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ROSSLYN, Virginia–The Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) celebrated its 30th anniversary on June 27 at the China Garden here by honoring its past officers, presenting its incoming officers and awarding authors of books published last year.

            Dr. Frank Odo, who recently retired as Founding Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program, was the keynote speaker. He told the audience his book “is completed, thank goodness!” He said in an interview, “No title yet, but it will be about Japanese immigrants.”

            In his remarks touching on race and civil rights in this country, he noted, “Rich diversity contributes greatly to a healthier society.” He said when he started his research on Asian Americans in the county, “there was no one on this field.” How far the Asian Americans have come “reaffirms my faith that this is something good to do.”

Proceeds from the event “would go to the APALA Scholarship Fund,” according to APALA President Florante Peter Ibanez. Ibanez is the manager of Library Computer Services at William M. Rains Library Loyola Law School in Los Angeles , California .

Harrison W. Inefuku is the recipient of the 2010 APALA Scholarship. Currently, he is completing a dual degree in Archival Studies and Library and Information Studies at the University of British Columbia .

Immediate Past President Sherise Kimura introduced the past presidents and executive director. Ms. Kimura is Electronic Resources/Reference Librarian at Gleeson Library/Geschke Center at the University of San Francisco . Anniversary Celebration Committee Chair Ben Vasco recognized the members of the committee, thanking them for the good work.

APALA Vice President/President-Elect is Sandy Wee, Millbrae Library branch manager in San Mateo County Library in California . The other APALA officers are Angela Boyd, treasurer, and Liladhar R. Pendse, secretary. Board Members-at-Large are Eileen K. Bosch (2010-2012) and Cecilia Siu-Wah Poon (2009-2011). Executive Director (Ex-Officio) is Gerardo “Gary” A. Colmenar.

Cultural and entertainment numbers were presented by the Lao American Women Association (LAWA) and Subodh Sen of the Sangeet Bollywood band. Past President Ben Wakashige emceed the event

Literature awards

Literature Committee Chair Dora Ho presided over the presentation of the awards for literature. The awards “promote Asian Pacific American culture and heritage, based on literary and artistic merit.” The books were chosen from titles by or about Asian Pacific Americans published last year.

Jamie Ford was the Adult Fiction Winner for “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” published in New York by Ballantine Books. Honorable Mention for Adult Fiction went to Lisa See for “Shanghai Girls,” ( New York : Random House).

The Adult Non-Fiction Winner was Bonnie Tsui for “American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods. The book was published in New York by Free Press (Simon & Schuster).

Honorable Mention for Adult Non-Fiction went to Lane Ryo Hirabayashi for “Japanese American Resettlement: Through the Lens,” published in Boulder , Colorado by the University Press of Colorado.

Picture Book Winner: Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore, for “Cora Cooks Pancit,” illustrated by Kristi Valiant. The book was published in Walnut Creek , California by Shen’s Books. Honorable Mention for Picture Book: Malathi Michelle Iyengar for “Tan to Tamarind,” illustrated by Jamel Akib and published in San Francisco by Children’s Book Press.

Youth Literature Winner: Sung Woo for “Everything Asian,” published in New York by Thomas Dunne Books. Honorable Mention for Text in Youth Literature: Ching Yeung Russell for “Tofu Quilt,” published in New York by Lee & Low.

Founded in 1980, the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)   was incorporated in Illinois in 1981. It was formally affiliated with the American   Library Association (ALA) in 1982. APALA was founded by librarians of Asian Pacific ancestries. Its goal is to “address the needs of Asian Pacific American librarians and those who serve Asian Pacific American communities.”