Mortenson Center for International Library Programs

Sunday, September 13, 2026

• Global CU: Neighbors Connecting Through Cultures and Stories

  Time

  2:00 - 4:30 pm

  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!

  • Social/Informal Event

  

Thursday, September 24, 2026

• AsiaLENS/Mortenson Screening | "One Big Hapa Family" (Screening + Discussion) | Jeff Chiba Stearns

  Time

  5:45 - 8:30 pm

  Location

  School of Information Sciences, Rm 126; 501 E Daniel St,. Champaign

  "One Big Hapa Family" is Jeff Chiba Stearn's journey of self-discovery to find out why everyone in his Japanese-Canadian family married inter-racially after his grandparents' generation. The film will be followed by a discussion with the filmmaker and Jason Finkelman (School of Music), and a book signing.

  • Film Screening

  

Saturday, September 26, 2026

• 36th Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture - Jeff Chiba Stearns

  Time

  1:00 - 2:30 pm

  Location

  I Hotel & Conference Center, Alma Mater Room; 1900 S. First Street, Champaign, IL

  For more than two decades, Emmy-nominated and award-winning animation and documentary director, author, and illustrator Jeff Chiba Stearns has used visual storytelling to explore the intersections of Japanese Canadian history, mixed-race identity, family, and culture. Jeff will reflect on using animation, illustration, comics, and film to make history accessible.

  • Lecture