Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2026
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
Join the Santa Cruz Public Libraries in celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month throughout May. Discover reading recommendations for adults, kids, and teens, films, and other ways to celebrate the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders and their rich culture.
Programs
Hula Workshop for Kids - Felton Branch Library - Thursday, May 7, 4:00-5:00PM
Reading Recommendations
Freeman Book Awards- Honoring East And Southeast Asian Titles for Children and Young Adults. National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA), the Committee on Teaching about Asia (CTA) of the Association for Asian Studies (AAS), and Asia for Educators (AFE) at Columbia University sponsor the annual Freeman Book Awards for new young adult and children’s literature. The awards recognize quality books for children and young adults that contribute meaningfully to an understanding of East and Southeast Asia. Awards are given in two categories: Children’s and Young Adult on the several countries of East and Southeast Asia.
SCPL Book List: Asian-American Fiction-List of books by Asian American Authors available at the Santa Cruz Public Libraries.
New York Public Library Suggested AAPI Reading List- Explore books for adults, kids, and teens that spotlight a range of experiences within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Epic Reads 52 YA Books to Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month-52 Young Adult books to read with Asian Protagonists.
Film
Kanopy's list of Asian American and Pacific Islander Movies to stream- Watch these titles with your SCPL Library Card.
Resources
-South Bay AANHPI Heritage Festival San Jose
-Federal Asian Pacific American Council
-San Francisco Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration Guide
-UCSC Asian American/Pacific Islander Resource Center
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