Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month @ your library

CHICAGO — Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15, commemorating Independence Day for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. During the month, Mexico and Chile also celebrate independence on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively.

This year, libraries will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, and the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Here are just a few examples of what libraries are doing to celebrate these stories.

The Lee County (Fla.) Library System closely ties in its National Hispanic Heritage Month celebration by helping provide immigrants with the tools they need to become United States citizens. Over the month-long celebration and beyond, the library will host information sessions with representatives from the U.S. Office of Citizenship and Immigration, during which participants can consult with representatives and ask questions about the naturalization process. In addition to the information sessions, the library will host a variety of programs for children, teens and adults.

The State Library of North Carolina has developed a new website to recognize the contributions that Hispanics have made and continue to make throughout the state. Since the early 1990s, the state's Hispanic population has grown considerably, with North Carolina now having the fifth largest Hispanic population in the United States. The website provides a comprehensives list of resources in such areas as history, art, state collections and school lesson plans that focus on educating people about Hispanic heritage in North Carolina.

The San Antonio Public Library Foundation and the San Antonio Public Library will host Cantinflas Retro: A Mario Moreno Retrospective. The retrospective is a collection of photos and movie posters from the life and career of Mario Moreno, known around the world as “Cantinflas,” the iconic character that became associated with the national identity of Mexico in film. In addition to the photo and poster exhibit, the library will host Cantinflas movie screenings throughout the month and a lecture on the life and career of Mario Moreno, led by an expert from the Mario Moreno Foundation in Mexico City.

Looking to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month @ your library? Visit the @ your library logos page to download the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ @ your library logo in Spanish, English and 30 other languages.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries is ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations.