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:
- Browse: Curated title suggestions for all ages;
- Attend: Upcoming events;
- View: Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) ofrenda in the Idea Box;
- Watch: Multicultural learning and Spanish language videos; and
- Explore: Librarian-curated resources.
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
- For adults: Ebooks and digital audiobooks in Spanish on Media on Demand/Libby »
- For kids and teens: Ebooks and digital audiobooks in Spanish on Media on Demand/Libby »
- For all ages: Comic books on Hoopla »
Movies
Magazines
Newspapers
- Newspapers, news wires, websites, and blogs from leading publishers in Latin America on Global Newsstream »
- Newspapers in Spanish on PressReader »
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.
- Saturday, October 1, 3-4 pm, virtual: Register now »
- Tuesday, October 18, 6-7 pm, Main Library Small Meeting Room: Register now »
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 »
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
- Color Hunt: Amarillo
- Los Pollitos Dicen
- Lego y Amigos
- Itsy Bitsy Araña
- Uno Dos Tres Chocolate
- Red is Rojo
- Jugando y Contando
- Kathy y Munchy cantan Pin Pon
- Zoom Zoom Zoom
Online resources to explore
Get access to subscription-based resources that Google can’t offer, with your Oak Park card and PIN:
For kids
- MUZZY: Learn Spanish with fun and animated stories featuring Muzzy and friends.
- PebbleGo (preschool-grades 3) and PebbleGo Next (grades 3-5): Check out the Social Studies module to explore.
- World Book Student (elementary & middle schoolers): Explore a collection of articles, tables, and multimedia of the world, and find maps showing political, population, economic, and meteorological information in the World Resources section.
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.
