PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) will highlight Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture through a diverse array of free, public programs and events for all ages, starting with a local author talk for Cambodian New Year in April and continuing with events throughout the month of May in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month. For the second year in a row, the celebration’s flagship event, the Festival of AAPI Books Long Beach, is set to return Saturday, May 13, at the Billie Jean King Main Library. 

"Long Beach’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are integral to the cultural fabric of our diverse city,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Our libraries are promoting inclusivity by uplifting the unique heritage and experiences of our cultural groups.”

AAPI Heritage Month event highlights include the following events, with the complete list of events available on the LBPL events calendar:  

• Saturday, April 22, 2:30 p.m. at Mark Twain Library – Local Author Talk with Katya Cengel, author of “Exiled: The Killing Fields of Cambodia to California and Back.” 
• Saturday, May 6, 1 p.m. at Billie Jean King Main Library – Korean Classical Music and Dance Company.   
• Thursday, May 25, 2:30 p.m. at Michelle Obama Library – ArtLAB: Samoan Palm Weaving with Artist Maria Maea.   
• Tuesday, May 30, 4 p.m. at Burnett Library – Teen Voice Waves: AAPI Poetry with Long Beach Poet Nancy Woo.   

In addition to the above events, the Festival of AAPI Books Long Beach (FAB LB) will return to Billie Jean King Main Library on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event brings together renowned local AAPI adult, teen and children’s authors to celebrate their work through interactive discussions and author readings. The day also includes children’s activities and cultural performances and AAPI small business pop-ups. Books will be available for purchase on site by the event’s co-sponsor and local bookstore, Bel Canto Books.

"Long Beach Public Library embraces and celebrates diversity and takes pride in its delivery of high quality, free programs that are reflective of the community we serve,” said Library Director Cathy De Leon. “Celebrating AAPI Month is an opportunity for us to welcome new faces to the library while also ensuring our community feels seen and heard.” 

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Long Beach Public Library at 562.570.7500 or visit the library’s website at lbpl.org.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Watch us on LBTV. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Long Beach Public Library
Long Beach Public Library, founded in 1896, serves a diverse urban city of close to half a million people. The Long Beach Public Library system includes the Billie Jean King Main Library and eleven neighborhood libraries and a vibrant online presence. In summer of 2017, the Long Beach Public Library was awarded the National Medal for Library and Museum Services in recognition of successful community-collaborations, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and literacy-focused programs to the residents of Long Beach. With an emphasis on providing free and equal access to information and support for learning for a lifetime, the Library offers books, media, databases, Internet access, Family Learning Centers, makerspaces, and a variety of events ranging from story times to educational and cultural programs.

For more information, visit lbpl.org, “Like” the Long Beach Public Library on Facebook, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.