Celebrating Latin American Roots
Sonoma County Library is your home for cultura, community, and learning. Join us in celebrating Latin American roots during National Hispanic Heritage Month—and beyond! Explore our lineup of free events, then check out our recommended books!
History
National Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual commemoration from September 15 to October 15 that celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of people whose ancestors are from Latin America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded to cover a 30-day period in 1988.
Why September 15?
“September 15 ... is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.” - www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
Book Lists
Check out these recommended books from our librarians:
Spanish
English
Dial-a-Story
Call (707) 755-2050 to listen to children’s librarians reading storybooks in both English and Spanish. This month’s titles include books by Latine authors and feature Latine stories.
Library Events
Everyone is invited to attend free library events and workshops.
*Registration required for select events.
Jose-Luis Orozco Bilingual Music
Enjoy Spanish bilingual music that will have kids singing, dancing, and clapping along!
Join Patty Botello, the “Mother of Piñatas,” and make a mini pineapple piñata sculpture on
Saturday October 5 at 11:00 am!
Ages 5 & up.
Spanish Music & Movement (ages 0-6)
At 11 library locations. Go to the calendar to find a program near you.
Decorate a sugar skull in celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with Elsa Tapia.
Follow along with step-by-step instructions in Spanish and English to learn painting skills and practice new vocabulary.
Learn how to use colorful squash blossoms—flor de calabaza—to add delicate flavor to a traditional Mexican dish.
Author Talk with Eugene Rodriguez Featuring Music by Los Cenzontles
Celebrate the powerful influence of Mexico’s musical heritage at this special author talk and musical performance.
Enjoy a sophisticated and irresistibly danceable mix of Latin jazz, Bossa nova, and other Brazilian styles of music.
Screen Printing as a Tool for Activism*
A Raizes Workshop - Visual artist, and tireless advocate for the arts in Santa Rosa, Martin Zuñiga will teach you how to create your own print to take home.
Paint Party with Lucero Vargas
Paint your own masterpiece step-by-step with Indigenous artist Lucero Vargas!
Virtual Author Talk with Silvia Moreno-Garcia
On Wednesday, October 9 at 4:00 pm, immerse yourself in The Seventh Veil of Salome, a sumptuous historical epic about a young woman in 1950s Hollywood who wins the role of a lifetime.
In this workshop presented in Spanish, you can enjoy a healthy cooking demonstration featuring new takes on Latin American classics.
Virtual Author Talk with Javier Zamora
Solito: A Memoir recounts Zamora's harrowing journey at the age of nine from El Salvador to San Rafael, Marin County, and provides social commentary on broader issues of migration, displacement, and identity.
Saturday, November 9, 11:00 am – Spanish
Thursday, November 14, 1:00 pm – English
Explore More Events: sonomalibrary.org/events
History and Geneology Resources
Available in Calisphere Diseños: maps of Alta California that would accompany Spanish and Mexican land grant petitions.
“Maps, or diseños, that comprise the Land Case Maps collection originally formed part of the private land claims ajudicated by the U.S. District Courts of California (Northern and Southern Districts) and the U.S Circuit Court (9th Circuit) from ca. 1850 to 1860.”
H&G holds naturalization records for Sonoma County dating back to 1841. Copies are free.
