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Hispanic Heritage Month

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Esli Avalos.
Contributed by Esli

Let’s celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!


A parade of people in colorful outfits and sombreros dance to celebratory music. Illustration.

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 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, check out books by Latin American and Hispanic authors, and delve into resources that explore the achievements of Hispanic communities across the United States.


RECOMMENDED READS FOR KIDS!


EVENTS AT THE LIBRARY!

Main Library Events.
Tierra Colombiana.

Super Saturday: Tierra Colombiana

Saturday, September 23| 10 a.m.

Travel to the shores of South America with this high-energy performance from the Tierra Colombiana Dance Ensemble showcasing music and dance from Colombia. Celebrating Columbian culture and tradition with its vibrant costumes and traditional dances, Tierra Colombiana has promoted cultural understanding and appreciation for more than three decades. 


Mini piñatas.

Studio 60056: Mini Piñatas

Monday, September 25| 10 a.m. Friday, September 29| 2:30 p.m.

Craft and create with us! We’ll provide an idea and supplies — you create your own masterpiece. Please note there may be small pieces and adult guidance is encouraged.


Sugar skull decorating.

Sugar Skull Decorating

Tuesday, October 10| 6:00-7:00 p.m. (Register here)

Celebrate Día de Muertos and decorate your own sugar skull! Skulls made out of sugar are traditionally used to decorate Day of the Dead altars, a tradition in many parts of Mexico.



Let's explore the Andes!

Super Saturday: Let’s Explore the Andes!

Saturday, October 14| 11 a.m.

Get a glimpse into the South American Andean life and culture through a beautiful mixture of music, storytelling, and photographs. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mount Prospect Public Library. 


Día de Muertos

Explore and Discover Together:  Día de Muertos

Thursday, October 26| 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Get a glimpse into the South American Andean life and culture through a beautiful mixture of music, storytelling, and photographs. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Mount Prospect Public LibraryCelebrate Día de Muertos and build your own shoebox-size ofrenda, an altar made to honor the life of a passed loved one. Ofrendas can also be created to remember pets or celebrities. During the program, you may provide a digital file of a photo for us to print for you to display in your ofrenda. We will also learn basic circuit skills by using copper tape, batteries, and LED bulbs. 

Explora y Descubre Juntos: Día de Muertos

Jueves, Octubre 26| 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Celebre el Día de Muertos y construya su propia ofrenda del tamaño de una caja de zapatos, un altar hecho para honrar la vida de un ser querido fallecido. También se pueden crear ofrendas para recordar mascotas o celebridades. Durante el programa, usted puede proporcionarnos un archivo digital de una fotografía para que la imprimamos y la muestre en su ofrenda. También aprenderemos habilidades básicas de circuitos mediante el uso de cinta de cobre, baterías y bombillas LED. 


South Branch Events.
Hispanic Heritage Crafts.

Hispanic Heritage Crafts

Saturday, September 16| 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Ready, set, MAKE! Stop by each craft station to create something inspired by Latin American crafts and culture. Please note there may be small pieces and adult guidance is encouraged. 

Manualidades de la herencia hispana

Sábado 16 de septiembre| 12:00-2:00 p.m.

En sus marcas, listos, ¡HAZLO! Pase por cada estación de artesanía para crear algo inspirado en la cultura y la artesanía latinoamericana. Tenga en cuenta que puede haber piezas pequeñas y se recomienda la ayuda de un adulto.


Family lotería.

Family Lotería

Wednesday, September 20| 5:00 p.m.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Lotería! Participants can play alongside family and try to win some prizes.

Lotería Para la Familia

Miércoles, 20 de septiembre| 5:00 p.m.

¡Celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con Lotería! Los participantes pueden jugar junto a su familia e intentar ganar algunos premios.


Sugar skull decorating.

Sugar Skull Decorating

Wednesday, October 11| 5:00-6:00 p.m. (Register here)

Celebrate Día de Muertos and decorate your own sugar skull! Skulls made out of sugar are traditionally used to decorate Day of the Dead altars, a tradition in many parts of Mexico.

Decorando calaveritas de azúcar

Miércoles, 11 de octubre| 5:00-6:00 p.m.

¡Celebre el Día de Muertos y decore su propia calaverita de azúcar! Las calaveras hechas de azúcar se usan tradicionalmente para decorar altares de Día de Muertos, una tradición en muchas partes de México. 


Día de Muertos

Explore and Discover Together:  Día de Muertos

Saturday, October 21| 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Celebrate Día de Muertos and build your own shoebox-size ofrenda, an altar made to honor the life of a passed loved one. Ofrendas can also be created to remember pets or celebrities. During the program, you may provide a digital file of a photo for us to print for you to display in your ofrenda. We will also learn basic circuit skills by using copper tape, batteries, and LED bulbs. 

Explora y Descubre Juntos: Día de Muertos

Sábado, 21 de octubre| 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Celebre el Día de Muertos y construya su propia ofrenda del tamaño de una caja de zapatos, un altar hecho para honrar la vida de un ser querido fallecido. También se pueden crear ofrendas para recordar mascotas o celebridades. Durante el programa, usted puede proporcionarnos un archivo digital de una fotografía para que la imprimamos y la muestre en su ofrenda. También aprenderemos habilidades básicas de circuitos mediante el uso de cinta de cobre, baterías y bombillas LED. 


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. 

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