A storytelling session organized by the Filipino American Library. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Lorenzo.

Los Angeles – The first and largest Filipino library in the US continues to share Filipino children’s books to families around Greater Los Angeles. Through its new Children’s Reading Program and with the co-sponsorship of the County of Los Angeles Public Library, the Filipino American Library (FAL) will have its next two events on Saturday, May 31 at Carson Regional Library (151 E. Carson St.) and Saturday, June 7 at Artesia Library (18722 S. Clarkdale Ave.).

They will both be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and are recommended for children ages 5 to 10. To RSVP for these free events, please contact filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net or 213-382-0488.
The FAL Children’s Reading Program promotes the value of diversity to children in Greater Los Angeles through the reading of Filipino children’s books. The May 31 event in Carson will feature the Filipino folktale “The Monkey and the Turtle” and the June 7 event in Artesia will highlight the theme “handing down through generations.” Admission is free and donations are accepted. Snacks and drinks will be provided. The program is coordinated by Celeste B. Diaz, the FAL Children’s Librarian, and funded by grants from Wal-Mart and Citigroup Foundation.

Founded on October 13, 1985, by “Auntie Helen” Agcaoili Summers Brown, FAL is the first and largest Filipino library in the country with a collection of more than 6,000 titles. Its mission is to actively promote the history, culture, and professional achievements of Filipinos and Filipino Americans through the book collection, leadership development, and cultural programming, thereby contributing to the achievement of a culturally dynamic, multiethnic America.

FAL primarily survives on individual donations and one major annual fundraiser. Donations are accepted at the FAL Website. For cheque donations, please make them payable to the “Filipino American Library” and send to 135 N. Park View St., Los Angeles, CA 90026. All donations are 100 percent tax-deductible.

FAL is a division of the Filipino American Heritage Institute (Nonprofit Tax ID Number 95-4282571). It is open Mondays to Fridays, 1 to 5 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, please contact Jonathan Lorenzo, the FAL Administrator, at 213-382-0488 or filamlibrary@sbcglobal.net.