Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

The theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together."

"We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988." - For more information, click here.

"From September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the heritage, history, traditions, and cultural diversity of Hispanic Americans whose heritage is rooted in Spain and 19 countries and territories: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

This heritage month is celebrated mid-September to mid-October to highlight the independence of several countries. September 15 is the day that five Latin American countries celebrate their independence from Spain: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18. Also, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day, or Día de la Raza, in mid-October, falls within this 30-day period." - For more information, click here.

Events 

Places We Call Home: Claudia Castro Luna, opens a new window at Olympia Timberland Library Wed. 9/18 6:30 to 8:30 pm (after hours) WA Poet Laureate (2018-2021) 

Bilingual Story Time/Hora de cuentos bilingue 9/21 at Olympia Timberland Library 10:30-11:30 

Bilingual Story Time/Hora de cuentos bilingue 9/21 at Shelton Timberland Library 10:30-11:30 

Bilingual Story Time/Hora de cuentos bilingue 9/21 at Elma Timberland Library 2-3 

Virtual (online) Bilingual Story Time/Hora de cuentos bilingue 9/25 10-1030 Wed. 10/9 10-1030  

Talk Time English Conversation Circle Thursdays at Lacey Timberland Library 6-7 pm 

Salsa Night at the Yelm Library, opens a new window Sat 9/28 6:30-7:30 

Learn about Hispanic Heritage Month: 

Online Resources: 

Contemporary Musicians 

Biographical information on important figures in today's musical arena, covering artists working in all genres of modern music, including rock, jazz, pop, rap, rhythm and blues, folk, New Age, country, gospel, and reggae. 

Gale eBooks 

Enjoy an award-winning, hassle-free eBook experience—anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Gale’s eBook platform provides comprehensive support from many of today’s top publishers.

Whether you’re looking for homework aids, how-to manuals, or travel tips for your next trip, Gale eBooks will have you covered.

Content can be translated into 40 languages, while the platform itself can be translated into more than 30 languages. ReadSpeaker text-to-speech technology allows audio files to be downloaded and saved onto any mobile device and read aloud in nearly 25 languages.

Global Road Warrior 

A comprehensive resource for learning about culture, customs, history, and language worldwide. Global Road Warrior consists of 174 Country Guides with 119 topics each. No other single resource covers so many topics so well for so many countries.

  • Research issues in international and cross-cultural studies, international business, the social sciences, women’s studies, language studies, and study abroad programs.
  • Deep coverage of difficult-to-find country information related to culture, business, travel, and local living.
  • Global Road Warrior is mobile friendly, automatically adapting to the screen size of any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Stream Films on Kanopy

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Kanopy’s film collection, showcasing the richness and diversity of Hispanic stories and cultures. This carefully selected lineup features narratives that delve into the vibrant histories, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic communities. Whether exploring historical events or personal journeys these movies invite viewers to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Hispanic heritage. Our easy-to-use application makes it simple to access your favorite Hispanic movies and TV series on the go or from home on your TV, mobile device, or tablet.

Legacy Washington

Legacy Washington documents extraordinary stories in Washington history. This collaborative venture, spearheaded by Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, relies on original sources at the Washington State Library, the Washington State Archives and heritage organizations across the state. The work of Legacy Washington can be found in libraries around the country and museums of Washington.

Libby (OverDrive) eBooks & audio App 

Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more for free! Libby is the newer library reading app by OverDrive, loved by millions of readers worldwide.

Explore the collection through catalog guides, subjects, featured titles, and curated lists. It's a delight to discover new books through Libby.

The app can be downloaded for Android, iPhone, and Kindle or used in a web browser by visiting libbyapp.com in your Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge (Chromium) browser.  

Mango Languages 

Learn 70+ languages and American Sign Language (ASL) at your own pace. Practice includes reading, writing, and listening in online lessons.

Our favorite Mango features include:

  • Real-world conversations that won’t leave you lost in translation.
  • Voice Comparison for matching your pronunciation with native-speaker audio.
  • Listening & Reading Activities for reinforcing learned material and building new skills.
  • Personalized Review System that adapts to your individual learning pathway.
  • Culture Notes for unique insights into different cultures.
  • Mango Movies for learning through engaging, authentic content.

Booklists for All Ages:


Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Booklist for Children

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Booklist for Teens

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Booklist for Adults

National Resources:

National Hispanic Heritage Month Events (The Library of Congress)

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month (Smithsonian)

Key facts about U.S. Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage Month (Pew Research Center)

State Resources: 

Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs 

Featured artists of Hispanic heritage who are part of Washington's State Art Collection. 

TRL is committed to the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. TRL Celebrations recognize significant events throughout the year to promote a culture of inclusion, representation, and belonging that reflects communities we serve, and encourage connection to the richness and diversity of our communities and the world at large.