The St. Paul Public Library system has introduced a special edition library card to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian resettlement in St. Paul. This initiative aims to honor the contributions of the Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, and Vietnamese communities that have established roots in the area since the 1970s.
Designed by Twin Cities artist Kao Lee Thao, the card features a vibrant brushstroke image depicting a young Hmong woman in traditional dress engrossed in a book, surrounded by villagers navigating a lush forest. The artwork draws from “traditional textiles, patterns and landscapes woven together as a symbol of resilience and connection,” as stated by the library system.
Flowing water is a central theme in the design, representing the journey from the Mekong River to the Mississippi River. This imagery symbolizes survival, transformation, and imagination for those who have migrated to the United States.
Availability and Community Impact
The special edition library card is available free of charge to city residents at all St. Paul Public Library locations while supplies last. The initiative not only celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Southeast Asian communities but also promotes literacy and access to library resources.
The library is leveraging the release of this card to highlight its upcoming event, “Stories of Abundance,” which will take place on December 13, 2023, from 14:00 to 16:00 at the Sun Ray Library, located at 2105 Wilson Avenue. This storytelling event is hosted in collaboration with the SEAD Project, a Minneapolis-based community organization dedicated to raising awareness about the Southeast Asian diaspora.
More information about the special edition library card can be found online at sppl.org/special-edition. The initiative reflects the library’s commitment to inclusivity and the celebration of diverse narratives within the St. Paul community.
