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.
The past months have shown us why APALA’s mission matters now more than ever. Libraries remain essential spaces for democracy, learning, and community building, and APA and Pasifika library professionals continue to be at the forefront of social justice, advocacy, and inclusive practice.
I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead. Our mentoring and scholarship programs are connecting early-career librarians and LIS students with the support they need to thrive. Our advocacy efforts amplify APA and Pasifika voices in the broader library and literacy circles. Through connections like our Talk Story grants, regional chapters, social events, and membership highlights and interviews, we create opportunities to get to know our people and strengthen our collective impact.
I also know that our advocacy work isn’t easy. From combating anti-Asian hate to pushing for authentic representation in our library profession and communities, from supporting immigrant and refugee communities, queer communities, and all library communities to addressing accessibility and inclusion, our work is far from finished. That’s why we want to focus on exploring how to bridge race, culture, and disability (visible and invisible) to ensure everyone in our community truly feels seen and knows they belong.
I encourage each of you to stay engaged, share your expertise, and support one another. Whether through mentoring a colleague, contributing to APALA initiatives, or simply staying connected through our networks—your participation makes a difference!
Thank you for your continued commitment to APALA and the values we champion, and for being part of this. Thank you for caring about this work even when it’s hard. I’m honored to be in this with you, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll build together!
With gratitude and solidarity,
Eileen K. Bosch
Photo of Eileen taken during the “Asian in Ohio” online interactive exhibit at BGSU University Libraries for Asian Pacific American Islander Heritage Month.