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 Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
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.
K-Pop Demon Hunters: Dance Class (Ages 5-11)
Various dates & times
Learn simple K-pop dance routines featuring your favorite tunes from the film phenomenon, K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Featured Events for Jewish American Heritage Month (May)
Color the Hebrew Alphabet
May 1st - May 31st | All day
Learn about Jewish heritage by exploring the Hebrew alphabet with coloring sheets.
Featured Services for Asian Pacific Islander 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).
Transparent Language & Culture Blogs
Led by teams of native speakers & educators, blogs provide a platform in which current events & cultural topics can be discussed.
AAPI Short Stories (eBooks)
Learn more about how API Americans contribute to the United States' cultural mosaic through fantastic tales and personal stories.
Author interview with George Takei (PBS)
Veteran "Star Trek" actor George Takei revisits his time in WWII internment camps as a child in his memoir "They Called Us Enemy".
Interview with author Gene Luen Yang (PBS Books)
Gene Luen Yang, Library of Congress National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, talks “Paths & Portals” and “American Born Chinese”.
Katherine Wai: So You Think You Know Westerville?
How do imperialism, the opium trade, steamship travel, immigration law, and the horrors of war relate to Westerville?
Featured Services for Jewish American Heritage Month
"JewCE: The Jewish Comics Experience" Documentary Roundtable
Creators discuss the new doc which uncovers the real-life origin of comic books created by Jewish Americans from WWII to the present.
Mango Languages
Start a conversation. Or sixty. Choose from over 60 world languages including English language courses.
Featured Collections for Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
AAPI Heritage Month (Audiobooks & Music)
For May we are focusing on some of our collection that relates to Asian American & Pacific Islander heritage, history & experiences.
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Films
This May, we are highlighting some of our collection that focuses around Asian American & Pacific Islander heritage, history & experiences.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (for Teens)
Immerse yourself in this collection of books for teens in celebration of AANHPI heritage.
Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (Kids)
Enjoy these titles for kids to celebrate AANHPI heritage this May (and all year long!)
Asian Cooking
Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with these cookbooks.
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (for Adults)
In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, check out one of these titles.
AANHPI Heritage Month (Digital Collection)
Embrace rich cultures, diverse histories & remarkable contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders with Hoopla.
Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Streaming Movies)
Celebrate the voices, traditions, and journeys that define Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
Asian Pacific American Literature Award for Kids
This award recognizes individual works by Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pasifika authors that highlight AANHPI experiences.
Stories for Every Voice (Bingepass)
This collection amplifies underrepresented voices and explores themes of identity, culture, resilience, and belonging. Ages 4-11.
Watch Anime on Kanopy (Streaming Movies)
These films transport audiences to fantasy worlds and introduce unforgettable characters through stunning visuals and rich storytelling.
K-Pop Primer for Noobs
Welcome! Want to start listening to Korean Pop (K-pop) but don't know where to start? Start here. Want more? Search "Popular music — Korea".
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with These Books for Kids!
Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May with these books for kids.
Celebrate AAPI Heritage With These Books for Teens!
Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Films)
This May we highlight our media that focuses around Asian American & Pacific Islander heritage, history and experiences.
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Audio)
This May we highlight our media that focuses on Asian American & Pacific Islander heritage, history and experiences.
Featured Collections for Jewish American Heritage Month
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month (for Teens)
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with these reads for teens!
Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month (for Kids)
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with this collection of titles for kids.
Jewish Cooking
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month by checking out a cookbook & trying one of the recipes inside.
Jewish American Heritage Month (for Adults)
Check out one of these titles in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month.
Jewish American Heritage (Digital Collection)
Discover powerful stories through books and movies on Hoopla with this collection that showcases Jewish history, culture, and experiences.
Jewish Heritage Month (Streaming Movies)
From documentaries to narratives, these titles offer engaging ways to learn, reflect, and celebrate Jewish heritage.
National Jewish Book Awards for Children and Teens
The Awards are intended to recognize authors, and encourage reading, of outstanding English-language books of Jewish interest.
Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month is celebrated May 1-15. Borrow one of these books for kids, curated by librarian Jennifer.
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
Family Crafts: Celebrate You!
Jun 30th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Create tissue-paper suncatchers and friendship bracelets to celebrate Pride Month. All supplies provided. While supplies last.
Expressive Collage (Ages 12-18)
Jun 17th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Create a collage that represents you to celebrate Pride Month. Design a self-portrait or create something unique to you.
Pride Month (Streaming Movies)
Pride Month is a time to honor authenticity and uplift diverse voices. Discover a powerful lineup of LGBTQ+ cinema on Kanopy.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
From inspiring memoirs to captivating fiction, find LGBTQ+ Pride Month media that celebrates and amplifies LGBTQ+ love and identity.
Family Crafts: Celebrate You!
Jun 30th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Create tissue-paper suncatchers and friendship bracelets to celebrate Pride Month. All supplies provided. While supplies last.
Expressive Collage (Ages 12-18)
Jun 17th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Create a collage that represents you to celebrate Pride Month. Design a self-portrait or create something unique to you.
Pride Month (Streaming Movies)
Pride Month is a time to honor authenticity and uplift diverse voices. Discover a powerful lineup of LGBTQ+ cinema on Kanopy.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
From inspiring memoirs to captivating fiction, find LGBTQ+ Pride Month media that celebrates and amplifies LGBTQ+ love and identity.
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.
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.
