Join the Charleston County Public Library in celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2025. It’s a time to highlight the lives and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The monthlong celebration began in the United States in 1992. Visit select branches for programs, displays and explore our collection.
Programs
Here are some programs happening in May. For a list of all programs happening across the 18 library branches, click here to learn more.
Thursday, May 1 at 3:30 PM | Crafting Koinobori
Join us to make paper koinobori, carp-shaped windsocks that are traditionally flown outside Japanese households in the weeks leading up to Children’s Day, a national holiday celebrated on May 5th. This program is for kids and families.
Saturday May 17 at 11 AM | Japanese Braiding (Kumihimo)
Learn how to make kumihimo, traditional Japanese braiding. These beautiful braids can be made into bracelets, key chains and more. This program is for adults and all materials will be supplied. This program will take place in Creative Studio 2. Registration is required, email [email protected] to register.
Friday, May 30 at 2:00 PM | Wando Cinema: Crazy Rich Asians
Rachel Chu a NYU professor, travels with her boyfriend, Nick, to his hometown in Singapore for his best friend's wedding. Before long, his secret is out: Nick's family is wealthy, and he's considered the most eligible bachelor in Asia. Rated PG-13.
Learn a new language with Mango
Your CCPL library card gives you access to Mango Languages where you can choose from more than 70 languages to learn. This resource adapts to your unique learning style, so you pick up on new vocabulary and train your pronunciation, all while boosting your cultural IQ, according to Mango. Get started learning new languages here.
About Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month began as a weeklong celebration in 1979. This joint resolution was passed by the House and then the Senate and was signed by President Jimmy Carter on October 5, 1978, before becoming a monthlong celebration. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, according to the Library of Congress. The website says, the majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.