CAMBRIDGE, MA — On Thursday, May 7th, the Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) Library Department and the Chinese American Association of Cambridge (CAAC) hosted a mini-ceremony at the Baldwin School to celebrate a major milestone: the successful conclusion of the 5th Annual AAPI Book Drive.
The event, held in the sunlit library on the school’s fourth floor, served as a heartfelt “thank you” to the sponsors and partners who have helped expand the representation of Asian American and Pacific Islander stories within the Cambridge public school system.
A Collaborative Milestone
The ceremony was hosted by Sarah (Director of Library Media Services) and Karin (Baldwin School Librarian). Their partnership has been instrumental in ensuring these curated titles reach the school libraries across the district (this year 5 schools, Amigos, Baldwin, Putnam Ave Upper School, Cambridge Street Upper School, Darby Vassal Upper School).
During the event, Karin unveiled a vibrant AAPI book display featuring the newest additions to the library’s permanent collection. These titles were purchased through generous donations collected over the past five years of fundraising, significantly diversifying the literary landscape for local students.
Leaving a Lasting Mark
As part of this year’s contribution, CAAC officially delivered over 260 book plates to the library department. These plates will be placed inside the new books, serving as a permanent reminder of the community’s collective effort to support inclusive education.
A commemorative photoshoot was held to document the growing collection and the dedicated sponsors who made it possible.
Looking Forward: The 6th Annual Drive
While the ceremony honored half a decade of success, it also served as a springboard for the future. CAAC is thrilled to announce that this event officially marked the kickoff of our 6th AAPI Book Drive fundraising efforts.
“Building a diverse library is not a one-time task, but a continuous commitment. As we celebrate the books on the shelves today, we are already looking toward the new voices we can bring to our schools next year.” – CAAC
Get Involved
Ready to help us reach our next goal? You can support the 6th Annual AAPI Book Drive by visiting donation page to donate.