Pohnpei Public Library representing Pohnpei in the first ever Pacific Delegation at the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) conference in California!

The ATALM is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to supporting those who work to preserve and promote Indigenous cultures. From November 12-16 we had the honor of joining the first ever Pacific Delegation consisting of 23 individuals from Palau, Guam, Marshall Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei & Chuuk) to participate in their annual conference. 

Setting off from the garden island Emyleen P. Albert (FPPL's Assistant Librarian) ventured into the sunny side of Palm Springs California hand carrying a glossy and newly hand crafted wooden turtle (FPPL mascot) made specially for ATALM. 

Turtles are symbols of patience, resilience, and steady progress—traits that are also reflected in the power of a library. Just as turtles carry their homes on their backs, libraries carry the vast knowledge of the world within their walls, offering a safe space for growth and exploration. Like turtles, who move at their own pace but always forward, a library provides a steady, unwavering resource for learning, allowing individuals to navigate life’s challenges and discover new possibilities, one book at a time.

She was also carrying the heart of the Garden Island, short stories and explanations about the handful of special assorted cultural items--enticing the crowd with a spec of beauty from our region of the Pacific. Mrs. Emyleen also took part in an array of conferences that all geared towards the theme of the gathering which was “Sovereign Futures: Weaving Tradition and Innovation."

We would like to thank the sponsor, one of our greatest contributors, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for making it possible for Pohnpei to take part in this amazing movement towards showcasing and preserving our cultural identity. This momentous achievement will be echoed to our sister states to help encourage their participation in future events. A special thank you is also extended to the crafters of the materials we brought and the support of our fellow islanders. We could not have been able to accomplish this without the support and encouragement of our Head Librarian to do more, be more and to step forward with pride representing our beautiful Pohnpei. Kalahngan lap!