Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Browse books, attend events & more

Your public library is here to connect you with books, events, learning experiences, and online resources that celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can:

This commemorative month (held September 15-October 15) was officially designated as Hispanic Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress in 1968. Learn more at hispanicheritagemonth.gov »

Browse titles we suggest



More from your digital library

Ebooks & digital audiobooks

Movies

Magazines

Newspapers

Attend upcoming events

Hispanic Heritage Month Festival: Convivencia

Saturday, September 17, 12-4 pm, Taylor Park, 400 Division St., Oak Park. Celebrate and learn about Latinx culture at this free event for the whole family! Enjoy Latin American foods, live music in Spanish, cultural dance, face painting, loteria, a resource fair, and more. Register now »

Encanto Sing-Along Movie Screening

Monday, September 26, 1-3 pm, Main Library Veterans Room. We don't talk about Bruno... but we do sing about him. Welcome to the Family Madrigal! Register now »

Spanish Conversation Hour/Conversación en español

Join us monthly for a casual hour of open conversation with other Spanish speakers. Whether you speak enough to hold a basic conversation or can rattle off long stories, all levels are welcome. No class, no formal lesson—just practice for current Spanish speakers.

Latinx Author Book Cafe: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina

Tuesday, October 11, 6-7 pm, Main Library Small Meeting Room. Join us the second Tuesday of each month, as we discuss works written by Latinx authors. This month we will discuss The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Córdova. When Orquídea Divina invites her family to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, they are left with more questions than answers. Determined to uncover the truth, the four descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked back. Register now »

Noche de Lotería/Lotería Night

Tuesday, October 25, 6-7 pm, Tacos '76, 838 Madison St., Oak Park. Enjoy a few rounds of Lotería with your family and friends and win prizes! Throughout the night we will partake in Spanish and some English. What is Lotería? Lotería is a century-old game often referred to as “Mexican Bingo.” Fill your card and you win! For all ages. Register now »

Día de Muertos Marigold Craft

Friday, October 28, 1:30-2:30 pm, Main Library Storytime Room. Drop in to make some beautiful tissue paper marigolds to celebrate Día de Muertos! Whether or not you're decorating an ofrenda this year, it's lovely to take time to think about those you love. For grades K-5. Drop-in spaces may be available; registration requested »

Ofrenda inside the Main Library Idea Box

Idea Box: Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) ofrenda

Starting October 1, you are invited to share images of loved ones who have passed away to be included in this year’s Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) ofrenda in the Main Library Idea Box.

Día de Muertos, an important celebration that originated in Mexico, is rooted in indigenous practices existing long before Spanish settlers arrived. Typically celebrated on November 1 and 2, ofrendas (altars and offerings) are built to honor, celebrate, and remember the dearly departed.

The Main Library Idea Box exhibit will run October 3 through November 4.

Watch Multicultural learning & Spanish language videos

Explore items & cultures with Miss Juanta & friends

Peruvian Independence Day Display

From inside the Main Library Idea Box, Eliana Gamarra, archaeologist and community member, shares in Spanish the story of "Fiestas Patria." Celebrated on July 28, this national holiday marks the liberation of Peru from Spain.

Aztec Calendar: Mexico

Miss Juanta has a beautiful Aztec calendar to show you, and her friend Melissa Fuentes will share its importance in the Mexican culture. What kind of calendar does your family use?

Calaveras: Mexico

Do you know what a calavera is? Miss Juanta has several to show you from the Multicultural Collection, and Miss Nora visits to explain what they are and how they are used in her Mexican culture.

Watch Early Bird Learning videos in Spanish

Online resources to explore

Get access to subscription-based resources that Google can’t offer, with your Oak Park card and PIN:

For kids

For adults & teens

  • Gale in Context: Biography: Explore authoritative biographical entries covering international figures from all time periods and areas of study, including a collection of biographies on notable Hispanic Americans. To start your search, choose Browse People and from the Topics dropdown, select Hispanic Americans.
  • Mango Languages: Reach conversational proficiency in Spanish.
  • Novelist Plus: Find book reviews, annotations, read-alikes, discussion guides, and book lists for fiction and nonfiction readers. Use the Advanced Search option to find titles by Hispanic American authors by selecting Hispanic American under Authors Cultural Identity.

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