Embark on a journey with us to better understand yourself and others. Take time this month to celebrate and learn about the histories, contributions, and current experiences of those around you.
The stories highlighted here act as windows into other cultures and mirrors of our own experiences. Source: By Rudine Sims Bishop, The Ohio State University. "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors" originally appeared in Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Vo. 6, no. 3. Summer 1990.
Featured Events for Arab American Heritage Month (April)
Color the Arabic Alphabet
Apr 1st - Apr 30th | All day
Learn about Arab American heritage by exploring the Arabic alphabet with coloring sheets.
Arab-American Heritage Month: Author Visit with Aya Khalil
Apr 19th | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Enjoy a reading of Ramadan for Everyone by Ohio children's author Aya Khalil. Crafts, book signing, and book sale to follow.
Featured Services for Arab American Heritage Month
Transparent Language & Culture Blogs
Led by teams of native speakers & educators, blogs provide a platform in which current events & cultural topics can be discussed.
English-Arabic Storytime (Videos)
Enjoy an English-Arabic Storytime as Sari Mira (resident storyteller at Arab American National Museum) reads various children's books.
Arabic Language Blog - Transparent Languages
Explore Language & Culture blogs and test your skills with written prompts to further expand your knowledge of Arabic and other languages!
Creating a New Market: Podcasting in the Middle East (Audio)
Adapted from the podcast Al Empire, Hebah Fisher talks about the founding of Kerning Cultures Network, a media company run by Arab women.
Transparent Language Online
Choose from over 100 world languages, including English language courses. Learn anywhere, anytime.
Mango Languages
Start a conversation. Or sixty. Choose from over 60 world languages including English language courses.
Featured Collections for Arab American Heritage Month
Arab American Heritage Month (Streaming Movies)
Celebrate the beauty of Arab heritage by viewing this curated collection of films from Kanopy PLUS.
Arab American Heritage Month in Film
For April we are highlighting some of our film collection that focuses around Arab American heritage and experiences.
Arab Heritage Month (Digital Collection)
Discover the depth of Arab heritage this month with a curated collection of stories, culture, and history.
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with these titles for kids.
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with these reads for teens!
Middle Eastern Cooking
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with these Middle Eastern recipes.
Arab American Heritage Month
In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, check out one of these titles for ages 18+.
Stories for Every Voice (Bingepass)
This collection amplifies underrepresented voices and explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Ages 4-11.
Arab American Heritage Month (Mixed Media)
This media physical collection focuses on Arab American heritage and experiences.
Arab Cuisine Cookbooks!
Arab food is a celebration of community, tradition, and the simple pleasures of sharing a meal. List by Arwa Almasaari (Arab America).
Arab American Book Awards
These awards are intended to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of the Arab American culture.
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
In honor of Arab American Heritage Month, check out one of these titles.
2026 Schedule of Celebrations
- February: Black History Month
- March: Women's History Month
- April: Arab American Heritage Month
- May: Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month & Jewish American Heritage Month
- June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- July: Disability Pride Month
- September: Hispanic Latino Heritage Month
- November: Native American Heritage Month
AAPI Women Audio Narrators on Joys & Challenges of the Job
Five women of Asian descent to talk about their aurally literary endeavors with School Library Journal. Interview by Terry Hong (2024).
Stories for Every Voice (Bingepass)
This collection amplifies underrepresented voices and explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Ages 4-11.
Origami Animals
May 1st - May 31st | All day
Make a paper creature to take home with you while learning about the Asian roots of origami to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage.
Anime Club
Various dates | 6:30-7:30pm
Love anime? Meet fellow fans to discuss your favorite series.
AAPI Women Audio Narrators on Joys & Challenges of the Job
Five women of Asian descent to talk about their aurally literary endeavors with School Library Journal. Interview by Terry Hong (2024).
Stories for Every Voice (Bingepass)
This collection amplifies underrepresented voices and explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Ages 4-11.
Origami Animals
May 1st - May 31st | All day
Make a paper creature to take home with you while learning about the Asian roots of origami to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Heritage.
Anime Club
Various dates | 6:30-7:30pm
Love anime? Meet fellow fans to discuss your favorite series.
About This Initiative
The Westerville Public Library’s intention with this initiative is to reflect our diverse community, encourage acceptance, promote respect, expand understanding, amplify a wide range of voices, and energize community conversations. Suggestions for future celebrations welcome.Â
Heritage in this context is intended to encompass the people, places, and things that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Diverse Voices
Browse titles with perspectives & experiences of people from different backgrounds. Curated by Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (online course)
Explore this belonging approach, and discover how to activate it in your organization.
CultureGrams
Discover cultures of the world. Go beyond the basic facts and figures with local perspectives on more than 200 countries
Unconscious Bias (online course)
Founder/CEO of Rework Work Stacey Gordon reveals the most common forms of unconscious bias and teaches skills to effectively address them.
Diverse Voices
Browse titles with perspectives & experiences of people from different backgrounds. Curated by Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (online course)
Explore this belonging approach, and discover how to activate it in your organization.
CultureGrams
Discover cultures of the world. Go beyond the basic facts and figures with local perspectives on more than 200 countries
Unconscious Bias (online course)
Founder/CEO of Rework Work Stacey Gordon reveals the most common forms of unconscious bias and teaches skills to effectively address them.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Mindy B.
Mindy will always bring a smile to your face, even when she's concentrating on finding hard-to-get-your-hands-on books and journal articles.
Thomas S.
Fun and friendly, Thomas is often out-and-about, bringing entertainment and energy to community events around Westerville.
Aneeza P.
Aneeza is curious about people, cultures, communities, and social and organizational structures.
Kristen C.
When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.
Mindy B.
Mindy will always bring a smile to your face, even when she's concentrating on finding hard-to-get-your-hands-on books and journal articles.
Thomas S.
Fun and friendly, Thomas is often out-and-about, bringing entertainment and energy to community events around Westerville.
Aneeza P.
Aneeza is curious about people, cultures, communities, and social and organizational structures.
