Past events are listed below in reverse chronological order with their recordings, if available.
Saturday, SEPTEMBER 26, 2026; 1:00-2:30pm. 36th Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture & Youth Literature Festival (YLF) Keynote – JEFF CHIBA STEARNS (Animation and Documentary Filmmaker, Author and Illustrator) will present on “Animation Meditation: 25 Years of Exploring Mixed-Race Identity and Japanese Canadian History Through Visual Storytelling“. Location: I Hotel & Conference Center, Alma Mater Room; 1900 S. First Street, Champaign, IL.
Drawing from his projects such as One Big Hapa Family, Mixed Match, On Being Yukiko, Tomey: The Unyielding Spirit of Tomekichi Homma, and his latest graphic novel, Ojiichan’s Dragon, Jeff will share how his own experiences and family stories have shaped the subjects, characters, and worlds he creates. As a social justice advocate and educator, Jeff will discuss the importance of reclaiming and preserving Japanese Canadian stories, including the history of the more than 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated during the Second World War, and why this history remains relevant today. Read more at https://www.library.illinois.edu/mortenson/distinguished-lecture/. RECORDING available.
Thursday, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026; 5:45-8:30pm. AsiaLENS/Mortenson Screening | “One Big Hapa Family” (Screening + Discussion) | Jeff Chiba Stearns. Location: School of Information Sciences, Rm 126; 501 E Daniel St,. Champaign. Post-Film discussion with Jeff Chiba Stearns and Jason Finkelman (School of Music) and Audience Q&A.
About the Film: After a realization at a family reunion, half Japanese-Canadian filmmaker, Jeff Chiba Stearns, embarks on a journey of self-discovery to find out why everyone in his Japanese-Canadian family married inter-racially after his grandparents’ generation. This feature live action and animated documentary explores why almost 100% of all Japanese-Canadians are marrying inter-racially, the highest out of any other ethnicity in Canada, and how their children perceive their unique multiracial identities. One Big Hapa Family challenges our perceptions of purity and makes us question if mixing is the end of multiculturalism as we know it
–imdb.
Sunday, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026; 2:00-4:30 pm. Global CU: Neighbors Connecting Through Cultures and Stories. Location: Urbana Free Library, 210 W Green St., Urbana, IL 61801.
Inspired by the Human Library®, have a conversation with international neighbors and celebrate the diverse origins of everyone in our community! Neighbors at this event will be sharing various aspects about their personal stories and heritage cultures. Adults and kids are welcome to learn about different countries’ culture, language, cuisine, and more! This FREE event is co-sponsored by the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs; Illinois International: Office of Global Relations; Urbana Free Library; and New American Welcome Center, University YMCA as part of Welcoming Week 2026. Learn more at https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/7331?eventId=33558943
Wednesday, AUGUST 26, 2026; 9:00-10:15am. Learning from a Library Luminary: Global Reach, Local Touch.
In collaboration with the Accra Technical University (ATU) Library and the Association of African Universities (AAU), the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is pleased to invite librarians, information professionals, researchers, students, academics and the general public to the 6th ATU Library Mentorship Series, featuring Barbara J. Ford, former President of the American Library Association (ALA), former Director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs (UIUC), and recipient of the ALA Honorary Lifetime Membership (2026). Read more at https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/7331?eventId=33558930. RECORDING available.