Stop Asian Hate
The California State Library offers Book to Action, a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding opportunity for public libraries to provide book-themed programming with opportunities for lifelong learning. Book to Action initiatives tackle important issues in the community and encourage reading, community discussion, and action.
Solano County Library is proud to have been chosen to take part with you, our community, in the 2023 #BookToAction initiative!
This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
Our Goal is to Promote Reading, Engage the Community, and Learn More About Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Cultures.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have reported surges in hate incidents, crimes. and violence over the past couple years, often related to racist scapegoating because of the pandemic. It’s important for Solano County Library to feature resources and programming which feature the diversity of Asian cultures and experiences to elevate the AAPI voices and provide a sense of belonging and inclusion in support of the AAPI community.
Solano County Library will offer book club discussions for different age groups and book related programming at each of its nine branches. The opportunity to read and discuss the same book county-wide will help strengthen existing connections and make new ones. The programs are designed to:
- Help people understand the varied experiences and challenges of AAPI;
- Encourage all ages to talk about anti-Asian racism and;
- Celebrate AAPI culture.
2023 Book to Action Pick: New From Here by Kelly Yang
New From Here is about courage, hope, and resilience as an Asian boy fights to keep his family together during the initial outbreak of the pandemic. The novel is a springboard for a series of library programs that will encourage the whole community to learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultures, celebrate diversity, and discuss the varied experiences and challenges of AAPI groups. The Library will encourage dialogue to provide insight into some of the challenges and racism AAPI have faced and continue to face today.
- FREE copies are available at the library and yours to keep or share, while supplies last or
- Borrow the book or download the eBook
- Listen to the audio book (link to catalog when it comes up) or download the audio book.
Book Clubs
Join us as we discuss New From Here. All program participants will receive a copy of New From Here to keep. Please pick up a copy of the book at one of the branches below:
- Family Book Club @ Suisun City Library Tuesday, April 4 @3:30 PM
- Family Book Club @ Vacaville Town Square Library Wednesday, May 17 @4:00 PM
- Family Book Club @ Vacaville Cultural Center Library Thursday, April 27 @3:30PM
- Family Book Club @ Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library
- Thursday, April 13 at 4:30PM
- Thursday, April 27 at 4:30PM
- Thursday, May 11 @ 4:30PM
Special Author Event: Kelly Yang
Join award winning author Kelly Yang for a fun visit! Ms. Yang will talk about her books, especially, New From Here. She will tell us about her life and writing, and take questions from the audience. Book signing will take place immediately after the presentation. Please bring a book for the signing. **Visit your local library to pick up a copy of New From Here to keep, while supplies last.
Saturday, May 20, 2023 2pm
Ulatis Community Center, 1000 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville CA
About New From Here:
When the coronavirus hits Hong Kong, ten-year-old Knox Wei-Evans’s mom makes the last-minute decision to move him and his siblings back to California, where they think they will be safe. Suddenly, Knox has two days to prepare for an international move—and for leaving his dad, who has to stay for work. At his new school in California, Knox struggles with being the new kid. His classmates think that because he’s from Asia, he must have brought over the virus. As racism skyrockets during COVID-19, Knox tries to stand up to hate, while finding his place in his new country.
About the author:
Kelly Yang is the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk, winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature, Parachutes, Three Keys, and Room to Dream. Learn more at KellyYang.com.
Programs
Introduction to Bollywood Dancing
Desi Rhythm Dance will lead teens and adults in a one-hour basic Introduction to Bollywood Dance. Wear something comfortable and come prepared to move! Registration is required as space is limited.
Fairfield Cordelia Library
Saturday, June 17 at 3PM
How to Make Lumpia with Chef Roline
Celebrate AAPI Month with Filipino Chef Roline as she shares her culinary journey from humble beginnings in her Lola’s (grandmother) kitchen to graduating from Napa Valley Cooking School. Adults and Teens, 12 and up are invited to learn how to roll vegetable lumpia to take home and cook later. Ingredients will be provided.
Dixon Library
Tuesday, May 9 at 6PM
Hula with Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center
Vacaville Town Square Library
Saturday, May 13 at 2PM
Hawaiian Dance with Nā Mamo Noʻeau
Nā Mamo Noʻeau will share Hawaiian dance and culture in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. All ages are welcome!
Fairfield Cordelia Library
Saturday, May 13 at 3PM
AAPI Heritage Paint Night
Paint a landscape of Mt. Fuji in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander(AAPI) Heritage Month! Step-by-step instruction will be facilitated by Solano County Library’s own, “The Painting Librarian”, Rhea Gardner! Registration will be limited to 20 participants ages 12 and up! Supplies will be provided. Registrations begin April 18.
Suisun City Library
Tuesday, May 16 at 7PM
Magic Show with Perry Yan
Magician Perry Yan astonishes audiences with sleight of hand and audience participation. Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the Fairfield Civic Center Library for Perry’s spectacular magic show!
Fairfield Civic Center Library
Wednesday, May 17 at 4:30PM
Filipino Cooking Demonstration by “The Perfect Subo” Chef
Join Chef Aleli as she takes you on a flavorful journey and culinary history to the islands of the Philippines. In this cooking demonstration, you will learn how to prepare the Philippines national dish, Adobo, a savory braised meat dish. Then, get ready to shift your taste buds to a sweet cold treat, Buko Pandan. Buko is a type of young coconut and pandan is a fragrant tropical leaf, also known as South East Asia’s version of vanilla. If you’re a coconut fan, this sweet, cold and creamy dessert will be your new favorite summertime (or anytime) dessert! You’ll have a sampling of each dish and a copy of these recipes to share with your family and friends. Chef Aleli will also teach you how to build your pantry with Filipino staples (seasonings/ingredients) so that you can easily prepare Filipino dishes at home. Please register for the event.
Rio Vista Library
Friday, May 19 at 12PM
Kababayan Kids
Kababayan Kids present stories and Filipinx culture in Tagalog and English for families. Learn more about their group at www.kababayankids.com.
Fairfield Cordelia Library
Saturday, May 20 at 10:30AM
&
Vallejo Springstowne Library
Saturday, May 20 at 2:30PM
AAPI Heritage Paint Night
Paint a landscape of Mt. Fuji in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander(AAPI) Heritage Month! Step-by-step instruction will be facilitated by Solano County Library’s own, “The Painting Librarian”, Rhea Gardner! Registration will be limited to 20 participants ages 12 and up! Supplies will be provided. Registrations begin April 23.
Vallejo Springstowne Library
Tuesday, May 23 at 6PM
Mandarin-English Storytime
Join volunteer Mr. Harrison for stories & vocabulary in Mandarin & English. Best for ages 4-10.
Fairfield Cordelia Library
Saturday, May 27 at 10AM
Taiko Drumming
Come and learn about the Japanese art of taiko! Feel the thunderous sounds of the drums vibrating through your body as language, culture, and history combine into an exciting educational experience. You may even get a chance to play the drums yourself! More information about the artist can be found at www.kristyoshiro.com.
Fairfield Civic Center library
Tuesday, May 23 at 2PM
**POSTPONED due to sickness. Taiko Drumming
Taiko drumming with Kristy Oshiro is back!
Vacaville Cultural Center Library
Tuesday, May 30 at 5:30PM
Local AAPI Filmmakers Panel
Local Asian-American filmmakers Kristine Gerolaga, Jazmin Jamias, and Hannah Burgos share their creative calling and discuss their experiences and challenges. View and discuss several short films by these talented and dynamic artists. See bio below:
Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library
Saturday, June 24 at 2-4PM
Kristine Gerolaga is a Filipina American filmmaker and actor from Vallejo, CA. In 2013, she decided to create her own opportunities and wrote/directed her first comedic short film, A PERIOD DRAMA, which just finished a tour in Brazil with The United Nations Population Fund in honor of World Menstrual Hygiene Day. In 2016, she was a top 15 semi-finalist for Justin Lin and YOMYOMF’s Asian American Filmmaker Initiative with her short film, HIT OR MISS. In 2018, two short films from her micro-series STARRING KRISTINE were official selections for the TIFFxInstagram Shorts Fest. She was then awarded a grant by The Future of Film is Female to continue creating her micro-shorts. In 2019, she made her short film, CONCEALER, in partnership with ATTN: and Amazon Fire TV for their filmmaker mentorship. ALTER picked it up in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, two of her horror micro-shorts THE BYSTANDER and OVERTIME were official selections for #13MinutesOfHorror, which streamed on SHUDDER. She became a 2022 Sundance Institute Uprise Grantee to support the development of her Filipino horror feature film, LAMOK. She is critically acclaimed: Vulture called her a “creator to watch.” She was awarded “Most Spirited” by the Vallejo High School Proud Heritage Marching Band four years in a row. And an Airbnb host called her “so sweet, very clean, and an ideal guest.”
Hannah Burgos is a [clinically diagnosed] OCD and CPTSD Filipino-American filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist based in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Her work focuses on empiricism, anthropological curiosities, eroticism, mental health, artful horror, absurdity, and difficult-to-identify strange feelings. Her illustrations, photography and writing have been featured in Adolescent Content, TEETH Magazine and Red Light Lit. She is best known for her first short film, @theinternet (2019), streaming on Argo Media, along with her latest music video collaborations with artists Asha and The Ah, titled House with a View (2022) and Found and Lost (2023). Her third music video, Maybe Melodrama by Blurry the Explorer ft. Indigo Sparke releases in 2023. She is currently developing her first feature screenplay with the UCLA Extension Program for a certification in screenwriting.
Jazmin Jamias is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a degree in Cinema with an emphasis in fictional filmmaking. Her SF state senior thesis film I HATE THE COLOR RED screened in over 25 film festivals. It garnered an audience award and 3 best student film awards. Her short student documentary THE ALTERED LIVES OF LAVONNE SALLÉ screened in 18 film festivals and garnered two Audience awards and one best student documentary award. She was an assistant editor for the documentary feature “Happy” which explores happiness across the globe. She is currently an editing fellow at The American Film Institute in Los Angeles. She recently won the Anne V. Coates Award for student editing from the American Cinema Editors (ACE). She received her BSN in 2019 and is a former Rehabilitation Registered Nurse of 16. 5 years before she decided to follow her passion of film editing.
Get Involved
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC)
Stop Ant-Asian Hate and Violence Initiative
Asian Americans have been part of the American story since its earliest days, and are now the U.S.’s fastest-growing racial group with the potential and power to shape our nation and the policies that affect us. AAJC’s mission is to advance civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.
stopaapihate.org
In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate coalition on March 19, 2020. The coalition tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Solano County Chapter
APAPA has grown into a national organization, empowering our diverse communities, increasing voter engagement, and developing a new generation of AAPI leaders in America. APAPA collaborates with other diverse organizations, public officials, and community leaders to create awareness and support to fight hate crimes, address systemic racism, and provide opportunities for our collective voices to be heard.