Cultural Committees

The San Mateo Public Library has four cultural committees comprised of community volunteers who serve to advise the library on ways to share the history and traditions of their respective cultures. Each cultural advisory committee has a library liaison on staff who help to coordinate and market events.  Most cultural programs are funded through donations from the San Mateo Public Library Foundation. Interested in volunteering on a cultural committees?  Learn more

African American Library Advisory Committee

The African American Library Advisory Committee has hosted programs and raised money for San Mateo libraries for more than two decades.  The group seeks to bring culturally enriching programs and activities to residents of San Mateo County, especially the African American community. Past partnering organizations have included the Bay Area Health Advisory Council, Facing History and Ourselves, the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center, and the Ethnic Studies Department at the College of San Mateo.

Recurring events planned by the committee include: 

  • Black History Month
  • Juneteenth Film Festival
  • Youth Music Recital with Bay Area Chapter of CHUMS, Inc,
  • Local author programs
  1. 1 Are You Ready to Learn
  2. 2 Domingo and Friends
  3. 3 Renne Band Aisha

Asian American Library Advisory Committee 

The Asian American Library Advisory Committee is dedicated to developing programs that highlight and celebrate the contributions, achievements, and rich cultural heritage of Asian Pacific Americans. In May, they mark Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a wide range of events, including:

  •  Author talks
  • Docent presentations
  • Music performances
  • Performing arts showcases
  • Movie screenings
  • Craft demonstrations
  1. 1 San Mateo Buddhist Temple Taiko
  2. 2 Shigin
  3. 3 Authors Day

Iranian American Library Advisory Committee

The Iranian American Library Advisory Cultural Committee was established in 2003. Their mission is to promote diversity and enhance understanding of Iranian culture through the library’s programming. These programs offer a variety of cultural activities in both Farsi and English.  They partner with Boostan Kids, a Persian Language immersion program. 

Recurring events planned by the committee include: 

  • Yalda
  • Nowruz
  • Parenting classes for Iranian American families
  • Poet, artist, and writer programs
  • Other library-wide programming
  1. 1 Nowruz dancing
  2. 2 Iranian American Library Advisory Committee
  3. 3 Nowruz for Kids

Latino Library Advisory Committee

The Latino Library Advisory Committee started in 2005 to promote Latino cultural events for the library.. They continue holding events for the community to highlight Latino culture.  Every December the committee celebrates Las Posadas at the Main Library.

  1. 1 Las Posadas 2023
  2. 2 Las Posadas
  3. 3 Las Posadas