This May, Chicago Public Library celebrates History/Herstory/Theirstory/Ourstory in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. AANHPI stories are a vital part of U.S. history, and we invite you to explore and celebrate them through events, exhibits, book discussions, and reading recommendations. Join us in recognizing the diverse stories that shape our communities—this month and beyond.
Events
Explore all Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month events, including cultural events, film screenings, book discussions and family events.
Keynote
Author Michael Luo: Strangers in the Land
Tuesday, May 6 | 6 – 7 p.m. | Harold Washington Library Center, Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
CPL welcomes journalist Michael Luo to discuss his new book Strangers In The Land: Exclusion, Belonging, And The Epic Story Of The Chinese In America. Michael will be in conversation with Geraldo Cadava, professor of History at Northwestern University. This event will also take place live on CPL's YouTube channel and CPL's Facebook page.
Programs
Music of Cambodia
Saturday, May 3 | 1 – 2 p.m. | Walker Branch
SIJO: Korea's Poetry Form with Lucy Park
Saturday, May 3 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Harold Washington Library Center, Popular Library
Origami Workshop with Ty Yamamoto
Tuesday, May 6 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Portage-Cragin Branch
The Music of Central Asia with Tamir Hargana
Monday, May 12 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Blackstone Branch
Hula Is Life
Wednesday, May 14 | 4 – 5 p.m. | Vodak-East Side Branch
Wednesday Night Improv with Stir Friday Night
Wednesday, May 14 | 6 – 7 p.m. | Sulzer Regional Library
Guzheng Music Appreciation
Saturday, May 17 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Chinatown Branch
The Stories We Live: From Cultural Inheritance to Personal Truth
Thursday, May 22 | 6 – 7 p.m. | Albany Park Branch
Bollywood Groove Workshop: Travel Across India through Dances & Stories!
Saturday, May 24 | 2 – 3 p.m. | Back of the Yards Branch
Exhibit and Artist Workshop
untrammeled: Tranquility, Tension, and the Stories We Leave Behind Exhibit
Sunday, April 6 – Saturday, June 21 | Harold Washington Library Center, 8th Floor
Diana Noh is an interdisciplinary artist working with photography, fiber, and installation. Her practice celebrates reconstructions of distressed photographs of architectural spaces and landscapes, exploring themes of trauma embedded in her family relationships and cultural in-betweenness. Learn more at diananoh.com.
How does your feeling look? Collage Workshop with Diana Noh
Saturday, May 17 | 12 – 2 p.m. | Harold Washington Library Center, 8S-14 & 15
Recommended Reading
History/Herstory/Theirstory/OurStory: AANHPI for Kids 2025
History/Herstory/Theirstory/OurStory: AANHPI for Teens 2025
History/Herstory/Theirstory/OurStory: AANHPI 2025