The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) has announced the May 2026 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month theme: “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.”
This theme celebrates the strength and resilience of AANHPI communities, highlighting how coming together and supporting one another can create meaningful change. It emphasizes sharing stories, building connections and working collaboratively to uplift communities. The bridge imagery represents unity, innovation and a sense of belonging, reflecting the values that help AANHPI communities thrive.
Movie & Craft Night: The Joy Luck Club
5/4 | 5:30 p.m. | Barr Library Creative Experience
Enjoy The Joy Luck Club while creating your own mahjong tile keychain, no experience required. Adults. Registration Required.
Children's Day Festival
5/5 | 4 p.m. | Divoll Library
Kodomo no Hi, or Children's Day, is a celebratory event in Japan that serves as a reminder that we should honor and cherish children. Join for some fun Japanese-themed crafts to celebrate!
Watoji: An Introduction to Traditional Japanese Bookbinding
5/5 | 6 p.m. | Carpenter Library’s Auditorium
Discover the elegant art of Watoji (Japanese bookbinding) in this hands-on workshop! A mix of materials will be used—some traditional to the craft and others chosen in the spirit of public library resourcefulness. All materials provided while supplies last. Perfect for beginners—no experience required! Adults. Registration Required.
Buder in Bloom: Afternoon Communi-Tea
5/9 | 1 p.m. | Buder Library
Enjoy tea and community as we explore countries across Asia. Kids. Teens.
Building Community Through Meditation and Breathing
5/9 | 1 p.m. | Buder Library
Stress management doesn’t have to be a solo endeavour. In fact, taking time to sit with our thoughts and meditate alongside others can be a powerful way of building community and strengthening ties across cultures. Join us as members of the Fo Guang Shan St. Louis Buddhist Center lead a secular, guided meditation. Adults.
SLPL acknowledges that for many, meditation is an element of their spirituality. Secular in nature, the purpose of this program is to inform, educate, and celebrate diverse cultures. Staff approach any programming with cultural humility and take appropriate steps to educate themselves before offering programming on another culture, to ensure they're representing other cultures accurately and respectfully. Adults.
Kimbap Cooking Class: Learn to Make Korean Seaweed Rice Rolls
5/9 | 1 p.m. | Walnut Park Library
Join us to learn how to make Kimbap (김밥), a popular Korean dish made of rice, vegetables and other ingredients—often including a protein—rolled in seaweed. Participants will learn about the ingredients, work together to prepare kimbap, and then gather to enjoy the meal as a group. Using the shared experience of preparing and eating food, this program fosters unity, dialogue, and mutual understanding. This program is in collaboration with the Gateway Korea Foundation. Ingredients and rolling mats will be provided. Adults. Registration Required.
We Ate It First: The St. Paul Sandwich
5/12 | 6 p.m. | Central Library’s Carnegie Room
The St. Paul sandwich is one of St. Louis’ most iconic — and most puzzling — local foods. Served in Chinese restaurants across the city but unknown almost anywhere else, it has inspired decades of speculation about its origins. In this illustrated lecture, genealogy librarian and local historian John Cline traces the surprising story of the St. Paul sandwich through newspaper archives, neighborhood history, and immigration records. What begins as a simple sandwich unfolds into a uniquely St. Louis tale of adaptation, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange. Adults.
Chopsticks Challenge
5/13 | 3 p.m. | Walnut Park Library
5/20 | 3 p.m. | Baden Library
Test your chopstick skills using beginner or advanced sets to see who can get to the end. Kids will learn about the history of chopsticks and how they are used throughout the cultures of East Asia. Ideal for ages 5-12, or families.
Make Your Own Comic Book
5/13 | 3:30 p.m. | Carpenter Library
Learn about the history of Asian Americans’ contributions to the world of comic books, and then learn how to make your own reproducible comic with simple art supplies and the printers available at the library. Ideal for ages 10 -18.
Buder in Bloom : Flower Power Lei Edition
5/16 | 1 p.m. | Buder Library
Learn, explore and create leis inspired by Pacific Islander Culture. Kids. Teens.
Family Game Night: AANHPI Celebration
5/20 | 4 p.m. | Central Library’s Children's Library
Play video games and board games, and learn more about Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Cultures! Ideal for ages 5+ and their family members.
Buder in Bloom: Paper Lunchbox Craft
5/23 | 1 p.m. | Buder Library
Design your own paper craft lunch box inspired by East Asian Culture. Kids. Teens.
The Language of Art: A Painting & Calligraphy Class
5/23 | 2 p.m. | Schlafly Library
Explore the fascinating origins of Chinese characters that began as simple pictures and evolved into written symbols. Then, create a painting, blending calligraphy with elements of traditional Chinese brush painting. Adults. Registration Required.
Dances of India
5/30 | Noon | Central Library
Join us for Dances of India, a vibrant showcase of India’s classical and folk dance traditions. Adults.
The St. Louis Public Library’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month programming is made possible by the St. Louis Public Library Foundation.