Menu Close

APALA Newsletter – Fall 2025

President’s Message

Dear APALA Members,

As fall settles in, I’ve been thinking about all of you – our incredible APALA community – and the energy and heart you bring to the association every single day.

There’s something about this season that feels hopeful to me. It could be the way autumn invites us to both celebrate what we’ve grown and dream about what’s next. That’s exactly where APALA is right now: honoring the amazing work of Asian Pacific American (APA) and Pasifika library professionals while looking forward to the change we’ll create together.

Read More

In Loving Memory of Florante Peter Ibanez (1951 – 2025)

For many of us in APALA, Florante was more than a mentor, colleague, or friend.  He was a builder of AANHPI spaces, connections, and new possibilities. Ever-present with his camera, he documented every APALA milestone, ensuring our stories were honored and remembered. As APALA Past President (2010-2011) and our unofficial photographer for many years, Florante had a unique way of making everyone feel seen and valued. He built community with intention, led activism with humility and determination, and offered mentorship that uplifted without overshadowing. His love, wisdom, and devotion to his APALA family are among our most treasured memories.

Read More

Announcements and News

  • Congratulations to Dora Ho for being inducted to the California Library Association’s Hall of Fame!
  • The City University of Seattle conferred the Doctor of Education in Leadership degree to Dr. Jess Koshi-Lum in June 2025. Dr. Koshi-Lum’s dissertation was titled Understanding the Leadership Pathways and Barriers to Success for Asian American Public Library Leaders. This study examined the lived experiences and leadership pathways of mid-level and senior-level Asian American public library leaders in California.
  • The APALA Scholarships and Awards Committee is excited to announce the recipient of the 2025 APALA Scholarship Award and the APALA Sage & JCLC NALCo LIS Student Scholarship: Megan Bauerle and Elaine Kong.  Read the full announcement here.
  • The application for the Talk Story 2026 Grant is now open. This grant supports library and community organizations in their efforts to highlight Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) stories through programs, services, and collection materials. The aim is to support family literacy, intergenerational programming and service, cultural literacy, and representation of AANHPI and AIAN identities and communities.

    Read More

APALA Executive Board Nominations

Do you know amazing members who would be awesome to serve on our Executive Board as APALA’s Vice-President/President-Elect, Treasurer, or a Board Member-at-Large (2 positions)?  APALA needs your energy, passion, and skills!😁 
APALA’s Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for:

Vice-President/President-Elect (3 year term)
Treasurer (2 year term)
Member-at-Large (2 year term, 2 positions available)

If you would like to nominate a fellow member, please be sure you have received the nominee’s consent first. You may also reach out to Jaena Rae Cabrera, chair of the Nominating Committee (jaenarae@apalaweb.org), so that the Committee can follow up.

If you or a fellow APALA member is interested in serving, please complete this nomination form by January 31, 2026. 

Read More

Featured Articles

Author Interviews & Book Reviews

Chapter News