Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed in the United States during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. 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 the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
LIBRARY EVENTS
Click on a library branch name to see a list of events.
DIY: Weaving
Saturday, May 9, 3PM-4PM
Celebrate AAPI with Springstowne Library and Jie Jie’s Art Box. Join us as we craft bracelets and small boxes using weaving techniques that were used in many AAPI cultures.
Intro to Chinese Brush Painting
Saturday, May 10, 10:30AM-11:30AM
Celebrate AAPI Month with the Joys of Chinese Painting and learn to paint! Registration required.
Martial Arts Demonstration
Saturday, May 10, 1PM-2PM
We’re celebrating AAPI Month! Join us Saturday, May 10 at 1pm for a martial arts demonstration at the Springstowne Library. Check out the showcase from the students from Delgado’s Martial Arts.
Make a Koinobori
ALL MONTH in MAY, ALL DAY
Join us for this month’s drop in craft starting Monday, May 12. Celebrate AAPI month with making your very own koinobori. The koinobori is a carp streamer that symbolizes the desire for children to become brave and strong. They are flown on poles outside public buildings or private residences to bring luck and fortune to the children inside. During our open hours, use the paper carp template and materials to decorate and hang up at home.
Filipino Cooking Demo with Chef Roline
Monday, May 12, 3:30PM-4:30PM
Celebrate AAPI Month with Chef Roline as she demonstrates how to cook three Filipino dishes – lumpia, pancit and sisig!
Cultural Club: AAPI Month- Korean
Wednesday, May 28, 2PM-3PM
Socialize, snack, and do themed activities! During this meeting of Cultural Club we will celebrate AAPI month by sampling a common Korean snack for kids, listen to popular music from k-pop artists, and make our own paper and feather fans inspired by the kind used for 부채춤 / buchaechum / Korean Fan Dance. DIY Fan video instructions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZCSBTbQbrg
Afternoon Book Club: May Theme: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Thursday, May 8, 3PM-4PM
For May read any book that deals with subject matter related to the Asian American/ Pacific Islander experience, then bring it to book club and discuss with fellow attendees!
Celebrate AAPI Month with Karaoke
Thursday, May 29, 5:30PM-7PM
Originating in Japan, the word, “karaoke,” literally means “empty orchestra.” Since the introduction of the first karaoke machine in 1971, karaoke remains most popular in Asia compared to the rest of the world. To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, display your singing talents during an evening of karaoke at the library.
Hale Hula O Na Pua
Saturday, May 31, 11AM-12PM
Hale Hula O Na Pua returns to Fairfield Civic Center Library to celebrate Asian Amerian Pacific Islander Month with music and hula kahiko and hula auana!
Korean Kimchi Tasting
Tuesday, May 6, 6:30PM-7:30PM
Join us as we learn about and taste an array of different kimchi! Please register.
Try Tinikling! Casual Filipino Folk Dance Fun
Saturday, May 10, 2:30PM-3:30PM
Drop in to explore the Filipino folk dance, tinikling, through videos and self-guided practice- no formal instruction provided.
Japanese Shibori: Japanese resist-dye class for adults and older teens
Saturday, May 17, 1PM-2:30PM
Learn the traditional Japanese art of Shibori dyeing and create your own hand-dyed tea towel in this workshop led by Yuzu+Rose. For adults and older teens. Please register.
Tuesday Evening Book Club: Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Tuesday, May 20, 6:30PM-7:30PM
Real Americans is a 2024 novel by American writer Rachel Khong, published by Knopf. The novel follows a Chinese American family across three generations in both China and the United States.[1]
Pabitin Filipino Craft & Activity
Saturday, May 24, 10:30AM-11:30AM
Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Learn about Filipino culture by playing pabitin or crafting a mini version to take home. Pabitin is a popular Filipino party game where treats and toys are suspended from a hanging bamboo lattice. Best for ages 5 and up.
Afternoon Adventures: World Crafts
Thursday, May 1, 3PM-4:30PM
Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Month with fun crafts! Explore Japanese paper folding, create your own Tiki art and more!
Learn Qigong: Develop and Cultivate Your Energy and Life
Monday, May 12, 10AM-11:30AM
Join us the second Monday of every month at 10:00am. Each session will include a series of Qigong warmups and movements followed by a seasonal self care discussion.
This sessions are open to adults 18+
Afternoon Book Club: Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
Wednesday, May 14, 1PM-2PM
Interior Chinatown tells the story of Willis, a Chinese American actor, dreams of playing Kung Fu Guy but is stuck in stereotypical roles. Living in Chinatown, he struggles against limits set by Hollywood, culture, and family as he searches for his true identity.
Chef Roline Cooking Demo & Tasting
Thursday, May 22, 4PM-5:30PM
Join us for a delicious & informative Filipino cooking demo with local business owner, Chef Roline! Of course, no demo is complete without a tasting, so bring your appetite! This event is part of a systemwide initiative to support Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Registration is required.
Teen Rainbow Reads Book Club
Thursday, May 8, 3PM-4PM
The Magic Fish is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel written and illustrated by Trung Le Nguyen. The novel tells the story of Tiến Phong, a second generation American Vietnamese teenager, who helps his mother learn English through fairy tales while struggling to tell her about his sexuality.
Adult Craft Club: Make it Together: Sachiko Handkerchiefs
Thursday, May 8, 6PM-7PM
Sachiko is a traditional Japanese needlework technique used for reinforcing and mending fabric. This Make it Together day we will create Sachiko handkerchiefs in celebration of AAPI heritage month.
Evening Book Club: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei
Thursday, May 8, 6PM-7PM
They Called Us Enemy is a 2019 graphic novel that is a collaboration by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker. It is about Takei’s experiences during the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II.
K-Pop + Chill
Thursday, May 15, 5PM-6PM
Come for the K-Pop + stay for the Kimchi Demonstration at 6PM.
Kuwentuhan Tayo! – Bilingual Tagalog Storytime
Friday, May 16, 10AM-11AM
Engage your kids with stories, songs, rhymes, in Tagalog,for kids of all ages. Halina at magsaya sa mga kuwentong pambata, matuto ng simpleng salitang Tagalog, at tuklasin and kulturang Pilipino.
Hale Hula O Na Pua – Hawaiian Dance Performance
Saturday, May 24, 11AM-12PM
Join us for a family-friendly Hawaiian dance performance!
Iu Mien P.S Sunshine Dance Performance
Saturday, May 10, 1PM-2pm
Celebrate AAPI month at the Rio Vista Library with a performance by the Iu Mien dance group P.S Sunshine. Learn about Iu Mien culture and enjoy this free performance for all ages!
FILMS
Kanopy offers free access to an impressive lineup of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage films. Immerse yourself in the rich stories that highlight the diverse experiences, traditions, and histories of the AAPI community. From heartwarming dramas to eye-opening documentaries, there’s something for everyone. All free with your library card.
DISCOVER & GO
Discover & Go is a program provided by your library that offers free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other cultural destinations. You must be 14 years or older and live within the library’s service area to use the Discover & Go Service.
Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Month by visiting the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco– one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art. Get your passes through Discover & Go.
LOTE4KIDS
LOTE4Kids is an online database of children’s picture books in various World Languages to engage culturally and linguistically diverse families in our communities! To celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, read a story from an AAPI culture and enjoy language learning through storytelling—available online and on the LOTE4Kids app.
LIBBY
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with eBooks and audiobooks for all ages! Explore powerful stories by AAPI authors—available now on Libby with your library card.
Adult:
https://solano.overdrive.com/collection/1676095
Teen:
https://solano.overdrive.com/library/teens/collection/1676515
Kids:
https://solano.overdrive.com/library/kids/collection/1676073
CATALOG
Explore a librarian-curated collection of books that highlight Asian American and Pacific Islander voices and experiences. Available for all ages in our catalog this AAPI Heritage Month!