May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the culture, traditions and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States. AAPI Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to recognize the important role that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played in shaping American history and the challenges they have overcome. Throughout the month of May, Anne Arundel County Public Library will host events and offer a wide range of resources, including books, movies and online materials that highlight the diverse experiences, cultures and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Join us as we celebrate the rich and vibrant heritage of AAPI communities.
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at your local library by attending fun, educational events!
- Discover the ancient techniques of bonsai, create art inspired by Asian American and Pacific Islander artists and learn the Japanese art of gyotaku (fish printing).
- Experience traditional and contemporary Japanese rhythms and songs during a captivating, interactive taiko (Japanese drumming) performance.
- Learn about hula and the traditions of the Hawaiian Islands with Hula Maryland of Crofton.
- Bring your little one to Armenian and Urdu bilingual storytimes to enjoy stories and sing songs while building early literacy skills.
- Join Kalanidhi Dance on an exciting journey to India through the South Indian classical dance form of Kuchipudi.
- Are you a fan of anime and manga? Share in the love of Japanese animation and comics at our anime/manga clubs!
- Enjoy a screening of Past Lives (2023), make a themed craft while watching Moana (2016) and join us for our Family Movie Night featuring Turning Red (2022).
- Caught up in hallyu (the Korean Wave)? Venture through our K-Pop Escape Room and connect with other fans of East Asian culture.
Visit our Asian/Pacific American Interest events calendar for a complete list of programs.
Enrich your knowledge of Asian Pacific American history and cultures using the library’s digital resources!
- Stream movies featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander actors and films highlighting AAPI history and achievements in the arts and media using Kanopy.
- Trace the experiences and impact of Asian Americans as recorded by the news media using our Asian Life in America database.
- Delve into the lives of historical and contemporary Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders like Duke Kahanamoku, Hazel Ying Lee and Yo-Yo Ma using our Biography database.
- Explore information on Asian American and Pacific Islander identity, culture, civil rights, perspectives and more using our Diversity Studies and Opposing Viewpoints databases.
- Learn about Asian American and Pacific Islander cinema, theatre, art and more using our Fine Arts database.
- Discover the history of Asian American and Pacific Islander traditions, cultural migration, societies, immigration and more using our U.S. History and World History databases.
Choose your next read from our lists of books written by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors!
- Check out our booklists for kids, teens and adults.
- Download books by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors in eBook and eAudiobook formats to enjoy instantly using Overdrive/Libby.
- Looking for more books written by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders? Use NoveList’s “Advanced Search” feature to generate a list of books by authors with specific ethnicities and cultural identities.
Published April 29, 2025