Pepperdine Libraries Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Curated Book Display and Lecture

To commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pepperdine Libraries is hosting a lecture on Thursday, May 19, 2022, from noon to 1 PM, on the Chinese garden at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Phillip Bloom, June and Simon K.C. Li curator of the Chinese garden and director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies, will lead the lecture and discuss the garden’s new features and insights into Chinese garden history. 

Known as Liu Fang Yuan—"the Garden of Flowing Fragrance"—it is considered one of the best examples of a classical-style Chinese garden outside of China. In 2020, The Huntington celebrated the opening of several new features, including elaborate pavilions, winding corridors, and an elegant courtyard displaying penjing trees. Registration is required to attend. 

In addition to the lecture, Pepperdine Libraries also curated a topical and thematic book display for students, faculty, staff, and guests to peruse relevant topics and find helpful resources. The display is available online and in person in Payson Library, and it aims to celebrate rich cultures and histories and acknowledge the important cultural contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This display features a dozen titles, including New York Times Bestseller Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner, and titles span genres, including memoirs, cultural and historical studies, and fiction.

To learn more about the display or to peruse the virtual bookshelf, visit the Pepperdine Libraries website.