From Kimchi to Community: Cultural Connection at PLA 2026
The 2026 PLA Conference in Minneapolis from April 1 to 3 was a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with passionate information professionals from across the country. I gained many helpful insights not only from the conference sessions but also from the amazing librarians I met throughout the event. Their dedication to serving communities and promoting access to information was truly inspiring.
One session that especially stood out to me was held on Thursday, April 2, by Maria McCauley, Ann Ban, and Michael Lambert. The session was titled From Kimchi to Korean Books: A Discussion on Culture & Community.
I was deeply impressed by this session because I could feel the presenters’ sincere efforts to preserve and share their cultural heritage within their communities. All of the presenters were adoptees, immigrants, or descendants of immigrants from South Korea who now work in public libraries in Cambridge, San Diego, and San Francisco. During the session, they shared their backgrounds and described the ways they promote Korean culture through library programs, lectures, and archival initiatives.
While contemporary Korean culture such as K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty has become globally popular, the presenters also emphasized deeper aspects of Korean culture, including history, traditional artifacts, legacies, and food. I appreciated this balanced approach. It is not always easy for minority communities to sustain and pass on their culture across generations, so their work felt especially meaningful.
As an international student from South Korea currently studying in the United States, I strongly resonated with their stories. It was moving to hear how patrons enthusiastically participated in programs such as Hanbok Day, where people could experience traditional Korean clothing; Kimchi Day, where participants learned to make Korea’s famous fermented dish; and celebrations recognizing Han Kang receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2024. The librarians seemed genuinely proud to nurture their communities while honoring their heritage.
Additionally, I was impressed when one of the presenters mentioned that his library aims to continue strengthening not only Korean cultural programming but also programming related to other global cultures, including East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander, and Latin American communities. This perspective deeply resonated with me because it reflects a broad sense of global citizenship.
These efforts remind us that libraries can be places where cultures are celebrated, shared, and respected. In today’s world, building understanding across communities is more important than ever. As someone studying library and information science in Hawaiʻi, this message felt especially meaningful on this ʻāina, where many cultures live together and continue learning from one another.
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