance to taste test items (chips/gummies) from different countries in Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Experience and taste flavors of a different culture!
Did you know that the popular Latin American sauce “chamoy” traces its origins to Asia? Join us on a cross-cultural food journey as we learn more about chamoy and other Latin American cuisine with Asian roots. Samples provided, for all ages.
Tuesday, May 17 | 5 PM - 7 PM @ Bach Neighborhood Library
Thursday, May 19 | 4 PM – 6 PM @ El Dorado Neighborhood Library
Thursday, May 26 | 4 PM – 6 PM @ Billie Jean King Main Library
Furoshiki with Stacy Wong
Furoshiki are Japanese cloth squares used for wrapping items. Join artist Stacy Wong for this furoshiki cloth printing and wrapping tutorial program! Create your own unique furoshiki print and practice various wrapping techniques. Registration is required, space is limited. For teens and adults.
Saturday, May 21
Celebrate AAPI stories and culture at the first ever FAB LB! Meet local AAPI adult, teen, and children’s authors as they share their work through a series of readings and panel discussions. Join us for children’s activities, cultural performances, and a creative writing workshop for teens and older! Featured books and sweet treats available for purchase. Register here.
Animanga Club Kick-off | 1 PM – 2 PM @ the Teen Lounge, Billie Jean King Main Library
Teens (ages 13-17) are invited to enjoy new and classic anime and manga alike! Explore themes, discuss topics, analyze characters, or nerd-out on the random storylines.
Wednesday May 25
BTS ARMY Unite! | 4 PM – 5:30 PM @ Mark Twain Neighborhood Library
Calling all teen ARMY (both new & old) or K-pop enthusiasts! Join us in celebrating BTS, the global super group from South Korea. Drop by for some snacks, enjoy some music, declare your bias, and make a button and/or bracelet to show your allegiance! Teens ages 13-18 only!
AAPI-THEMED STORYTIMES
Thursdays, May 12 & May 19 | 10 AM @ Billie Jean King Main Library - Cuentos y Cantos: the AAPI Edition!
Saturday, May 14 | 10:30 AM @ Bret Harte Neighborhood Library - Family
Tuesday, May 17 | 4:00 PM @ Mark Twain Neighborhood Library – Afterschool, Theme: Pandas!
Saturday, May 21 | 10:30 AM @ Los Altos Neighborhood Library – Family
Saturday, May 21 | 11:30 AM @ Mark Twain Neighborhood Library – Toddler, Bilingual Spanish
GET CRAFTY!
We’ve collaborated with Los Angeles artist, Markedbym, to bring you 3 unique Asian Pacific American Heritage Month coloring sheets! All 3 designs are available for pickup at any LBPL branch, or you can print the designs from our website.
Make & Take Crafts @ Bret Harte Neighborhood Library | May 17 – May 31
Stop by the Bret Harte Library between May 17 to May 31 to make a paper version of the Vietnamese nón lá (conical) hat that you can wear! Or decorate and craft your very own Asian paper fan! Supplies may be limited.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
Food Talk: Cambodian & Filipino Desserts! | Wednesday, May 11 @ 2 PM
Learn more about some of our favorite, yummy Filipino & Cambodian desserts!
Food Demo: Spam Musubi | Wednesday, May 18 @ 2 PM
Learn to make a Hawaiian favorite, spam musubi, a delicious sushi-like combination of rice, seaweed, and Spam!
AAPI Book and Film List
