To cap off Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Long Beach Public Library will debut its new Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection at Bret Harte Neighborhood Library this Saturday.
“Our newly established Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection, now one of the largest in Southern California, reflects our deep commitment to education, cultural preservation and community empowerment,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “Through this collection and event, we are honoring the deep contributions of our vibrant Filipino American community and encouraging meaningful conversations and shared experiences.”
The Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection contains a wide-ranging selection of bilingual books and multimedia resources for all ages, giving local readers the chance to connect with and celebrate Filipino American heritage. With over 760 items, the collection is one of the biggest of its kind in the region.
Saturday’s event will commemorate Long Beach’s community of Filipino Americans and will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony, cultural performances, a book reading led by Filipino authors and a Filipino family story time. This celebration will also recognize the Filipino community’s contributions and role in transforming the cultural and social fabric of the city, particularly in West Long Beach.
“This is more than a collection—it’s a space for storytelling, identity and recognition,” said Cathy DeLeon, Director of Long Beach Public Library, in a public statement. “We are proud to help amplify Filipino American voices and histories in a way that inspires the next generation.”
All AAPI programs at the LBPL are funded by the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library. Additionally, a segment of the Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection was funded through an Inspiration Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection event will take place Saturday, May 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bret Harte Neighborhood Library, located at 1595 W. Willow St. The LBPL will continue celebrating AAPI Heritage Month through May 31, and residents can visit the Library’s events calendar to peruse its upcoming festivities.
