Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, Fun Library Events

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Libraries throughout Hillsborough County are celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with Spanish book readings, special events and youth art contests.

The official start of National Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 and wraps up Oct. 15. Adults can also take part in appreciating Hispanic culture by learning to cook postres and Latin American desserts.

Free Online Events Include The Following:

• Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m.: The One Book One Night program includes readings in English and Spanish of “The Soul of a Woman’’/Mujeres del alma mía by venerated author Isabel Allende. Registration includes a chance to win a free book.
• Sept. 28, 6:30 p.m.: The Book e-Club for Kids will celebrate “Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote: A Migrant’s Tale’’ by Duncan Tonatiuh. Register here.
• Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.: The Book e-Club title is “The Lost Book of Adana Moreau’’ by Michael Zapata. Register here.
• Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m.: Library staff will share Books That Changed My Life: Hispanic Heritage. Staff will share recommendations of Latino authors and stories that have made an impact on them, plus shine a spotlight on library resources for finding great books. Recommended for all ages. Register here.
• Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m.: Cultural Cooking: Postres. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning how to make some of our favorite postres, or desserts. Wellness chef and holistic life coach Chef Mira will show how to make traditional Latin American desserts that will be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Recipes include: quesitos, pastelitos de guayaba, arroz con dulce. Register here.
• Oct. 12, 5:30 p.m.: Celebrations Around the World: Día de los Muertos. Take a glance at the music, food, customs, and culture of special occasions around the globe. The spotlight will be on Día de los Muertos. Recommended for all ages. Register here.

Hispanic Heritage Art Contests

The bookmark contest is open for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Details in English can be found here; in Spanish, here.

The poster contest is open to students from grades nine through 12. Details in English can be found here; in Spanish, here.

Prizes for each contest include art supplies and professionally printed bookmarks or posters. Looking for inspiration? See last year’s winning entries here.

Curated Reading Lists

Library staff has curated book lists for readers of all ages to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Curated lists include books for adults, books for children and teens, and drawing books for kids and teens.