During the month of May we observe Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. You may have already seen our AAPI (AANHPI) displays around the library of various books, movies, and music to celebrate this month, but if you are looking for a little bit more information and a few more title recommendations, please read below. A Brief History of the Month According to the official U.S. government website dedicated to this observed month, “Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May to celebrate the contributions that generations of AAPIs have made to American history, society, and culture. The following information has been curated by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) to educate the public about AAPIs and celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month…FAPAC is proud to select the theme for the observance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2023 is Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity. This year’s theme is the start of the new theme series for 2021-2024 highlighting FAPAC’s efforts in ‘Advancing Leaders’.” Looking to learn more through a good book? Adult Reading Suggestions FICTION NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY Teen Reading Suggestions FICTION NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY Kids Reading Suggestions FICTION NON-FICTION/BIOGRAPHY

This year, IPL is participating in the Massachusetts Center of the Book’s 2024 Reading Challenge! How does the challenge work? Each month you’ll choose a book that fits that month’s challenge! The challenges are listed below. After you’ve read your book enter it into the reading challenge form. What can you win? Dedicated readers will be invited to a year-end celebration hosted by Mass Center for the Book. If you read a book in each of the 12 months, you will be entered in a drawing to win 1 of 2 totes filled with books. The Mass Center for the Book will be drawing two names on the last day of each month to win a free book! To learn more and get reading suggestions, head to the Mass Center for the Book’s 2024 Reading Challenge webpage. We would love to hear about what you are reading! Each month we will post at the beginning and the end of the month about that month’s challenge. We encourage you to comment what book you read for the challenge!

The Ipswich Public Library is so excited to welcome Hoopla to our resources! All you need to access it is your library card number and pin! With Hoopla you get access to: You’ll never have to wait for an item, everything is always available! You get 5 checkouts at the start of each month. That’s 5 books, or music albums, or TV episodes each month! If that’s not enough, Hoopla offers BingePasses which get you access to many things for 1 checkout. You can watch as many Hallmark movies as you’d like in 1 week for 1 checkout! Or you could read unlimited magazines for 1 week for 1 checkout! The possibilities are endless! Hoopla has something for everyone, kids and teens included! To make your account click the link below and click “Get Started”. From here you will choose Ipswich as your library and then enter your 14 digit library card and your pin number! (If you haven’t used your pin before it is most likely the last 4 digits of your phone number). If you have any problems getting set up, give us a call at 978-356-6648 and we can help! We hope you love Hoopla as much as we do! Get started today! https://www.hoopladigital.com