The Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature (APAAAL) are a group of literary awards given each year by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA). APALA was created in 1980 to help Asian/Pacific American librarians and those who work with Asian/Pacific American communities. Before APALA, there was a group called the Asian American Librarians Caucus (AALC), which was part of the American Library Association (ALA). AALC focused on improving library services for minority groups and supporting librarians from minority backgrounds. APALA officially registered in 1981 in Illinois and joined the ALA in 1982.

The awards recognize books that share stories and experiences from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander cultures. Categories include adult fiction and nonfiction, picture books, and books for children and young adults. Authors and artists do not need to be of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage, but the books must be written in English, published in the United States, and focus on Asian/Pacific American history and culture. The writers must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.