Hmong Cultural Center launches Virtual Library

The Hmong Cultural Center in Saint Paul is developed a growing Virtual Library of links to full-text books, research articles and published reports related to Hmong Studies and Southeast Asian American Studies as the part of the website of its Hmong Resource Center Library. The Hmong Studies Virtual Library consists of links to more than 300 full-text journal articles, books, dissertations and theses and research reports available on the internet. Visit the Hmong Studies Virtual Library at www.hmonglibrary.org.

Mark E. Pfeifer, PhD, Librarian Emeritus at Hmong Cultural Center stated: “Today’s students and scholars often look online first for full-text research as they work on term papers and research projects. The Hmong Studies Virtual Library is a unique resource that provides more than 300 full-text research studies related to the Hmong in one place. The online Hmong Studies Journal publishes several peer-reviewed research articles each year and colleges and university systems including multiple schools in the California state system, as well as the University of Minnesota and University of Wisconsin-Stout are posting full-text theses/dissertations and other research materials online as part of digital depositories. This online library will play an important role in facilitating easy access in one place to full-text studies pertaining to the Hmong by students and researchers in the United States and beyond and will help the Hmong Resource Center Library continue its mission as a key research institution to community members, students and scholars.”

The Hmong Resource Center Library itself was founded in the late 1990s to provide a comprehensive collection of Hmong-related materials to the community. The growing collections include around 600 Hmong-related books, 275 Hmong-related theses and dissertations, 880 Hmong-related academic journal articles, over 3,500 Hmong-related newspaper articles and more than 200 videos. The library possesses the most significant collection of Hmong-related theses and dissertations and research journal articles of any institution in Minnesota or the United States. The Hmong Resource Center Library is open to the public Monday through Friday at the Hmong Cultural Center’s offices above the Sunrise Market building at University Avenue and Chatsworth (near Lexington) in Saint Paul.

Founded in 1992, Hmong Cultural Center’s mission is to promote the personal development of children, youth, and adults through Hmong cultural education while providing resources that enhance cross-cultural awareness and understanding between Hmong and non-Hmong persons. In early 2012, HCC earned “Meets Standards” Status from the Charities Review Council. Hmong Cultural Center is currently the only Hmong organization in Minnesota to have this status. www.hmongcc.org