Let’s celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!
From September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history, cultures, and contributions of Americans with Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, Central, and South American ancestry.
What started as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 was extended to cover 30 days in 1989. U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres of California proposed a month-long observance to honor the achievements and culture of Hispanic communities in the United States. In September 1989, President George H.W. Bush declared September 15–October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15 to honor the anniversaries of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Meanwhile, Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate their Independence Day on September 16, September 18, and September 21.
We’re here to connect you with books and learning experiences celebrating Hispanic heritage throughout the year. You’re invited to join us at a program, explore books by Latin American and Hispanic authors, and delve into resources that highlight the achievements of Hispanic communities across the United States.
RECOMMENDED READS FOR KIDS!
EVENTS AT THE LIBRARY!
Family Concert: LiTTLE LUNAS
Best for ages 7 and younger with their families.
Saturday, September 20| 10 a.m.
As educators and teaching artists of over 20 years, the Cervantes sisters merge their love of music and education to bring you LiTTLE LUNAS! Get ready for a vibrant, bilingual performance that will have the whole family singing and dancing along.
No registration required.
Let’s Play Lotería
For families
Wednesday, September 24| 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy a few rounds of Lotería with your family and win prizes! Lotería is a century-old game often referred to as “Mexican bingo.” Fill your card first and you win!
Registration required.
Creation Station: Tortugas
Best for ages 3 and older with their families
Monday, October 13| 9:30-11 a.m. or 3-4 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 10-11 a.m.
Craft and create with us! We’ll provide an idea and supplies, then you create your own masterpiece. In this session, decorate adorable turtles made from wood. In South American cultures, turtles often represent the earth, wisdom, patience, longevity, and the creation of the world.
No registration required.
Lotería
For families
Friday, September 12| 4:45 p.m. or 6 p.m.
Play Loteria, a Mexican game like bingo, using colorful cards, alongside friends and family for a chance to win fun prizes!
Registration required.
Calavera Creations| Creaciones de Calaveras
Best for ages 4 and older with their families
Monday, September 29| 5:00 p.m.
Skulls made of sugar are traditionally used to decorate Day of the Dead altars, a tradition in many parts of Mexico. We’ll get creative and use paint, markers, sequins, beads, or feathers to decorate a ceramic calavera skull.
Registration required.
Lunes, 29 de septiembre | 5:00 p.m.
Ideal para niños de 4 años en adelante y sus familias.
Las calaveras de azúcar se usan tradicionalmente para decorar los altares del Día de Muertos, una tradición en muchas partes de México. Nos pondremos creativos y usaremos pintura, marcadores, lentejuelas, cuentas o plumas para decorar una calavera de cerámica.
DIY Ofrendas | Ofrendas DIY
Best for ages 5 and older
Wednesday, October 6| 5:00 p.m.
Ofrendas can also be created to remember pets or celebrities. During the program, you are welcome to bring your own photos or provide a digital file of a photo for us to print for you, to display in your ofrenda. Boxes for the ofrendas will be provided, along with mini LED candles and other craft materials to decorate with.
Registration required.
Lunes, 6 de octubre | 5:00 p.m.
Ideal para mayores de 5 años
También se pueden crear ofrendas para recordar a mascotas o celebridades. Durante el programa, puede traer sus propias fotos o proporcionarnos una foto digital para que la imprimamos y la exhibamos en su ofrenda. Se proporcionarán cajas para las ofrendas, junto con mini velas LED y otros materiales para decorar
Esli serves as the Youth Outreach Librarian for the Mount Prospect Library. Her role involves catering to the changing needs of the community through various means such as providing library resources, conducting outreach activities, Spanish interpretation and translations, and organizing programs like Homeschool Hangout, Bilingual Lotería, and Developmental Playgroup. Esli is committed to making library resources easily accessible to everyone in the community and strives to engage patrons and partners wherever they may be.
