Charlotte's Asian Herald Library has grown into a crucial cultural center, fostering community ties and offering a vast array of literature. Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun, a North Korean escapee and later a scholar from South Korea, brought his passion for reading and his vast collection of books to the heart of Charlotte. According to a recent article from the City of Charlotte, the library started in the Chun family's spare room and has since expanded to hold over 150,000 books, making it the largest private Asian library in the country.
While establishing roots in North Carolina, Chun made education a continual journey, acquiring degrees from Lenoir-Rhyne University, Appalachian State University, and LaSalle University. The library's impressive collection encompasses everything from graphic novels to encyclopedias, now even including English-language works about Asian culture. Growing up encouraged by his father to read at least 100 books annually, Chun's personal mission evolved, and driven by their shared vision, he and his wife Sunny worked tirelessly to build this literary haven. Having to skip many lunches, Chun and his family collected books from countless sources, as Dr. Chun told the City of Charlotte.
Sitting on Baxter Street, the two-story building acquired by the Chuns not only houses books but also serves as a multifaceted community space. It has hosted church services, dance classes, and business meetings, and even welcomed political figures and international guests. This includes President Barack Obama and delegates from Charlotte's sister city, Baoding, China. The generosity of the Chuns extends beyond books, as Dr. Chun also founded Charlotte Presbyterian Church and the Asian Herald newspaper, which, among other achievements, reaches a significant Asian-American population across the southeastern United States.
With the library now bursting with volumes sorted into neat rows, Sunny Chun shared with the City of Charlotte the fulfillment they feel in providing a welcoming space for the community. The library is more than a collection of books; it is a testament to the Chuns' dedication to education and cultural preservation. This passion project has established a legacy, with Chun stating, "I have spent 50 years collecting books and I want books to be how people remembered me by." From a room of 5,000 books to a structure housing 150,000, the Asian Herald Library stands as a beacon for the power of knowledge in Charlotte's diverse cultural landscape.
