Largo, Maryland – Throughout May, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will be hosting a variety of programs for all ages in observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

Commemorated each May since 1979, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is expansive in its scope — and the programming to be hosted across the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System is equally wide-ranging. 

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month spins on regular library programming include film and anime screenings featuring titles like “Ne Zha,” “95 and 6 to Go,” “The Joy Luck Club,” “Monkey Man,” and “The Apothecary Diaries”; themed “Ready 2 Read” storytimes and “Story Explorer” programs; and “Crafternoon” projects featuring paper cranes, koinobori, kakudaku kites, ukiyo-e neko woodblock prints, and Origami — the last made both by hand and with the Cricut machine at the Fairmount Heights DREAM Lab!

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month also gives PGCMLS the opportunity to showcase and share the diversity that is a signature of the Prince George’s community — and of PGCMLS library staff. 

“[PGCMLS has] a really big collection of picture books featuring Filipino culture,” says James Caparas, a librarian at the New Carrollton Branch Library who will be presenting an extended dual-language Filipino storytime on Saturday, May 10 at 11 am. “This storytime is a great way to let our library customers from different communities and backgrounds get to know more about our library’s resources and each other’s cultures.”

In addition to the library system’s staff-led programming, several branches will be hosting special feature programming highlighting performance styles from India, Japan, the Philippines, and Korea, all featuring local artists and guests.

These featured Asian Pacific American Heritage Month performances are highlighted below, alongside a couple highlights from the library system’s standard branch programs. 

For the full calendar of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month events at PGCMLS branch libraries, please visit our website here.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Featured Events

Japanese Koto Recital

Presented by the Washington Toho Koto Society

Free | Wednesday, May 7 at 6 pm | All Ages | Beltsville Branch Library | Link 

Free | Tuesday, May 20 at 5 pm | All Ages | Oxon Hill Branch Library | Link

Free | Wednesday, May 28 at 5 pm | All Ages | Glenarden Branch Library | Link 

At this local musical society’s recital, you can experience the serene beauty and harmonious melodies of traditional Japanese koto music. The koto, a 13-string instrument made of paulownia wood, is the epitome of elegance and simplicity, mirroring the tranquility of Japanese nature. Come enjoy a captivating performance showcasing the exquisite sounds of the koto, played with precision and grace.

STEM for Families: Algae and Seaweed Expert Dr. Isabella Abbott

Free | Thursday, May 15 at 4:30 pm | Ages 5-12 | Bladensburg Branch Library | Link 

In this “STEM for Families” program, kids will learn about Native Hawaiian Ethnobotanist Dr. Isabella Abbott, the first Native woman to receive a PhD in science, and the importance of algae to healthy aquatic systems. 

Filipino Culture Through Arts & Crafts, Dances, and Stories

Presented by Mabuhay, Inc.

Free | Saturday, May 17 at 1 pm | All Ages | Spauldings Branch Library | Link 

Free | Saturday, May 31 at 1 pm | All Ages | Surratts-Clinton Branch Library | Link 

Step into the vibrant world of Filipino culture with this immersive event! Celebrate the colorful traditions of the Flores de Mayo festival by getting hands-on with flower crown-making and crafting woven paper flags. Experience the lively rhythms of Filipino folk dances, from the elegant Cariñosa to the energetic Tinikling. 

Exploring Indian Classical Dance and Hip Hop: An Interactive Dance Class & Demonstration

Presented by chitra.MOVES

Free | Tuesday, May 6 at 5:30 pm | All Ages | Hyattsville Branch Library | Link

Free | Tuesday, May 13 at 5:30 pm | All Ages | Upper Marlboro Branch Library | Link

Free | Wednesday, May 21 at 5:30 pm | All Ages | Laurel Branch Library | Link

In this special interactive dance program that blends Bharathanatyam, an Indian Classical dance form, with elements of Hip Hop, you can experience an exciting cultural fusion while fostering connections with fellow program participants. Led by Chitra Subramanian from chitra.MOVES, this class will feature social exchanges, movement exploration, and simple choreography. This inclusive experience is designed to welcome individuals of all levels and ages.

Book Discussion: “Real Americans: A Novel” by Rachel Khong

Free | Tuesday, May 20 at 6:30 pm | Adults | Virtual Event | Link

Join a virtual book discussion of “Real Americans: A Novel” by Rachel Khong. Accompanying the reader through three very different time periods, all told from three very different perspectives, this novel, like Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club,” examines the relationship between Chinese immigrant parents and their Chinese American children and grandchildren. “A sweeping exploration of choice, chance, class, race, and genetic engineering in three generations of a Chinese American family.” – Kirkus Reviews

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About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of the 2021 Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award for Workforce and Economic Development. Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.