The St. Paul Public Library system has rolled out a special edition library card recognizing the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian resettlement in St. Paul. The free card, designed by Twin Cities artist Kao Lee Thao, features a colorful brushstroke image of a young Hmong woman in traditional dress reading a book while villagers around her walk through a lush forest.
The artwork draws inspiration from “traditional textiles, patterns and landscapes woven together as a symbol of resilience and connection,” according to a written statement from the library system. “Flowing water ties the design together, representing the journey from the Mekong to the Mississippi — symbolizing survival, transformation and imagination.”
The card, currently available to city residents while supplies last at all St. Paul Public Library locations, is intended to honor “the vibrant Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, and Vietnamese communities that have built new roots in St. Paul.”
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The library is using the new special edition card to highlight its upcoming 50th anniversary “Stories of Abundance” storytelling event, which will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Sun Ray Library, 2105 Wilson Ave. The event is being hosted with the SEAD Project, a Minneapolis-based community organization that raises awareness of the Southeast Asian diaspora.
More information about the card is online at sppl.org/special-edition.
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