President’s Message
Dear APALA Members,
It’s been 60 years since the last New Year of the Fire Horse – and what a powerful symbol to carry into this moment. In Asian communities, the horse represents strength, freedom, loyalty, grace, determination, and endurance. According to my Chinese elders, this year’s alignment between the horse and the element of fire may bring burden, instability, and transformation – yet it also offers us a time to endure challenges, embrace change, and find balance and growth. As I reflect on everything our community has been through, this feels especially resonant.
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News and Announcements
Ann Matsuuchi has co-authored a reference book on science fiction writer Samuel R. Delany with CUNY/SUNY colleagues: Mannion, Elizabeth, Ann Matsuuchi, Lavelle Porter, and Kenny Roggenkamp. Samuel R. Delany : A Reference Guide to His Life and Works. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2025.
APALA Northeast Chapter members Jeanie Pai and Miriam Tuliao co-authored the chapter “Seeking Affinity: Fostering Spaces for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Peers in Libraries” in a new book, Creating Healthy Library Workplaces: Five Factors that Improve Employee Engagement and Satisfaction, published by Bloomsbury in February 2026.
APALA Member and UCLA Student Jean Lin has been selected as a 2025-2026 ALA Spectrum Scholar. She was recently profiled by the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies
In February, APALA members Beatriz Pascual Wallace and Sandy Wee attended the First Day of Issue Dedication Ceremony for the Bruce Lee commemorative postage stamp, hosted at Seattle’s historic Nippon Kan Theater. Speakers at the event shared thoughtful insights and history; they included Sue Ann Kay, Bruce Lee’s friend and first female student; his daughter Shannon Lee; and Jeff Chang, author of “Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America.”For news coverage of the event, see the Seattle Times’ Coverage and when visiting Seattle, be sure to see the exhibit “Be Water My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee,” a permanent exhibit at the Wing Luke Museum.
2026 APALA Literature Awards Banquet
We are thrilled to invite you to the 2026 APALA Literature Awards Banquet. This annual banquet celebrates the authors, illustrators, creators, and storytellers whose works have been honored by the Asian Pacific American Awards for Literature. These storytellers help share the diverse experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika communities, and shape our collective narrative through their creativity and craft.
DATE: Saturday, June 27, 2026
TIME: 6:00-9:00 pm Central
LOCATION:New Furama , 2828 S. Wentworth Ave. (1.4 miles, south of Chinatown Square)
Featured Articles
- Amplifying Asian American Culture and Intersectionality at the Public Library- Michael Lambert
- Author Visit Spotlight: Karina Yan Glaser at Clermont Elementary- Kannan Cangro
- 2025 ALA Reflection: Joe Lee, APALA ALA Travel Grant Recipient
- 2026 Asian Pacific American Awards for Literature Winners
Chapter News
APALA Northeast Chapter- Lunar New Year Parade
A group of feisty and energetic library workers and friends ushered in the Year of the Fire Horse in Manhattan on Sunday, March 1, at the Better Chinatown’s 28th annual Lunar New Year Parade and Festival.
Parade marchers braved the cold temperatures and early morning snow to celebrate and represent “AANHPI Library Workers and Bibliophiles,” which included members of the APALA and CALA Northeast chapters and the New York Public Library system.
We encouraged people to read and handed out stickers and special bookmarks honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander trailblazers. Highlights include hearing people in the crowd shouting how much they love libraries, watching other parade participants and walking by the historic Chatham Square Library.
APALA Northeast Chapter- Virtual Book Club
Please join the APALA Northeast Chapter on Tuesday, April 14 at 12:00 pm EST for the next virtual book club meeting. We will be discussing APALA Literature Award Winner THE LEAVERS by Lisa Ko.
Please fill out the Registration Form
We hope to see you soon!
APALA Southern California Chapter- Cherry Blossom Festival Gathering
Four SoCal APALA members gathered at the San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden’s Cherry Blossom Festival on March 15. We enjoyed networking and chatting while admiring the cherry blossoms, which were 40% in bloom. If you didn’t make it to the event, there’s still time to see the flowers! Thank you to those who attended.
Author Interviews & Book Reviews
Member Highlights
If interested in being featured in a Member Highlight, please contact the APALA Media and Publicity Committee at communications@apalaweb.org.