Throughout September, Bellingham Public Library will celebrate Hispanic and Latino heritage with book displays, reading lists, and staff recommendations, as well as opportunities to hear personal stories. Please join us in recognizing the contributions and influence of people with Latin American heritage to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Enacted into federal law in 1988 under President Reagan, National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from September 15 to October 15 in the United States to honor the “histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The day of September 15 is significant because it 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 September18, respectively.” Many other countries of the region celebrate independence in other months of the year.
The National Museum of the American Latino states: “Today, the Latino population in the United States today is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population… Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.”
Listen to Local Stories of Hispanic Heritage
Somos Comunidad is a collection of personal digital stories facilitated by Monica Koller of Connecting Community and funded by the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library in the fall of 2024 to center local Latino / Latine perspectives. Bellingham Public Library maintains a viewable archive of these stories for our community members.
Our gratitude to the seven storytellers who gathered to connect and heal through voicing lived experiences. By deeply listening to stories, we better understand lived experiences, can empathize with others, and become inspired to create personal and community change.
Hispanic Heritage Adult Fiction and Nonfiction Booklists
Hispanic Heritage Recommendations for Teens
Library Staff Recommend
“A tailor made fit for those who love macabre tales, Brujx traditions, and LGBTQIA2S+ representation!”
– Lark, Public Services Clerk
Hispanic Heritage Recommendations for Kids
Library staff recommend:
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia
“The perfect blend of creepy folklore, awesome characters, complex storytelling, adventure, and humor! I now can’t stop reading Tehlor’s books!” Recommended for ages 8 and up.
– Lark, Public Services Clerk
Hispanic Heritage Month Films
In recognition of #HispanicHeritageMonth, Kanopy offers a collection of narrative and documentary films honoring the Hispanic community. To view these titles with your library card, go to Kanopy and search Hispanic Heritage Month then stream for free.
Library staff recommend:
“Mexican filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro creates darkly beautiful and imaginative movies that I simply love. Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Crimson Peak all have a place on my ‘top films of all time’ list. The stories he tells are not for the faint of heart, but are FULL of heart and imbued with magic and folklore.
As September turns to October and we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and look forward to Halloween and the Day of the Dead celebrations, it’s a perfect time for a Del Toro binge watch.”
– Jenni, Community Relations Specialist
Music Recommendations
Stream and download free music through Freegal with your Bellingham Public Library card! There you’ll find a great selection of Latinx music to listen to throughout Hispanic Heritage Month and year-round. You can search for artists, songs, albums, and playlists created by other Freegal users!
Library staff recommend:
“Blending avant-pop, Latin, opera and flamenco musical styles, this innovative and effervescent album is an experience I keep returning to.”
– Lark, Public Services Clerk
Book Club Kit Titles for Hispanic Heritage Month
Bellingham Public Library offers a wide selection of book club kits that each contain 10 copies of the same title and a general reading guide for discussion. Book club kits check out for 32 days and can be reserved for pickup on a specific date. For more information, visit the Book Club Resources page.
Links for More Information
